Living History

Patton Homestead Military Service Day

Come experience miltary history and family fun at the Patton Homestead in Hamilton Massachusetts

This year’s timing will be historically significant. Our country will be celebrating the 250th  Anniversary of the American Revolution 1775-2025 as well as the birthday of the United States Army. This will be the last year of our country’s National Commemoration of the Vietnam War as we dedicate a heartfelt “Welcome home and thank you.” 

When: 
Saturday, July 19, 2025 10am-4pm
Location: 

Kids Pub | Salem

History Alive, Inc.  in Salem Massachusetts hosts a 17th Century Pub for kids Fridays in October!

History Alive, Inc.  in Salem Massachusetts hosts a 17th Century Pub for kids Fridays in October! This experiential learning environment is perfect for kids and adults to learn about 16th century leisure through music, stories, games and historical treats! Feel free to dress  up for this time travel experience.  Note: This is a child friendly event and no alcohol will be served in the pub.

When: 
Fridays, October 6-November 2, 2023 6-8pm
Location: 

Tours of the Nao Trinidad Tall Ship

The Custom House Maritime Museum proudly hosts the tall ship replica Nao Trinidad comes to Newburyport

The Custom House Maritime Museum proudly hosts the tall ship replica Nao Trinidad as it sails into Newburyport flying the Spanish flag. This ship is a replica of Megellan's historic vessel, the original Nao Trinidad. Magellan completed a groundbreaking nautical circumnavigation of Earth voyage between 1519 and 1522, and was revered for the most remarkable maritime achievement of that time. This awe-inspiring 200-ton sailing vessel is meticulously crafted by the Fundacion Nao Victoria, the same private foundation responsible for the renowned tall ship, El Galeon, which graced the port of Newburyport in the past.

When: 
Daily, July 1-9, 2023 9am-6pm

Reading Frederick Douglass Together

Reading with Frederick Douglass at Hale Farm in Beverly Massachusetts will feature "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?"

The Hale Farm is hosting a community reading event of Frederick Douglass's famous speech titled "What to the American Slave is the Fourth of July?" The event is part of the Reading Frederick Douglass Together initiative and will feature Nathan Richardson portraying Frederick Douglass. The event is a collaborative effort involving the City of Beverly, North Shore NAACP, Salem United, Waring School, and other organizations. Special guest speakers will also be present.

When: 
Saturday, July 1, 2023 10-11AM
Location: 

Revolutionary War Militia Muster!

Come by the Newburyport Custom House to see Captain John Wood’s Company, Colonel Gerrish’s 25th Regiment of the Massachusetts Grand Army on our back green!

The Custom House is celebrating Essex National Heritage Area’sTrails & Sails on Saturday,  with a Revolutionary War Militia Muster on the back green. This reenactment event will highlight Newburyport’s role in the American Revolution. Visit our back lawn to see Captain John Wood’s Company, Colonel Gerrish’s 25th Regiment of the Massachusetts Grand Army. The group will interpret a unit that was raised in Newbury, Massachusetts in 1775, as well as Virginia riflemen who stopped in Newburyport on their way to Arnold’s Expedition to Canada.

When: 
Saturday, September 25, 2021 10am-3pm
Appleton Farms offers great farm-based Vacation Week Programs for kids ages 5-11

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 16th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, Massachusetts .
8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Crescent Farm Corn Maze

Crescent Farm corn maze in Haverhill Massachusetts
Imagine the biggest puzzle you’ve ever seen. Now imagine a day in the sunshine with your friends or family. Now add an adventure that takes teamwork and memory skills. All these things and more can be found at Crescent Farms Corn Maze. Crescent Farm Corn Maze trails cut into 9 acres of corn. Inside...
9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a self guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
This self-guided walking tour is designed to help explain the true history behind the Salem Witch Trials. After more than three centuries of storytelling through countless books, movies, and television shows, the line between historical fact and dramatic fiction has become increasingly blurred....
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Haunted Happenings Marketplace

The Haunted Happenings Marketplace runs Thursdays-Sundays during October in Salem Massachusetts
The Haunted Happenings Merchant Marketplace is coming this October! Get ready for a one-of-a-kind shopping extravaganza throughout Historic (and some say haunted) Downtown Salem!
10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works House Tours

Free Ranger guided tours of the Saugus Iron Works House in Massachusetts
Join National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a 30-minute tour of The Iron Works House.
11:00 am

Saugus Iron Works Tours

Free Ranger guided tours at Saugus Iron Works Colonial Industrial Site in Massachusetts
Join the National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a tour of the colonial industrial site. On select days, you may be able to stick around and witness pop-up molten iron pour, blacksmithing, waterwheel demonstrations, and take part in hands-on river stewardship activities.
2:00 pm

Salem Farmers' Market

The Salem Farmer's Market bring the goodness of local farm to downtown Salem!
The Salem Farmers' Market brings fresh local produce and other foods from North Shore farms and other local resources to downtown Salem every Thursday at  Bentley Academy Charter School!
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Friday, October 3

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 16th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, Massachusetts .
8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a self guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
This self-guided walking tour is designed to help explain the true history behind the Salem Witch Trials. After more than three centuries of storytelling through countless books, movies, and television shows, the line between historical fact and dramatic fiction has become increasingly blurred....
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Crescent Farm Corn Maze

Crescent Farm corn maze in Haverhill Massachusetts
Imagine the biggest puzzle you’ve ever seen. Now imagine a day in the sunshine with your friends or family. Now add an adventure that takes teamwork and memory skills. All these things and more can be found at Crescent Farms Corn Maze. Crescent Farm Corn Maze trails cut into 9 acres of corn. Inside...
9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Haunted Happenings Marketplace

The Haunted Happenings Marketplace runs Thursdays-Sundays during October in Salem Massachusetts
The Haunted Happenings Merchant Marketplace is coming this October! Get ready for a one-of-a-kind shopping extravaganza throughout Historic (and some say haunted) Downtown Salem!
10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works House Tours

Free Ranger guided tours of the Saugus Iron Works House in Massachusetts
Join National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a 30-minute tour of The Iron Works House.
11:00 am

Saugus Iron Works Tours

Free Ranger guided tours at Saugus Iron Works Colonial Industrial Site in Massachusetts
Join the National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a tour of the colonial industrial site. On select days, you may be able to stick around and witness pop-up molten iron pour, blacksmithing, waterwheel demonstrations, and take part in hands-on river stewardship activities.
2:00 pm

Topsfield Fair - Opening Day

Topsfield Fair opens the gates at 1pm Friday! Topsfield Fair is one of the longe
The Topsfield Fair is a perennial favorite for us.  We're not the biggest fans of the midway, although it is always worth a walkthrough and a ride or two.  We love fruits and vegetables, and are always on the lookout for the winning 'biggest pumpkin'.  Another favorite is checking out the pigs and...
4:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Halloween on the Hill

The Trustees host a celebration of Autumn and Halloween at Long Hill Sedgewick Gardens in Beverly Massachusetts
The Trustees of Reservations invite you to tour the gardens at Long Hill Gardens in Beverly, Massachusetts to celebrate Autumn and Halloween! Long Hill is excited to bring back our annual Halloween on the Hill event! Come explore our beautiful property as we transform the Long Hill gardens into a...
5:00 pm to 8:30 pm
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