State Park

Watching the Coastal Edge at Halibut Point

Meet at the Halibut Point State Park visitors center to learn about the role Halibut Point has played in America’s military history. One day after the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, U.S. enhanced defenses with coastal patrols and built a network of watch towers at ocean edges. One tower, completed in 1944, now serves as Halibut Point State Park’s newly renovated Visitor Center! We’ll provide a guided “tower tour/talk” about Halibut’s military history and the then cutting-edge technology.

When:

Sundays, January 4-March 8, 2026 11am-12:30pm

Location:

Halibut Point State Park

Read more about Watching the Coastal Edge at Halibut Point

Willowdale Mansion Tour

Tanke a tour of the Willowdale Mansion at Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield MA

The historic tour of Willowdale Estate covers historic background, context and conversation about the Arts & Crafts style mansion. Here is your chance to go inside the Willowdale Mansion (willowdaleestate.com) for a unique guided tour. Now an event and wedding venue, this over 100 years-old Arts and Crafts style home has been beautifully restored. The second floor is not accessible. Best for ages 8 years & up.

When:

Mondays, July 1-August, 2024 10:30-11:30am

Location:

Read more about Willowdale Mansion Tour

Off the Beaten Path Hike

Come for a stroll with the Park Interpreter along various trails throughout the park, with special interest points noted. Hike is of moderate difficulty, about 2 miles. This is best for ages 8 years and up. Meet at the Main Parking Lot, 40 Asbury St., Topsfield.

When:

Saturdays, June 22-August 31, 2024 1-2pm

Location:

Bradley Palmer State Park

Read more about Off the Beaten Path Hike

Country Estate to State Park: Bradley Palmer's Gift

Estate tour at the Bradley Palmer State Park in Hamilton Ipswich Massachusetts

Experience wealthy attorney Bradley Webster Palmer’s extravagant early 1900s world as you take a 3/4 mile outdoor tour of the mansion, stable, a once celebrated formal garden, and other surviving buildings. Hear how Mr. Palmer donated his 721 acre estate, now Bradley Palmer State Park, to the Commonwealth. Best for ages 8 years & up.

When:

Sundays, July 7-28, 2024 11am-12:30pm

Location:

Bradley Palmer State Park

Read more about Country Estate to State Park: Bradley Palmer's Gift

Drop-in Open House at the Nature Center

Drop-in Open House at the Bradley Palmer State Park Nature Center in Hamilton Ipswich Massachusetts

Explore the Nature Center at your leisure. The Park Interpreter will be on hand to demonstrate and answer questions. Come see and touch animal furs, replica skulls, animal models, and other natural history materials. For little artists, coloring pages and washable markers will be on hand. Open rain or shine. For ages Pre-K and up. This is a great family activity.

When:

Friday-Sundays & Mondays, June-October 7, 2024 12:30-2:30pm

Location:

Bradley Palmer State Park

Read more about Drop-in Open House at the Nature Center

The Lamson Farm: 1680-Present

Learn the history of the Lamson Farm at Bradley Palmer State Parkin Hamilton Ipswich Massachusetts

Before Bradley Palmer bought the land that became a State Park, it was the Lamson Family farm for over 200 years. Take a stroll to see the remaining farmhouse exterior and other features of the farm. Best for ages 8 years & up.

When:

Saturdays, June-September, 2023 10:30am-Noon

Friday, September 15, 2023 10:30am-Noon

Location:

Bradley Palmer State Park

Read more about The Lamson Farm: 1680-Present

Landmark Skills+ Summer Course at Landmark School in Beverly Massachusetts

Today's Events
Upcoming Events

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Winter Family Field Trip: Terrific Animal Tracking

Mammals such as squirrels, rabbits and deer leave many signs that they are active in winter. Learn how to interpret the tracks and signs or clues of active animals in winter. Stay active and warm with a group challenge about hibernation. Conduct an experiment about snow insulation.

Where: Joppa Flats Education Center

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation

Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately 1 mile, though not accessible for strollers. Appropriate for families with children 3-5 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.

Where: Breakheart Reservation

10:30 am to 11:30 am

♦ Read More →

Unraveling Winters Wild Tales - Animal Tracking for Families

Welcome to the wild world of animal tracking! Participants will learn how to identify animal tracks by focusing on key details such as number of toes, toenail impressions, and overall size of the print.

Where: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

♦ Read More →

Saturday, January 24

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Nice n' Easy Hike at Breakheart Reservation

Join the Park Interpreter for this weekly guided hike! Each trip will highlight natural and historic features unique to Breakheart. Hikes are moderately paced and range from 2-3 miles over sometimes uneven and rocky terrain. Best for ages 8 years and up. Meet at the Visitor Center.

Where: Breakheart Reservation

9:30 am to 11:30 am

♦ Read More →

CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike

Come explore the lesser-visited corners of Castle Hill and its surroundings with us this season. This hike is a CraneOutdoors guide favorite because it’s got a little bit of all the things that make the Crane Estate such a special place…

Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Gloucester's So Salty 2026

Celebrate the fish city’s recognizably salty character with local cultural institutions and businesses during the 5th Annual Gloucester’s So Salty festival sponsored by the Cape Ann Museum in partnership with Discover Gloucester! This annual event brings over 2,000 people to the downtown area each...

Where: Downtown Gloucester, Where: Cape Ann Museum, Where: Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church , Where: Sawyer Free Library Temporary Space, Where: Local Colors

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Native Seed Sowing at Long Hill

Join Cole Campbell, production horticulturist at Native Plant Trust, for this native seed-sowing workshop at Long Hill Public Garden in Beverly, MA. Learn about our native plant seeds, and then get your hands in the soil to sow some seeds that you can take home with you.

Where: Long Hill and Sedgwick Gardens

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

♦ Read More →

Sunday, January 25

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Explore! North Shore: Winter Hike at Moraine Farm

The Explore! North Shore hiking series will get you outside and moving at some lesser explored Trustees properties across the Northeast Region, at the right time of year to see these special places shine. These beginner hikes will not be too strenuous, and will offer frequent stops for learning and...

Where: Moraine Farm

10:00 am to 12:30 pm

♦ Read More →

Gloucester's So Salty 2026

Where: Downtown Gloucester, Where: Cape Ann Museum, Where: Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church , Where: Sawyer Free Library Temporary Space, Where: Local Colors

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Raptor Roundup: Meet Live Birds of Prey at IRWS

Get a close look at some live local birds of prey while keeping warm in our barn! Learn each bird's unique story, discover why raptors play such a vital role in our environment, and explore their amazing adaptations, like keen eyesight and powerful talons, that help them survive in the wild....

Where: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

♦ Read More →

Watching the Coastal Edge at Halibut Point

Meet at the Halibut Point State Park visitors center to learn about the role Halibut Point has played in America’s military history. One day after the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, U.S.

Where: Halibut Point State Park

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

♦ Read More →