Trustees of Reservations

CraneExplorer: Beach Detectives

Explore the beach and discover treasures washed up by winter waves at the Trustees of Reservations Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts

Explore the beach and discover treasures washed up by winter waves. Piece together clues to learn what is living under the sand and below the water line. We will use field guides to identify shells, egg cases, seaweed and more to tell the story of what creatures are using the winter beach. After a beach walk, we will bring some treasures back to The Casino at Castle Hill to learn more about our beach finds over hot chocolate.

When: 
Saturday, December 17, 2022 11am-1pm
Thursday, December 29, 2022 9-11am
Location: 
Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
Ipswich
Trustees of Reservations
Science
Marsh
Hike
Walk
Beach

Coastsweep Beach Cleanup Ipswich

The Trustees of Reservations hosts a Coastsweep marine debris cleanup at Crane Beach and other costal areas in Ipswich Massachusetts!

As part of COASTSWEEP Beach Cleanup, volunteers are encouraged to come to Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate to help in the statewide effort to keep our coastline clean along the shore in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Trash collected will be measured and analyzed, and the data will be sent to Washington DC to aid the government in creating legislation to minimize trash in our oceans!

When: 
Saturday, October 22, 2022 10am
Location: 
Crane Beach on the Crane Estate
Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate
Ipswich
Volunteer
Ecology
Environment
Green
CoastSweep 2022
Cleanup
Trustees of Reservations

CraneOutdoors: Castle Neck Riverboat Tour

Tour the waters of Essex Bay estuary aboard the Trustee's pontoon boat Osprey!

Join us for a cruise in Essex Bay aboard our pontoon boat the Osprey! We’ll view the seldom seen backside of the Crane Wildlife Refuge and take a turn around Choate Island to view the open fields, wooded hillside and historic structures from the water while hearing stories and learning fun facts about the area from our veteran riverboat captains.

When: 
Wednesdays & Fridays through September 2022 Times Vary
Select Mondays Through September 2022 Times Vary
Location: 
Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate
Ipswich
Tour
Exploration
Boat Ride
Trustees of Reservations

Summer Saturday Sessions at Appleton Farms

Down on the Farm Summer Concert Series at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts

Join Appleton Farms for their Summer Concert Series at Appleton Farms! Join us on Saturdays this July and August for live music from local artists and bands during our Farmhouse picnics. Grab some food made fresh in the farmhouse kitchen and a spot on the lawn while enjoying the some free tunes.

When: 
Saturdays July & August 2022 2-4pm
Location: 
Appleton Farms
Ipswich
Food
Farm
Outdoor Activity
Concert
Trustees of Reservations

Summer Concert Series at The Stevens-Coolidge Place

Stevens-Coolidge Estate hosts the Notch Travelling Bier Garden weekly on Fridays for their Summer Concert Series in North Andover Massachusetts

Join us for our summer concerts in the gardens. We’ll have Notch Brewing biergarten and a local food truck for you to enjoy while soaking in the act of the evening. This is a BYO chair event, we also recommend bug spray.

When: 
Fridays July 8 - September 26, 2022 6-8PM
Location: 
Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens
North Andover
Trustees of Reservations
Concert
Live Performance
Live Music

Notch Traveling Biergarten at Castle Hill

Come to the Notch Brewery Biergarten at the Trustees of Reservations' Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts

The Notch Traveling Biergarten is stopping by Castle Hill. Enjoy a tasty session beer while taking in the magnificent views from the Grand Allee. Bring a picnic lunch or grab a bite from onsite vendor Empanada Dada. A limited number of picnic tables will be available. Picnic blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. Interested? Simply make advance Castle Hill general admission reservations. No separate ticketing required.

When: 
Sunday, June 26, 2022 Noon-4pm
Location: 
Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
Ipswich
Trustees of Reservations
Gardening
Picnic
Outdoor Activity
Story Telling
Games
Hike
Walk

Autumn Apple Harvest Workshop at Appleton Farms

From the Orchard: Autumn Apple Harvest workshop with Carlyn Grieco at Appleton Farms in Ipswich

It’s apple season in New England and we’re honoring this favorite crop in our farm kitchen!  We’ll prepare a complete menu including both sweet & savory dishes using apples sourced from local orchards, with recipes such as Apple, Onion, & Cheddar Tart, Brick Chicken with Roasted Apples, Sage, & Cider Pan Gravy, Sweet & Sour Braised Red Cabbage with Apples, Caramel Apple Bread Pudding.

When: 
Thursday, October 18, 2018 6-9pm
Location: 
Appleton Farms
Ipswich
Farm
Instruction
Cooking
Cuisine
Trustees of Reservations
Workshop
Culinary
Pie
Apples

Ipswich Triathlon at Crane Beach

Runs Swim and bike a triathlon at The Trustees of Reservations' Crane Beach in Ipswich MA!

Run, swim and bike a YMCA sponsored triathlon at Crane Beach in Ipswich Massachusetts!  The course is a ½ mile ocean swim followed by a 2 mile beach run consisting of varied terrrain (sand, rocks, grass, pavement, and trails) and a 9 mile bike ride finishing back at Crane Beach.

