17th Century Saturdays on the North Shore

Learn about 17th century life on the North Shore & Essex County north of Boston

Essex county is home to an extraordinary collection of homes, buildings and artifacts from America's First Period (1625-1725) of European settlement. Explore these architectural treasures and discover what is was like to live in Essex County during America's first century.

Various properties are open to the public on the first Saturday of each month, June - October, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

The North of Boston region has more historic houses and structures built during America’s “First Period” of architecture (1625-1725) than any other region in the U.S. Easily recognized by such features as a steeply-pitched roof line, prominent central chimney and asymmetrical casement windows, First Period homes were built by early settlers who made their way north to expand the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Nearly 200 examples of these architecturally significant treasures, many of which are still privately owned, exist in Essex County.

17th Century Saturdays will highlight 29 of these buildings.

Amesbury
Macy-Colby House, c. 1654
257 Main Street
978-388-1500
June, July, August, Sept, Oct

Beverly
The Balch House, c. 1636
448 Cabot Street
978-922-1186
beverlyhistory.org
June, July, August, Sept, Oct

The Hale Farm, c. 1694
39 Hale Street
978-922-1186
beverlyhistory.org
June, July, August, Sept, Oct

Danvers
Judge Samuel Holten House, c. 1670
171 Holten Street
generalisraelputnamchapter.org
June, July, August, Sept, Oct

Gloucester
Cape Ann Museum - The White-Ellery House, c. 1710
245 Washington Street
978-283-0455
capeannmuseum.org
June, July, August, Sept, Oct

Haverhill
John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace, c. 1688
305 Whittier Road
978-373-3979
johngreenleafwhittier.com
June, July, August, Sept

Ipswich
Paine House at Greenwood Farm, c. 1694
Jeffrey's Neck Road
978-356-4351
thetrustees.org
June, July, August, Sept, Oct

Whipple House, c. 1677
1 South Village Green
978-356-2811
ipswichmuseum.org
June, July, August, Sept, Oct

Marblehead
17th Century Walking Tour 1629-1720
Beacon Street at Norman Street
781-631-1762
marbleheadtours.com
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
June, July, Sept, Oct

Newbury
Coffin House, c. 1678
14 High Road
978-462-2634
historicnewengland.org
June, July, August, Sept, Oct

Dole-Little House, c. 1715
289 High Road
978-462-2634
historicnewengland.org
June, Oct

Spencer-Pierce-Little Farm, c. 1690
5 Little's Lane
978-462-2634
historicnewengland.org
June, July, August, Sept, Oct

Swett-Ilsley House, c. 1670
4 High Road
978-462-2634
historicnewengland.org
June, July, August, Sept, Oct

Newburyport
Old South Church, c. 1756
29 Federal Street
978-465-9666
oldsouthnbpt.org
June

North Andover
North Andover Historical Society - Parson Barnard House, c. 1715
179 Osgood Street
978-686-4035
northandoverhistoricalsociety.org
June, July, August, Sept, Oct

Peabody
Nathaniel Felton Jr. House, c. 1700
43 Felton Street
978-977-0514
peabodyhistorical.org
tours at 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. - August & September

Salem
Gedney House, c. 1692
21 High Street
978-744-0440
historicnewengland.org
June, July, August, Sept, Oct

The House of Seven Gables, c. 1668
115 Derby Street
978-744-0991
7gables.org
June, July, August, Sept

Narbonne House, c. 1675
71 Essex Street
978-740-1652
nps.gov/sama
June, July, August, Sept, Oct

Peabody Essex Museum
161 Essex Street/East India Square
978-745-9500
pem.org
A Point in Time - June, 1 p.m. only
John Ward House, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., tours at 11:30 a.m.

Salem in 1630 (Pioneer Village)
Forest River Park
salempreservation.org
July, August, Sept

The Witch House (Jonathan Corwin House)
310 Essex Street
978-744-8815
corwinhouse.org
June, July, August, Sept, Oct

Saugus
Boardman House, c. 1692
17 Howard Street
978-768-3632
historicnewengland.org
June, July, August, Sept, Oct

Saugus Iron Works, c. 1646
244 Central Street
781-233-0050
nps.gov/sair
June, July, August, Sept, Oct

Wenham
Claflin-Richards House (Wenham Museum), c. 1660
132 Main Street
978-468-2377 ext. 105
wenhammuseum.org
June, July, August, Sept, Oct

When: 
First Saturday of the month June - October 2014
Summerquest Camp for kids aed 5-14 at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, Massachusetts, offers a delightful self-guided walk that is perfect for families with children. The park's 480-acre expanse, once the Moseley Estate, is rich with historical charm and natural beauty. Families can embark on a self-guided tour through lush...
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

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

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

“Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser Storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
Enjoy this pre-school StoryWalk® at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time in nature! “Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser is featured in this StoryWalk Series. Younger kids will love this gentle, richly illustrated children’s nonfiction book aimed at preschool–third grade...
7:00 am to 8:00 pm

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

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

The Backyard Growcery

Join Backyard Growers at Burnham's Field in Gloucester Massachusetts for a weekly Farmer's Market
Stop by Gloucester’s new weekly farmers market, the Backyard Growcery, managed by Backyard Growers. The Backyard Growcery is located at Burnham's Field, an urban park near Gloucester’s thriving waterfront, and features small-scale North Shore farmers, bakers, a seafood vendor, an artisanal pizza...
2:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Topsfield HomeGrown Market

Come to Topsfield Massachusetts Common for a homegrown market on the Wednesdays through July
The mission of the HomeGrown Market is to provide the Topsfield community with a series of family-friendly events that emphasize supporting local and offer the opportunity for Topsfield and surrounding North Shore farmers, gardeners, artisans, creators, performers, musicians, nonprofits, young...
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Stargazing at Mendel Observatory

Mendel Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night
The Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night (weather permitting) starting at dusk or 7:30 pm, whichever is later.  When special astronomical events of interest occur (total lunar eclipses, etc.) the Obs
7:00 pm

Thursday, July 10

Castle Hill Picnic Concert - Entrain

Entrain brings rock funk jam music to the Crane Estate in this Thursday evening
Looking for a fun family outing on the North Shore of Massachusetts? Don't miss the Thursday Night Picnic Concerts at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich! These concerts offer a perfect opportunity to enjoy quality time with your loved ones in a beautiful and exclusive setting on the North...
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Friday, July 11

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

“Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser Storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
Enjoy this pre-school StoryWalk® at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time in nature! “Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser is featured in this StoryWalk Series. Younger kids will love this gentle, richly illustrated children’s nonfiction book aimed at preschool–third grade...
7:00 am to 8:00 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

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, Massachusetts, offers a delightful self-guided walk that is perfect for families with children. The park's 480-acre expanse, once the Moseley Estate, is rich with historical charm and natural beauty. Families can embark on a self-guided tour through lush...
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

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
10:00 am to 4:00 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

Friday Night Party at Salisbury Beach

Salisbury Beach Summer Beach Party every Friday through the Summer.
Get ready for family fun every Friday night all summer long at Salisbury Beach! Starting at 7:15 PM on the Salisbury Beach stage, enjoy a full evening of summer tunes and excitement. DJ Ralphie B will be spinning your favorite hits, while hosting kid-friendly activities that will keep everyone...
7:15 pm to 10:00 pm

Saturday, July 12

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

“Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser Storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
Enjoy this pre-school StoryWalk® at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time in nature! “Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser is featured in this StoryWalk Series. Younger kids will love this gentle, richly illustrated children’s nonfiction book aimed at preschool–third grade...
7:00 am to 8:00 pm