Trustees of Reservations

CraneExplorer: Shipwreck Scholars

Families learn about shipwrecks at Castle Hill and Crane Beach in Ipswich Massachusetts

Coastal views with a side of shipwreck! Participants will be guided on a hike from the Casino to Steep Hill Beach, while learning about local nautical history, including the role of Fox Creek Canal and Robinson Boat Yard in the area’s shipbuilding legacy, and the fascinating tale of the schooner Ada K Damon, wrecked on Steep Hill Beach in 1909. Participants will have the chance to make observations and measurements of the shipwreck, to learn how MA Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources and The Trustees are working to research and preserve this exciting part of our cultural history.

When: 
Saturday, March 8, 2025 Noon-2pm

CraneOutdoors: King Tide Hike

Come learn about how the moon isonly part of the king tide puzzle at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts

This high tide is royalty! Here’s your chance to see the king….tide that is. Join us for a hike to learn about extreme high tides, known as king tides, which are happening more often due to environmental change. These extreme tides have a variety of impacts on coastal infrastructure, including restricted access on low lying roads, flooded buildings, and impacts of erosion, debris, and salt-water intrusion/damage. The king tide also provides us with a window to the future, illustrating what an average high tide might look like in a few decades due to sea level rise. On this hike you will learn what causes king tides, see the tidal impacts first-hand, and learn what The Trustees are doing to increase the coastal resilience of our treasured coastal environments.

When: 
Sunday, March 30, 2025 Noon-3pm

Children's Maple in the Barnyard at Appleton Farms

Visit Appleton Farms' sugaring operation and learn about making maple sugar syrup!

Maple Season is here! This special program for ages 3-11 & their families will focus on the magic of maple from start to finish. We will discover this tradition by observing trees, tasting sap, learning the tools involved, and finally, tasting the sweet product. We will make sure to have time to visit our barnyard animals!

When: 
Saturdays, February 8-March 1, 2025 10:45am, Noon, 1pm or 2pm
Location: 

Little Sprouts in the Garden: All About Birds

During February school vacation, it’s all about birds at Long Hill Gardens in Beverly Massachusetts

Engage your curious budding gardener or adventurer in our new Little Sprouts in the Garden series, a monthly themed program to connect your child with the natural world around us. During February school vacation, it’s all about birds! Join us for an interactive and hands-on hike and workshop! Take a walk through the gardens of Long Hill and learn about birds, their eco-systems, habitats, and the different types of birds around us! Then in our classroom space, participants will create their very own bird houses using sustainable and recyclable materials.

When: 
Thursdays through August 28, 2014 3:30-4:30pm

CraneExplorer: Valentine's Coastal Craft

Make Valentines crafts from materials that we find along the shore at the Trustees of Reservations Crane Estate in Ipswich, Massachusetts

The Trustees of Reservations invites ages 12 and up to a valentine craft making workshop! This Valentine’s Day, give a gift from the sea! From seaweed pressings to shell collages, beach treasures make beautiful greetings and keepsakes. Join this workshop to learn fun craft ideas and make marine art with our coastal educators. This program will start with a beach walk to collect coastal treasures, and then we will head inside for crafting. Materials and inspiration provided.

When: 
Sunday, February 8, 2025 10am-Noon

CraneOutdoors: First Day Hike in the Dunes

Hiking the Dunes at the Crane Wildlife Refuge with the Trustees of Reservations.

While just about everybody on the North Shore has probably been to Crane Beach, the dunes of Castle Neck are a much less explored world unto themselves. Offering one of the most accessible dune ecosystems north of Cape Cod, Castle Neck has over six miles of trails, traversing the dunes, maritime scrub forest, and beautiful beaches on both the Ipswich Bay and Essex/Castle Neck River estuary sides of the peninsula. These trails take you through Pitch Pine forests, up huge dunes offering stunning views of Choate Island, and by the varied landscapes of Castle Neck, including naturally occurring cranberry bogs.

