History

Blacksmithing Demo at Saugus Iron Works

Join the staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a blacksmithing demonstration during Sails and Trails

Join the staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a blacksmithing demonstration. How was iron turned into tools for the colonists? Join a park ranger for a special blacksmithing demonstration in a replica colonial blacksmith shop. Learn about the tools of the trade, explore the different ways iron was used by the colonists, and watch metal be transformed right in front of you! Part of Trails & Sails

When:

Thursday, September 21, 2023 1-3pm

Location:

Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

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Slightly Spooky Salem Tours for Kids & Families

Kids will love this slightly spooky walking tour in Downtown Salem, Massachusetts!

This tour combines true tales from Salem’s past with some mild ghost stories just for kids. Our aim is not to scare the heck out of your kids, but to provide a little shiver and bit of mystery for kids who like ghost stories. This tour follows a route that is near the downtown, but it’s a little off the beaten path, very picturesque, and you’ll feel as if you stepped back in time. The tour ends at our historic and creepy Broad Street Cemetery, which was established in 1655. Meets at 316 Essex Street.

When:

Thursdays-Saturdays through August 2023 Times Vary

Location:

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CraneExplorer: Reading the Trail – Tracking

Learn about reading tracks and other signs of wildlife at the Crane Wildlife Refuge in Ipswich Massachusetts.

Join this indoor workshop followed by dune hike to learn tracking basics and identification skills allowing you to experience the outdoors in a new way. Enjoy an indoor presentation on tracking at the Casino at Castle Hill, then reconvene at Crane Beach for a guided dune walk, investigating the trail for footprints, scat, burrows, and other signs left behind by dune dwellers. Via our observations, we will collect clues as to what animals are using this habitat. Bring your sharp senses and observation skills for this learning adventure.

When:

Sunday, January 22, 2023 11am-2:30pm

Location:

Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

Trustees of Reservations

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CraneExplorer: Music in Nature

Come to the Crane Estate to make music in the peaceful pine grove in ipswich Massachusetts

This program has been canceled! Join this interactive program to make music in the peaceful pine grove, learn about the sounds of nature, and about how music has filled the air at The Crane Estate throughout the years. Enjoy a creative lesson and then create your own music using provided instruments, your own brought from home, or your own homemade instrument made from natural objects using the provided materials.

When:

Saturday, May 27, 2023 10am-Noon

Location:

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

Ipswich

Trustees of Reservations

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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

Location:

Rebecca Nurse Homestead

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Fish Flake Hill Walking Tour

Tour the Fish Flake Hill Historic District in Beverly MA as part of Trails & Sails. Photo: drying of fish on fish flakes on Water Street.

Join Historic Beverly for a walking tour of Fish Flake Hill Historic District! The historic structures of the oldest area of the city, Fish Flake Hill, are the sites of the town’s revolutionary and early maritime industries, and home to many of Beverly’s merchants and sea captains. This area was also the town’s primary business district into the mid-19th century.

When:

Saturday, September 16, 2023 2-3pm

Location:

Fish Flake Hill Historic District

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Plum Island Lighthouse Tour

Be prepared to climb a steep ladder to get a view from this iconic Light House. Photo: Plum Island Light House ©2015 Bill O'Connor

Enjoy a panoramic view of Salisbury, Newburyport, and the Isles of Shoals and much of Cape Ann while learning about the history of the Plum Island Lighthouse. Send an email to friendsofpilight@gmail.com to request a 15-minute tour of the light on tour days, you’ll get an email back from our kind volunteers with availability. Please be aware that we reserve the right to have to cancel tours due to weather, unanticipated maintenance or other various factors. Rain dates are not available.

When:

Saturday, May 27, 2023 10-1

Saturday, June 24, 2023 10-1

Saturday, July 22, 2023 10-1

Saturday, August 5, 2023 10-1

Saturday, August 26, 2023 10-1

Saturday, September 9, 2023 10-1

Location:

Plum Island Lighthouse

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Patton Homestead Military Service Day

Come experience miltary history and family fun at the Patton Homestead in Hamilton Massachusetts

The mission of this public event is to highlight and honor military service and veterans. The event is a day-long exhibition of vintage military vehicles, equipment, military reenactors, speakers – both veterans and academics – and other veteran-related attractions, held on the grounds of the home of one of America’s most famous and celebrated military families. Admission is FREE to the public.

