February 2nd is Groundhog day – the day we find out whether we are in for an early spring or 6 more weeks of winter. Get your kids together and enjoy a fun morning of Groundhog Day stories and crafts in the great house, followed by a fun outdoor exploration and a snack!
Tap into your childhood and celebrate the season with this very special adult Gingerbread House workshop!! We’ll cover all things gingerbread from making and baking the gingerbread pieces, to learning how to easily assemble houses that won’t crumble! From there, it’s all about creative fun decorating your very own gingerbread house to display & eat throughout the holidays! Class includes hands-on assembly and decorating, instruction, printed recipes, and take-home gingerbread house. Byob beer & wine allowed.
Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition for many New England families. Don't miss this year's spectacular "Christmas by the Sea". Each room in our 1920s mansion is festively decorated by florists, designers, garden clubs, or volunteers. You'll find live music and dance, fresh baked cookies and cider, a treasure hunt, family activities, and a visit with Santa.
Its pie time and we have you covered for the Thanksgiving holiday! Come to the farm kitchen to learn all the basics for making delicious country-style pies including techniques on tender pie crust, rolling & assembly, and proper baking.…..all while keeping it fun, simple, and stress-free. Everyone will make & take home an unbaked 9" deep dish Apple-Cranberry Pie to bake for the holiday! Plus, we'll savor and share the recipe for another seasonal pie favorite! Additional pie recipes will be included in the recipe book, and class will enjoy coffee & pie at the end of the workshop. BYOB is allowed.
Join Appleton Farms for the Down on the Farm Fall Concert Series at Appleton Farms! These family-friendly concerts will feature live music, food trucks, lawn games, and an opportunity to meet our dairy cows and farm animals. series continues with a performance by Rust Never Sleeps. Bring your own picnic or purchase food from Joe's on a Roll and CopperDome Pizza. Beer and wine will also be available for purchase from Ipswich Ale and Old Planters Brewing.
Join The Trustees of Reservations for an afternoon hiking tour of Choate Island. What could be better than a Choate Island hike AND picnic? This special spot is the jewel in the crown of the Crane Wildlife Refuge, and is only accessible by boat. Join us for a rare chance to explore the cultural and natural history of this treasure. Participants will be led on a modest trek that will go past the Proctor Barn, White Cottage, and Choate House before landing all the way to the top of the island where spectacular views await. A picnic lunch (sandwich, fruit, cookie, drink) for each participant will be prepared by our award-winning Inn at Castle Hill.
Come celebrate Weir Hill's 50th anniversary as a Trustees property and the grand opening of the Weir Hill Stevens street parking lot. In partnership with Friends of North Andover Trails join us for a beautiful fall foliage hike to celebrate Weir Hill! The hike will be somewhat hilly and strenous but definitely family friendly and leashed dogs welcome. Enjoy cider and other fall harvest goodies to kick off the hike. The ribbon cutting will take place at 1:15 and the hike will leave shortly after. Come celebrate this special place! This is a free event.
The Great House at Castle Hill is open for tours on Columbus Day. Grab the family and take the Guest of the Cranes tour on the hour and our roof tour, Cupola with a View, at 11:30 AM and 1:30PM. Unique gifts and food options are available at our gift shop and Grab and Go cafe with 10% off for Trustees members. Last tour of the day is at 3PM.
When the sun starts to go down a whole new world comes alive. Owls wake up from a long days rest, tree frogs call in the distance, stars create a magical light display, your body changes in accomadate the new world, and so much more. Join us for an evening walk at Appleton Farms where our Farm Educator will show you what amazing things exist when the night begins. You will learn night animal sounds, explore for nocturnal creatures, experience how the human body changes at night with hands on activities to test things like your night vision, and enjoy the mood of Autumn with some warm apple cider and smores.
Come to Appleton Farms every Sunday at 4PM to see our Jersey heard being milked. See the cows bring brought in from pasture, get a look at the milking up close and ask our dairy farmer a few questions! Perfect for kids and adults alike. While you are here take a peek in the cheese kitchen viewing room, visit with our other barnyard animals or have a picnic in the stone paddock!