When: 
Friday, August 25, 2017 4:30pm (Registration)
Race Start: 5:45pm
Location: 
Crane Beach
Ipswich
Health
Triathalon
Run
Bike
Swim
YMCA
Trustees of Reservations

Patriots Day on Castle Hill

The Trustees of Reservations' Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts

For the first time, the The Trustees of Reservations will open the Great House at Castle Hill for tours on Patriots Day.  Grab the family and take the Guest of the Cranes tour on the hour and our roof tour, Cupola with a View, at 11:30 AM and 1:30PM.  Unique gifts are available at our gift shop with 10% off for Trustees members.  Last tour of the day is at 3PM.

When: 
Monday, April 16, 2018 10am-4pm
Location: 
Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
Ipswich
Patriots Day
Trustees of Reservations
Tour

Family Pop-Up Days

Holt Hill at Ward Reservation is marked with Solstice Stones and has panoramic

Select weekends this fall, let us help you explore the fall foliage of Ward Reservation. With craft activities, games, story times, and scavenger hunts to take with you on the trail, we have all you need to create a memorable nature adventure fit for the whole family. Activities can be found up on Holt Hill. Drop in anytime between 10am and 1pm Story Times at 10:30 and 12:30

When: 
Saturday, October 24, 2015 10am-1pm
Story Times at 10:30am & 12:30pm
Location: 
Ward Reservation
Andover
Crafts
Games
Story Telling
Scavenger Hunt
Trustees of Reservations

Pages

Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts offers farm-based Summer Programs for kids ages 5-15

Bruins Pajama Drive
Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore as part of the Boston Bruins PJ Drive.
From February 1 through March 15, Cradles to Crayons®, the Boston Bruins, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and Wonderfund are coming together with organizations in your community to collect new pajamas for local children living in low-income and homeless situations. Together, we are...
7:00 am to 9:00 pm
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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!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
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Wenham Museum Spring/Summer Sports Sale
Spring & Summer Sports Sale at Wenham Musseum in Massachusetts
Back by popular demand! After a successful inaugural sale in 2024, Wenham Museum’s Spring & Summer Sports Sale returns for its second year. In keeping with the Museum’s former Attic Treasures Sale tradition, the Spring & Summer Sports Sale brings the community together for a fun and...
Where: Wenham Museum
10:00 am to 6:00 pm
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Friday, March 21

Music Together - Friday
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...
Where: Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham
10:30 am to 11:15 am
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Appleton Culinary Workshop: Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken Pot Pie Culinary Workshop at The Trustees of Reservations Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts
Is there anything better than a chicken pot pie for dinner on a chilly night? Learn how to make this classic pie from complete scratch with our baker Kami. From all butter pie dough, to utilizing chicken bones to make stock for the gravy base, you will leave this class with the knowledge of how to...
Where: Appleton Farms
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
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Saturday, March 22

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!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Music Together - Saturday
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...
Where: Grace Episcopal Church in Salem
9:15 am to 11:15 am
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Nice n' Easy Hike at Breakheart Reservation
Nice and Easy winter hike at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Massachusetts
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
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Wenham Museum Spring/Summer Sports Sale
Spring & Summer Sports Sale at Wenham Musseum in Massachusetts
Back by popular demand! After a successful inaugural sale in 2024, Wenham Museum’s Spring & Summer Sports Sale returns for its second year. In keeping with the Museum’s former Attic Treasures Sale tradition, the Spring & Summer Sports Sale brings the community together for a fun and...
Where: Wenham Museum
10:00 am to 6:00 pm
♦ Read More →

All Family Field Trips - Coastal Winter Wildlife
Joppa Flats Education Center host an outing at the Salisbury Beach State Reservation in Massachusetts
Come explore what nature has in store at some of our most amazing wild places on the north shore. Our engaging and experienced staff will introduce families to local beaches, forests, and wetlands to make observations in nature, identify wildlife, and enjoy hands on science activities outdoors....
Where: Salisbury Beach State Reservation
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
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First Aid, CPR & AED Training at ESM
Get First Aid, CPR or AED Certified in this workshop at Essex Shipbuilding Museum in Massachusetts
Take a CPR, First Aid, and AED Certification Course hosted by the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum at the charming Museum School House. Gain essential life-saving skills and the confidence to handle emergencies with ease.
Where: Essex Shipbuilding Museum
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
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Guided Tour | When Granite Was King!
Find out the story behind the history of granite quarrying at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport, Massachusetts!
Halibut Point State Park is also a granite quarry with a history that goes back billions of years! Over one hundred years ago, the Rockport Granite Company quarried granite stone here.
Where: Halibut Point State Park
11:00 am to 12:30 pm
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CraneOutdoors: Family Winter Wildlife Walk
Come explore the dunes on Castle Neck and Crane Beach in Ipswich Massachusetts to learn about winter wildlife.
A CraneOutdoors Family Winter Wildlife Walk will take you on a stroll through the Crane Beach dunes while learning about the plants and animals that call this special place home. You may be familiar with Crane Beach, but have you ever visited the dune trails? The dunes of Castle Neck are a much...
Where: Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
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