When:

Saturday, July 15, 2023 10am-4pm

Location:

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Gloucester Maritime Rendezvous

The Gloucester Maritime Rendezvous celebrates the combined heritage of two great fishing towns and their connection to the sea. Gloucester, Massachusetts and Luneburg, Nova Scotia. In this annual tradition, once more the Gloucester International Dory Racing Committee hosts the Canadian Dory Rowing Association from Nova Scotia to compete against the best dory rowers from Gloucester, going head-to-head on Gloucester's historic harbor. Boat tours and deck tours happen daily and there are many opportunities available to sail aboard the particitpating vessels!

When:

July 6-9, 2023

Location:

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Hands on History

Each weekend in July and August the House of 7 Gables invites young (and young at heart!) guests to explore different elements of colonial life through hands-on activities. These drop-in programs will run 11 A.M. to 3 P.M. Saturdays and Sundays and are free with the purchase of admission. This summer, we will be exploring traditional children’s games and the art of calligraphy. Stop in for some hands-on fun!

When:

Weekends through August 2023 11am-3pm

Location:

House of Seven Gables

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

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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Music Together - Tuesday in Marblehead

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...

Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead

10:00 am to 10:45 am

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Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms

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...

Where: Appleton Farms

10:30 am to 11:30 am

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Chess Club at Salem Public Library

Salem Public Library the library is hosting weekly chess nights where players of all ages can play and learn from each other. Whether you're new to the game or a veteran player, all skill levels welcome, and basic instru

Where: Salem Public Library

6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

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Saturday, April 26

LEGO Club at Salem Public Library

Salem Public Library hosts a morning session of LEGO fun! We provide the LEGO, you provide the imagination. Stop by the library on Saturday mornings (every other Saturday) to play and build.

Where: Salem Public Library

10:30 am to 11:30 am

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Earth Day Live Animal Demo at Halibut Point

DCR hosts a live animal demonstration at Halibut Point State Park to celebrate Earth Day! Live frogs, turtles, and salamanders, our vernal pond ambassadors, will visit Halibut Point with Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team.

Where: Halibut Point State Park

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

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Fairy Gnome Discovery Walk at Pettengill Farm

Come to the tenth annual Fairy Gnome Discovery Walk at Pettengill Farm. The gems of the event are the near 200 Fairy and Gnome Homes peppered throughout a 1 mile wooded path that leads to the salt marsh and back. Homes are created by very talented professionals, families, school children, and local...

Where: Pettengill Farm

11:00 am to 3:00 pm

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Live Animal Presentation at Halibut Point

Come to a Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team presentation at Halibut Point State Park to get an up-close view and learn all about vernal pond cre

Where: Halibut Point State Park

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

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YMCAs Healthy Kids Day in Danvers

The Danvers YMCA is holding a free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active all summer long. Healthy Kids Day®, the Y’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being. Free community event on Saturday, April 26 (12:30-3:00) with fun for the whole...

Where: Danvers Community YMCA

12:30 pm to 2:30 pm

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Sunday, April 27

Todd Farm Market

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!

Where: Todd Farm Market

5:00 am to 3:00 pm

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

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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Beverly YMCA Rhino Run 10k

Join North Shore YMCA and the Beverly YMCA host the 'Rhino Run 10k'. North Shore YMCA reinvests millions of dollars each year through financial assistance and scholarships to ensure thousands of families and individuals in the 25 communities we serve have access to programming, services and the...

Where: Lynch Park

9:00 am

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Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

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.

Where: Boston Common and Boston Public Garden

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

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April Vacation at MIT Museum

Come on your own, with friends, or bring the whole family to the museum for a special week of programming. The museum has a number of activities and pop-up surprises planned for the week of April 17-23. See our week-at-glance calendar to view the extended hours and additions for our drop-in...

Where: MIT Museum

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

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History

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Saturday, April 26

Sunday, April 27