When: 
Wednesday, January 1, 2025 1-3:30pm

Intro to Sourdough Bread Workshop at Appleton Farms

Learn the ins and outs of sourdough bread at Appleton Farms in in Ipswich Massachusetts!

In this workshop, participants will learn to make bakery-quality bread with local flour in their home oven. Culinary Program Manager Jess Porter will demonstrate mixing, folding, shaping, proofing, scoring, and baking Appleton’s flagship Farmstead Sourdough. We will discuss sourdough starter maintenance as well, as each new baker will be taking home some of Appleton’s own sourdough starter. Participants will be involved in hands-on experience mixing and shaping their own loaves, with the option of taking them home to bake! Class ends with fresh bread and a seasonal accompaniment to enjoy.

When: 
Friday, January 17, 2025 6-8pm
Location: 

CraneOutdoors: Winter Solstice Hike and Fire Pit Adventure

Hike to Cedar Point at the Crane Wildlife Refuge with the Trustees of Reservations in Ipswivch Massachusetts.

Join us for a beautiful hike to Cedar Point to celebrate the Winter Solstice! Winter at the Crane Estate has much to offer, and while just about everybody on the North Shore has probably been to Crane Beach, Cedar Point is a much less-explored part of the property. Offering maritime scrub forest, woodland Trails, beaches, and beautiful views of Fox Creek. These trails take you through Pitch Pine forests, prestine beach, Castle Hill views and the varied landscape of the Crane Estate.

When: 
Saturday, December 21, 2024 2-4pm

CraneOutdoors: Sunday Family Snowy Owl Prowl

Join the Trustees of Reservations at dlife 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.

When: 
Sundays,December 1-29, 2024 1-3pm
Saturdays December 7-28, 2024 10am-Noon

A Colorful Christmas at Castle Hill

A Colorful Christmas by the Sea is a weekend of festivities hosted by the Trustees of Reservations at Castle Hill in Ipswich Massachusetts

Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s Travels with the Cranes. Each room in our 1920s mansion is decorated for the holidays drawing inspiration from Crane travels around the world, including Paris, Japan, Egypt, and New York.

When: 
Fridays through December 20, 2024 2024 4-8pm
Saturdays through December 21, 2024 10am-4pm
Sundays through December 22, 2024 10am-4pm
Tuesday-Saturday, December 26-30, 2024 10am-4pm
Sensory-friendly Hours: 10AM-11:30AM on Dec 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, & 22

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Summerquest Camp for kids aed 5-14 at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts

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

Read to Keeva at HW Library

Read to Keeva a certified therapy dog at the Hamilton Wenham Public Library in Massachusetts
The Therapy Dog is In! Drop by starting at 3:30pm to get 10-minutes of one-on-one reading time with Keeva and her trainer, Ms. Fleming. Keeva provides a calm, welcoming space for emerging readers to practice their read-aloud skills.
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Saturday, April 19

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

Salisbury Beach Earth Day Cleanup

Come volunteer for a community cleanup at Salisbury Beach Massachusetts on Earth Day
Come volunteer for a community cleanup at Salisbury Beach Massachusetts on Earth Day! Make a positive impact this Earth Day with
9:00 am to 11:00 am

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

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

Family Open House: Caring for the Coast

Family Open House: Caring for the Coast at Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport Massachusetts
To celebrate Earth Month, our Family Open House will focus on ocean and coastal conservation and what we are doing to protect beaches and wetlands. Drop in to see our tide pool touch tank and meet some moon snails, hermit crabs and sea stars! Learn about shorebird protection and find out what lives...
10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Tortoise & Hare 10k/5k Race & Color Run

Tortoise & Hare 5k/10k & Color Run raises funds for the Recreation Department in Salisbury Massachusetts
Come celebrate the arrival of Spring at the Tortoise and the Hare 5K & 10K and Color Run!! The color run is not timed, but sure to be fun! The event continues to fundraise for the Salisbury Parks and Recreation.
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Sunday, April 20

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

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

Monday, April 21

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
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