Trustees of Reservations

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

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.

When: 
Saturdays, December 7-28, 2024 10am-Noon
Sundays, December 1-29, 2024 1-3pm
December 27 & 31, 2024 10am-Noon
December 26 & 30, 2024 1-3pm

Night Tree Celebration at Appleton Farms

Come to Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts to celebrate the holiday tradition of the Night Tree

Join the Trustees of Reservations at Appleton for this holiday tradition to feed the animals of the forest from your own handcrafted edible ornament. We will begin the night in our historic carriage barn where we will cozy in with hot cocoa and popcorn to read the holiday classic tale “Night Tree” by Eve Bunting alongside of our barnyard friends. After our story, you will make your own edible ornament and garland which will decorate our tree and feed our forest friends. We will walk a wintery lantern-lit path to our “Night Tree” to hang our ornaments and celebrate the season.

When: 
Sunday, December 14, 2024 6-7:30pm
Location: 

CraneExplorer: Coastal Holiday Crafts

Make holiday gifts with beach treasures from the Crane Wildlife Refuge in Ipswich Massachusetts

This holiday season, give a gift from the sea! Beach treasures make beautiful holiday ornaments, jewelry, and keepsakes. Join this workshop to take a beach walk to collect coastal treasures and then make some coastal crafts with our educators. Bring your own shells and beach treasures and we will provide the craft supplies and inspiration!

When: 
Sunday, December 10, 2023 10AM-12:30PM

Christmas Tea at Long Hill

Take a pause from the hustle and bustle this holiday season with a tea at Long Hill Estate in Beverly Massachusetts

The Trustees of Reservations invites you to take a pause from the hustle and bustle this holiday season and join us for a Christmas Afternoon Tea inside the decorated historic Sedgwick house at Long Hill. Enjoy seasonal flavors and Christmas ambiance with teas, savories, and sweets with friends and family. We are excited to partner with Vintage Tea & Cake Co. who will be serving their holiday menu for this exclusive offering! Tables seat up to 4 people.

When: 
Sunday, December 8, 2024 2-4pm

CraneExplorer: Shipwreck Scholars

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

Coastal views with a side of shipwreck! Families will be guided on a Castle Hill hike through the salt marsh, dunes, and 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 marine archaeologists and the Trustees are working to research and protect such artifacts.

When: 
Sunday, December 8, 2024 10am-Noon

Natural Wreath Making Workshop | Appleton Farms

Come to Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts to make your own Holiday Wreath!

Decorate your door with a gorgeous holiday wreath, created from a variety of textural evergreen boughs all foraged from our historic farm property! Join us in our historic barn where we will demonstrate a simple technique for making your wreath. You will then have the opportunity to make your wreath and decorating it with a variety of natural materials such as berries, pine cones, and dried forage.

When: 
Saturday, December 7, 2024 10am or Noon
Location: 

CraneOutdoors: Sunset Hike to Cedar Point

Sunset hike to Cedar Point at the Trustees Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts

The Trustees of Reservations invite you to a sunset hike at the Crane Estate in Ipswich,Massachusetts. There’s no better excuse to explore Cedar Point—the western-most part of the Crane Estate—than a hike at sunset. This two-hour adventure in a lesser-known part of the property has it all…

When: 
Saturday, December 7, 2024 2-4PM

Native Seed Sowing at Long Hill

Seed Sowing Woirkshop at The Trustess of Reservations' Long Hill Gardens in Beverly Massachusetts

Sold Out! Join Erin Hammes, Plant Records and Production Horticulturist at Native Plant Trust, for this native seed sowing workshop. Learn about our native seeds and then get your hands in the soil to sow some seeds that you can take home. Class will be held in the Horticultural Learning Center next to the green house at Long Hill. All materials will be provided. Registration for this class will be at the Native Plant Trust website via the link provided.

When: 
Saturday, December 7, 2024 1-2:30pm

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Camp Whirlygig for kids ages 4-10 at the Wenham Museum in 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

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

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

Mini Movers at North Shore Children's Museum

Things to do for children in Peabody MA
Mini Movers is an engaging dance and movement class for young children at the North Shore Children's Museum. Led by experienced instructors, the program introduces young children to the world of dance in a safe and nurturing environment.
10:00 am to 11:00 am

Saturday, February 8

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

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

Salem's So Sweet Festival

Salem Massachusetts' retailers have some sweet surprises in store during the Salem's So Sweet Weekend Festival
Salem Main Streets and the Salem Chamber of Commerce invite you to come enjoy the annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival – a decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures, and Valentine’s Day shopping! Now in its 23rd year, the signature elements of...
9:00 am to 10:00 pm

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

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 am to 11:30 am

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...
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

All Family Field Trips - Coastal Winter Wildlife

Joppa Flats Education Center host an outing at the Salisbury Beach State Reservation in search of coastal wildlife.
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....
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

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.
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

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...
10:45 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
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