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
Landmark Summer Experience at Landmark School in Beverly Massachusetts

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

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

Christmas at Castle Hill | A Nod to Nature

Christmas at Castle Hill | A Nod to Nature is a weekend of festivities hosted by the Trustees of Reservations at Castle Hill in Ipswich Massachusetts
Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s event celebrating the beauty of the natural world. You’ll see birds, flowers, snowflakes, and more as you view 18 spaces decorated for the holidays.
10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

A holiday themed tour of Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
Travel back in time to a castle filled with lush, opulent textures inspired by the great medieval and Renaissance castles of Europe. Wander through rooms adorned with White Birch and Christmas trees, sparkling fairy lights, hydrangea-lace garlands, and elegant bows, each space transformed with its...
10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Take a Trolley Ride with Scrooge!

Salem Trolley Christmas Carol, Fun Holiday Events north of Boston, Trolley Ride with Scrooge
Join Scrooge on the Salem Trolley as you ride through Salem Massachusetts in this rolling production performed by the Griffen Theater . Now entering into it's 39th Season, this humorous & whimsical interactive performance reanimates Dickens’ timeless seasonal holiday classic. Experience...
2:00 pm to 9:30 pm

The Nutcracker Panto

Come enjoy a Nutcracker Panto performed by Theater in the Open at the Firehouse Center for the Arts!
Theater in the Open is happy to be back at the Firehouse for our production of A Nutcracker Panto, written by Edward F. Speck and adapted from the classic holiday ballet. Presented in the traditional British panto style, this holiday send-up is a family friendly romp through Clara’s adventure with...
7:00 pm

Saturday, December 13

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

Breakfast with Santa

Kids will enjoy breakfast with Santa at the Hamilton Wenham Community House
Come and enjoy a continental style breakfast and get your picture taken with Santa. We will also have a letter writing station and music entertainment.
8:00 am to 12:30 pm

Middle Street Walk 2025

The lighting of the Lobster Trap Tree is part of Middle Street Walk's finale in Gloucester Massachusetts.
The Annual Middle Street Walk is a great way to experience Gloucester's Historic District and waterfront while having Holiday fun with the family.
9:00 am to 5:00 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

Boot Camp For Birth Support & Beyond

Boot Camp For Birth Support & Beyond for caregivers at Beverly Hospital in Massachusetts
Most education surrounding childbirth focuses on the person carrying the child, as it rightly should. Those in the role of supporting childbirth (spouses, significant others, couples using a surrogate, etc) should be equally as prepared for the joys and challenges in store. In this class you’ll...
9:00 am to 11:00 am

Newburyport Holiday House Tour 2025

Newburyport Holiday House Tour hosted by the Newburyport PTO Kitchen Tour
Enjoy touring private residences and unique spaces throughout Greater Newburyport, all decorated in holiday style both inside and out. Your self-guide tour will lead you through each of our homes all decked out both inside and out in holiday style reflecting the homeowner’s individual celebrations...
9:30 am to 4:00 pm

Christmas at Castle Hill | A Nod to Nature

Christmas at Castle Hill | A Nod to Nature is a weekend of festivities hosted by the Trustees of Reservations at Castle Hill in Ipswich Massachusetts
Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s event celebrating the beauty of the natural world. You’ll see birds, flowers, snowflakes, and more as you view 18 spaces decorated for the holidays.
10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Middle Street Walk Gingerbread Contest 2025

Middle Street Walk Gingerbread Contest entries can take any shape.
Everybody is invited to enter the Gingerbread Contest for the Middle Street Walk in Gloucester this year! Groups and individuals are encouraged to get creative and come up with entries that can take any shape.  All entries will be judged prior to the start of the Middle Street at 10am. 
10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

A holiday themed tour of Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
Travel back in time to a castle filled with lush, opulent textures inspired by the great medieval and Renaissance castles of Europe. Wander through rooms adorned with White Birch and Christmas trees, sparkling fairy lights, hydrangea-lace garlands, and elegant bows, each space transformed with its...
10:00 am to 8:00 pm
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