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

Todd Farm Market

Come to Todd Farm on Sunday - A classic New England Fleas Market in Rowley Massachusetts!
From early Spring to late Fall, Todd Farm is a great Sunday destination for families!  Head to the farm and explore the outdoor award-winning Market featuring up to 240 vendors from all over New England and New York!
5:00 am to 3:00 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

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

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

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

Newburyport Farmers' Market

Newburyport Farmers find organic locally grown produce, meat, dairy Newburyport
The Newburyport Farmers Summer Market celebrates local fresh produce every Sunday morning rain or shine!  Start your Sunday browsing fresh North Shore local produce, meats, cheeses, and seafood in an open air market atmosphere! Food and beverage vendors offer fresh hot coffee, breakfast treats and...
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Crane Outdoors: Kayak Adventure on the Castle Neck River

Take a guided kayak paddle adventure on the Castle Neck River with the Trustees of Reservations!
One of the best was to enjoy the natural beauty of the Massachusetts North Shore is kayaking the placid waters of the Great Marsh—the largest continuous stretch of salt marsh in New England, extending from Cape Ann to New Hampshire. The Castle Neck peninsula on the Crane Estate is a vast barrier...
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

North Andover Farmers' Market

North Andover Farmers Market every Sunday Through October 2, 2022
The North Andover Farmers Market is the perfect destination for anyone living in the Merrimack Valley or the North Shore to shop and enjoy locally-sourced products. The market will take place in the center of town at the intersection of First Street and Main Street. The market has become known for...
10:00 am to 1:00 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

Long Hill Garden Tours

Tour the Gardens at the Trustees of Reservations Long Hill Gardens in Beverly, Massachusetts!
The Trustees of Reservations invite you to join our expert guides for a tour around Long Hill’s stunning Sedgwick Gardens and learn more about the special plants. Visit Long Hill’s breathtaking gardens and stately historic house for a guided tour. Enjoy the rich history of this grand country estate...
11:00 am to 12:00 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

Ipswich Greek Festival

Ipswich Greek Festival at the Hellenic Center in Ipswich Massachusetts
Come to Ipswich Massachusetts for the Annual Greek Festival: A 75-Year Tradition in Greater Boston and the North Shore! Experience one of the longest-running and most cherished traditions in Greater Boston, MA, and the North Shore area—the Greek Festival! For over 75 years, this event has been a...
12:00 pm to 6:00 pm

CraneOutdoors: Choate Island Kayak and Hiking Adventure

Take a guided kayak paddle and hike to Choate Island with the Trustees of Reservations!
Join The Trustees of Reservations for a paddle and a hike – what better way to spend an afternoon? Kayaking the pristine, sheltered waters of the Essex River Basin offers one of the top on-the-water experiences to be had in Northeast. Add to that a hike on the area’s largest island and you have the...
1:00 pm to 4:30 pm

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

Sunday STEAM Club at North Shore Children's Museum

Visit Peabody MA, NorthShore, North Shore Children's Museum
Join in on Sundays at 2:30 for STEAM Club for ages 5-11. Each week participants will explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math with our NSCM staff! Every STEAM club session will see your kids participating in hands-on activities while exploring a new topic. Space is limited, please...
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

Sundays in Patton Park

North Shore Free Concerts for North Shore Families at Patton Park in Hamilton Massachusetts
Come enjoy community and music each Sunday in Patton Park! Dust off your lawn chairs and bring your picnic down to the park on Sunday evenings. We have a fantastic line up of bands this summer ---presented by Institution for Savings Bank and sponsored by The Community House, Town of Hamilton, HW...
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Summer Concert Series at Lynch Park

Free Summer Concerts hosted by Bev Rec at Lynch Park in Beverly Massachusetts
Enjoy free concerts this Summer at Lynch Park in Beverly, Massachusetts!  Families are encourages to grab a chair and a blank and head to the park for a free concert at Lynch Park's ampitheater.
Where: Lynch Park
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Summer Concert Series at Stage Fort Park

Compaq Big Band is just one of the perfromers in the Summer Concert Series at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester Massachusetts!
Come enjoy a Summer evening sea-side concert at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester Massachusetts! The Cape Ann Community Band under the direction of David Benjamin, plays their annual summer concerts Sundays at the at the Antonio Gentile Bandstand, Stage Fort Park, Hough Avenue, Gloucester MA.
6:30 pm

Tuesday, July 15

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

Gloucester Gratis Days at Hammond Castle

Bring your kids to the Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts during April Vacation
In keeping with John Hays Hammond, Jr's original vision for his seaside castle-home to serve as a museum offering the Gloucester community access to ancient works of architectural art, Hammond Castle Museum will offer Gloucester residents free, self-guided tours each Tuesday throughout the regular...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays

Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays includes great dining live music, dancing & extended shopping hours for shopping Downtown Ipswich Massachusetts Tuesday evenings!
Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays includes great dining, live music, dancing at the Take-Out Terrace Stage on the Riverwalk  & extended shopping hours for shopping Downtown Ipswich Tuesday evenings!  Each week will feature live entertainment on the Riverwalk, making for a fun evening out for the whole...
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Manchester by the Sea Summer Concert Series

Summer Concerts happen at Masconomo Park in Manchester by the Sea every Tuesday through the Summer!
Come to Manchester Tuesday nights all summer for the annual Music in Masconomo Summer Concert Series. Each week from 6:00 - 8:00 pm a variety of Oldies, Swing, Rhythm & Blues & Classic Rock music will fill the air! Bring your family and friends, blankets and chairs, and dinner to enjoy a...
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

The North Shore Concert Band at Salem Willows

Kids enjoy the North Shore Concert Band performance at Salem Willows Park in Massachusetts
The North Shore Concert Band will perform its annual Summer Series of free outdoor concerts at the Robert Hayes Bandshell at Salem Willows Park beginning Tuesday, June 25th. 
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Wednesday, July 16

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