Trustees of Reservations

Winter Birding at Crane Beach

Come explore the world of our resident winter birds here at Crane Wildlife Refuge in Ipswich Massachusetts

Come explore the world of our resident winter birds here at Crane—beyond the Snowy Owl! Bring your binoculars (or borrow ours!) and join us in searching the water for Loons, Long-Tail ducks, Eiders, Scoters, Mergansers, and more! In the trees and sky, we might spot birds of prey, including owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles, alongside hardy songbirds and woodpeckers. A variety of shorebirds round out the viewing possibilities! How do these birds stay warm, find food, and otherwise survive our chilly winters? We’ll learn about bird identification techniques, anatomy, and adaptations, and how to use field guides and birding apps available to anyone with a smartphone.

When: 
Saturday, March 4 & 18, 2023 12-2pm

Castle Hill Butterfly Encounter

Come to the Butterfly Encounter in the gardens at Castle Hill in Ipswich Massachusetts!

The Trustees of Reservations hosts the Butterfly Encounter in the gardens at Castle Hill Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts.  You will hear directly from a giant monarch butterfly puppet, who will recount the adventures growing up in the milkweed patch, metamorphosis and then the amazing journey across continents.

When: 
Saturday, July 15, 2023 1-1:45pm

Father's Day at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens

Celebrate Dad at the Father's Day Bash at the Trustee's Stevens Coolidge Place

Join the The Trustees of Reservations and get outside with your family this Father’s Day! Celebrate Dad at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, where We will have good tunes, good food, and good brews along with lawn games. Stroll the gardens during golden hour before settling in for a show by Cold Chocolate.

When: 
Sunday, June 18, 2023 5-7pm

CraneOutdoors: Riverboat to Choate Island & Hike

Tour the waters of Essex Bay estuary aboard the Trustee's pontoon boat Osprey followed by a hike on Choate Island!

There are few places on the North Shore that more reliably enjoy spectacular views than the back side of Crane Beach, overlooking Essex Bay. On this riverboat outing into the heart of the Essex River basin, we will be setting sail in the protected waters of the Crane Wildlife Refuge, one of the most scenic sections of the Great Marsh—the largest contiguous salt marsh in New England.

When: 
Saturday-Monday, May 27 - June 26, 2023 12pm-3pm
Wednesdays, June 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2023 12pm-3pm
Fridays, June 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2023 12pm-3pm

Castle Hill Picnic Concert - The Great Escape

The Great Escape brings the music of Journey to Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts.

Part of the Thursday Night Picnic Concerts at Castle Hill at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, this is a great way to get together and have fun with the whole family in an exclusive setting. You can pack a picnic dinner, bring the kids, and get ready to dance the night away under the stars on the Grand Allée. Explore the landscaped grounds and the family "Eye Spy."

When: 
Thursday, August 17, 2023 6:30-8:30pm

Castle Hill Picnic Concert - Psychedelic Relics

Psychedlic Relics will perform at the Trustees of Reservations' Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts.

Part of the Thursday Night Picnic Concerts at Castle Hill at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, this is a great way to get together and have fun with the whole family in an exclusive setting. Castle Hill Picnic Concerts are back! Pack a picnic supper and enjoy an evening of live music on the magnificent Grand Allee. Stroll the grounds and explore the newly restored gardens while you enjoy a night out on the estate. Gates open at 5PM for picnicking. Advance ticket reservations are recommended but not required.

When: 
Thursday, July 20, 2023 7-9pm

Warm Up at the Cape Ann Discovery Center

Head outdoors at Ravenswood Park, then warm up by the fire with a hot cocoa at the Cape Ann Discovery Center in Gloucester

Kick off the new year with Winter Happenings at the Cape Ann Discovery Center at Ravenswood Park--Nordic skiing, snowshoe rentals, outdoor children's activities. Warm up afterwards with hot cocoa by the woodstove. [Fee for snowshoe rentals--Members $10, Nonmembers $20.]

When: 
Weekends through Winter 2016 10am-3pm
Location: 

New Year's Resolution Scavenger Hunt

Join this fun New Year's Resolution Scavenger Hunt at the Stevens-Coolidge place in North Andover

Stop by The Stevens-Coolidge Place from Monday, December 30 to Sunday, January 12 to get a jump start on those 2020 resolutions! Just inside the white gate at the front door of the the house, you’ll find a scavenger hunt list on the brick patio to get you started exploring all that 2020 has to offer. On the sheet, you’ll find a list of 15 common resolutions, turned into a call to action that will take you through the property. Borrow one and find what’s in store for you in the new year! This activity is suitable for all ages and is best completed in groups of 2 or more. Get outside and explore this winter!

When: 
Daily December 30, 2019 through January 12, 2020

Winter Fun at Castle Hill

Beat those winter blues and make the most of February vacation by getting outside at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts

Beat those winter blues and make the most of February vacation by getting outside! Every afternoon February 16-22, join us for winter fun for all ages at the Crane Estate from noon-4pm (we recommend you arrive by 3pm). Check in at the front desk in the main gallery of the house then plan your adventure! Roast s'mores around an outdoor fire pit, go on a winter scavenger hike, do an outdoor activity (see below), or cozy up inside with daily story time and a seasonal craft.

When: 
Daily, February 16-22, 2020 Noon-4pm

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A Landmark Summer Experience at Landmark School in Beverly Massachusetts prepare students for success in the fall and beyond.

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...
9:15 am to 11:15 am

Family Open House: Winter Wildlife Wonders

Stop by as part of Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport for a family oriented open house! Photo: Eastern Bluebirds © Cheryl Rose
Drop in to learn what mammals, birds, insects and sea creatures do in the winter! Test your knowledge and skills at a science station, examine natural objects with our new bioscope, and take home a fun nature craft or two. Family presentations with Miss Lisa at 11am and 2pm. Great for families and...
10:00 am to 3:00 pm

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.
11:00 am to 12:30 pm

Befriend the Barnyard

Befriend the Barnyard is a hands-on barnyard experience at the Trustees of Reservations' Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts
Discover our special barnyard animals! Our Angora rabbits Violet, Mabel, Oiver and Charles; Nubian goats Maeve, Morgana, and Mordred; dairy cows Gray, Jasmine, their calves Gigi and Joanie and our friendly flock of heritage chickens will take center stage as we learn about what makes them so unique...
11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Winter Carnival Fundraiser

Come to the Winter Carnival, a fundraiser for Sweet PAws Rescue, at Barewolf Brewing in Amesbury Masssachusetts
Sweet Paws Rescue's 2nd Annual Winter Carnival is back at BareWolf Brewing in Amesbury, Massachusetts! Try your luck at their ticketed games: Ring Toss, Nerf Shots, Snowball Baskets, Claw Machine, & more! Enjoy other activities for kids: crafts, face-painting, photo booth, raffle. ALL TICKET...
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Dungeons & Dragons Club at Essex Library

The Essex Massachusetts Library hosts a Dungeons and Dragons club for local kids.
Enjoy a the role playing game Dungeons and Dragons on Mondays, 5:30-7pm with Student Dungeon Master, Gus Hall. Spaces are limited, register early!
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

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.
9:30 pm to 11:30 pm
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