Archaeology

Digging up the Past at the John Balch House

Become an archaeologist at the historic John Balch house in Beverly Massachusetts

Have you heard the expression, “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure”? Become an archaeologist at the historic John Balch house with this program focusing on excavations performed at the house in 1998. Examine a selection of objects found during the dig, find out about what they were used for and when they were using it, then get your hands dirty by digging in a makeshift pit yourself! Tours of the house are offered throughout the day.

When: 
Saturday, September 28, 2024 9:30am-4pm
Location: 

AtlAtl Days in Danvers!

See an ancient weapon demonstration at the Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Danvers Massachusetts as part of Trails and Sails!

Come to Rebecca Nurse Homestead to try your hand at ancient hunting practices! The technique of using an atlatl, or spear throwing stick, is an ancient global technology. Join us, along with the Eugene Winter Chapter of Mass Archaeological Society, as they teach you the finer points about hunting in the ancient world! Stop by the Rebecca Nurse Homestead and hunt a woolly mammoth or woolly rhinoceros. Fun and educational for adults and kids of all ages. Wooly mammoth tooth and mastodon tooth and tusk will be on display along with samples of Native American Artifacts found in Danvers. This event is FREE as part of Trails & Sails! If you would like to visit the Nurse Homestead museum, paid admission is required.

When: 
Saturday, September 28, 2024 9am-3pm

Dirt Detectives

Come to Spencer-Pierce-Little Farm and give your kids a shot at archaeology!

October is Massachusetts Archaeology Month! Participants become archaeologists as they excavate a mock pit with actual tools of the trade and process reproduction artifacts in a field lab. Inside the museum, they explore building archaeology via trap doors. They analyze objects to learn about daily life at the farm over the last three hundred years.

When: 
Monday, October 23, 2023 10am-12:30pm

Digging for History in Danvers!

Dig for History at the Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Danvers as part of Trails and Sails!

Come to Rebecca Nurse Homestead and get your hands dirty with us as you become an archaeologist for the day! Working alongside professionals from the University of Southern Maine, kids and adults can try their hand at digging and uncovering pieces of history. Over the past decade we have uncovered thousands of artifacts on our site that have given a glimpse into the lives of those who have walked these grounds for the past millennia…What will you discover?

When: 
Saturday, September 23, 2023 10am-3pm
Saturday, September 24, 2023 10am-3pm

Archaeology Day at Maudlsay State Park

Learn about the archaeology of and the first people of Massachusetts of Maudslay State Park in Newburyport.

Maudslay State Park invites you to be an archaeologist for the day!  Learn how to think like an archaeologist…excavate a test unit, screen for and identify artifacts, and document and record soil levels.  Other activities focus on the extensive and rich peopling of the area dating back thousands of years.  Find out why this place was and is so special to the First People of Massachusetts. Learn how to use a bow-drill, grind corn with a mortar and pestle, weave a fishing net, make a ground stone-tool fishing weight, make a ceramic pot in the traditional indigenous way, play the game of Hubhub, bring an artifact for the experts to ID, and even try your hand (arm) at throwing an atlatl!

When: 
Saturday, October 6, 2018 10am-2pm

Family Fun with Archaeology

Peabody Institute on Archaeology hosts a FREE family-friendly event features interactive, hands-on activities geared toward all ages

Come dig up some fun at the Peabody Institute on Archaeology during February Vacation week! This FREE family-friendly event features interactive, hands-on activities geared toward all ages. Explore activity stations where you can test your color knowhow, make your own Grecian vessel, learn to writeunderwater, construct amazing structures out of LEGO, and more!

When: 
Thursday, February 20, 2020 9am-Noon

Maritime Archaeology and Heritage on the Wharf

Celebrate 400 Years of Maritime History at Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts!

Join the Salem Maritime National Historic Site and Dr. Calvin Mires, Co-Founder and Instructor of Seafaring Education and Maritime Archaeological Heritage Program (SEAMAHP) in bringing maritime heritage to life through hands-on activities. Although we won't actually be practicing archaeology, visitors young and old will have the opportunity to use the tools and methods of archaeological research, survey and documentation.

When: 
Saturday, September 24, 2016, 11am-4pm (Open Doors)
Glen Urquhart School Pre-K through 8th grade in Beverly MA

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

Countdown to NYE with KEEVA! at HW Library

Celebrate New Year's Eve with Keeva the Therapy Dog at the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library.
Welcome in the New Year with Keeva, a certified Therapy Dog, and her trainer Pat Fleming! Hear about her important therapy work, and then enjoy treats, crafts, and games. Designed for children ages 3 years and up. No registration needed.
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Lego Time at MPL

Children in grades 2 and up are invited to come to the Manchester Massachusetts Library's Lego Club
Drop-in, unstructured Lego building fun! Come with friends or come to make new ones, this program is for kids ages six and up. 
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Tuesday, December 31

New Years Eve

12:00 am to 11:59 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

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

Music Together - Tuesday in Marblehead

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® of Salem classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

CraneOutdoors: Family Snowy Owl Prowl

Join the Trustees of Reservations at the Crane Wildlife Refuge in Ipswich Massachusetts in search of the Snowy Owl!
Wide-open coastal sites are the location of choice for wintering Snowy Owls; common perches are dunes and salt hay staddles. In winters past, these owls have been frequent visitors to the Crane Wildlife Refuge.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Noon Year's Eve Party at NSCM

Peabody Museum for Children, NorthShore Children's MuseumNew Year's Eve Party
Ring in the New Year at noon with North Shore Children’s Museum! You and a special stuffed animal friend are invited to celebrate with us on Tuesday, December 31 from 10AM-12PM. Tickets include access to our 14 different exhibits, a New Year’s Magic Show with special guest Tom Foolery, New Year’s...
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms

Kids can meet the barnyard animals and hear a story at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts.
Barnyard stories really come alive when you get to see the main characters in real life! Bring the kids down to Appleton Farms for our farm-fresh version of story time. Explore the farmstead, visit our learning garden, see our cows and rabbits, and find a spot to play under a shady tree in our...
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Rockport New Year's Eve 2024

Family Friendly New Year's Eve celebration for kids and families in Rockport Massachusetts.
Rockport New Year’s Eve (RNYE) is a family-friendly year-end celebration of the arts held in downtown Rockport, Massachusetts annually since 1996. Halls, churches, town offices, and some streets are taken over by happy revelers celebrating the New Year.
4:00 pm to 11:59 pm

Launch! Salem

Celebrate New Years Eve at Salem Massachusetts' Town Hall with your family!
Come ring in the New Year with us!  Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem are teaming up to throw LAUNCH!, our family-friendly New Year’s Eve party, on Tuesday, Dec. 31 from 4:30 pm to 6 pm on Artists’ Row at 24 New Derby Street. There will be an early countdown just before 6 pm.
4:30 pm to 6:00 pm

Wednesday, January 1

Music Together - Wednesday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
9:30 am to 11:15 am
Subscribe to Archaeology