History

Night Hike: Sounds, Stars & S'mores

Explore The Trustees of Reservations Appleton Farms and learn about what the creatures of the habitat as night falls!

When the sun starts to go down a whole new world comes alive. Owls wake up from a long days rest, tree frogs call in the distance, stars create a magical light display, your body changes in accomadate the new world, and so much more. Join us for an evening walk at Appleton Farms where our Farm Educator will show you what amazing things exist when the night begins. You will learn night animal sounds, explore for nocturnal creatures, experience how the human body changes at night with hands on activities to test things like your night vision, and enjoy the mood of Autumn with some warm apple cider and smores.

When:

Thursday, October 4, 2018 5:30-7:30pm

Location:

Trustees of Reservations

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Salem Heritage Days at the Seven Gables

Salem Massachusetts Heritage Days at the House of Seven Gables

Salem Heritage Days offer a wonderful way for Salem residents and visitors to connect with Salem’s history, art, and cultural scene. House of Seven Gables invites families to learn about sailing the high seas with a variety of family-friendly and hands-on activities. The Family Navigation Game is offered daily from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The Living History Labs hands-on history experience will take place daily from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

When:

Daily, August 2-12, 2018 10am-6pm

Location:

House of Seven Gables

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Pet Cemetery – Moseleys’ Four-footed Friends

Learn the history of the Mosely family pets at Maudlsay State Park in Newburyport

Maudslay State Park actually has a pet cemetery! The Moseley family enjoyed their many pets and established an area of the estate specifically for them. The park interpreter will lead a walk to this area and share stories and photos of their four-footed friends. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

When:

Saturdays, August 11-25, 2018 2-3pm

Location:

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Energy Begets Energy Hike

Get off the couch and walk through the Crane Wildlife Refuge with the Trustees.

It’s winter. The air inside is stale, you just ate a bag of chips for lunch, and the couch is calling your name. There’s stuff you should be doing, but you’re just not feeling it – and yet another nap seems so boring. We have just the thing to make you feel tip top in no time! Join us for an energetic hike around the Crane Estate! Route will be determined by weather. The pace will be brisk, the air will be fresh, the chips will be burned off, and you’ll leave feeling invigorated!

When:

Saturday, March 24, 2018 1-3pm

Location:

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

Trustees of Reservations

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This Hike Is For the Birds

Kids ages 4-10 will love this birding hike to Cedar Point on the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts!

This hike starts at the Barn on the Crane Estate, and wanders down to the Cedar Point Trail where many of our spring-time birds are busy getting settled. On the way, kids will use their skills of observation to see what kinds of birds are starting to show up – where are they hanging out, and what are they doing? What do they sound like? Then we’ll head to the Pine Grove where we’ll collect pine cones to make unique bird feeders for you to hang up at home. Our adventure will end with hot chocolate and s’mores around a camp fire in the Pine Grove.

When:

Monday, April 16, 2018 1-3pm

Location:

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

Trustees of Reservations

Birding

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February Vacation Hunger Moon Hike

Come to Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Rowley Massachusetts with the Mass Audubon under the full moon.

Join naturalists from Joppa Flats Education Center on a nocturnal hike through Rough Meadows underneath the Hunger Moon! We'll peek at the stars, go on stealth walks, and investigate the behaviors that animals use to survive the cold New England winter. We'll return to Joppa Flats for hot cocoa and s'mores over the fire pit. This is a tween/teen program.

When:

Wednesday, February 21, 2017 6:30-8pm

Location:

Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary

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Women of Essex - Stories to Share

Come learn come great stories about the women of Essex Massachusetts at this FREE exhibit open through Winter 2018

Discover the interesting lives of women who lived in Essex! This exhibit – the first of its kind in Essex – expands our understanding of the women of Essex and the ways they have influenced our town and reflected the larger story of women’s history.

When:

Mondays - Thursdays from 7:30 am - 3:30 pm

Location:

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Haunted Hike

Walk through the Crane Wildlife Refuge Ipswich Massachusetts with the Trustees of Reservations on Halloween!

Join The Trustees of Reservations for a harrowing Halloween Hike through the haunted trails of the Crane Wildlife Refuge! All Hallow’s Eve is a night when the creatures of the woods roam the paths and the dunes, silent and scary. Bring someone you can hold on to – and be prepared to hike through soft sand up and down hills for approximately 1.5 miles! We’ll finish our adventure with witches brew and pumpkin bread around a campfire on the beach.

When:

Tuesday, October 31, 2017 7-9pm

Location:

Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

Trustees of Reservations

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Sea Shanty Sing-a-long

Join naturalists from Joppa Flats Education Center on the deck in the salt marsh at Rowley's Rough Meadows for a sing-a-long of sea shanties and maritime poetry, and learn how music was used to entertain, focus on work, and tell stories of nautical life. Bring your blanket and dinner and plan to stay for a picnic under the rising full moon. Instruments and shanty singers are welcome.

When:

Friday, October 13, 2017 4-5:30pm

Location:

Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary

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Historic Ice House Tours - Sundays

Tour Cape Pond Ice and chill wioth the coolest guys in town!

Chill with the coolest guys in town! Enjoy a cool visit to Cape Pond Ice Company, icing Gloucester's fleet since 1848. We were featured in Sebastian Junger's account of The Perfect Storm. Tours highlight the history of the ice industry, with vintage film of natural ice harvests. See first hand 300-pound block ice being made (up to 350 tons per day), fishing vessels taking on ice and ice sculptures being carved in our historic icehouse on Gloucester's working waterfront. Part of Trails & Sails.

When:

Sundays, September 17 & 24, 2017 11am-Noon

Saturdays, September 16 & 23, 2017 11am-Noon or 1-2pm

Fridays, September 15 & 22, 2017 2-3pm

Location:

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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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Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.

Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

7:00 am to 7:00 pm

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Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

Come to Hammond Castle for the 6th annual Deck The Halls holiday celebration. Hammond Castle Museum will be dressed for the holidays inside and out. Delight in the enchanting ambiance of Christmas and White Birch trees, meticulously arranged garlands, festive wreaths, and the warm embrace of...

Where: Hammond Castle Museum

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

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Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...

Where: Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham

10:00 am to 10:45 am

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Lego Time at MPL

Drop-in, unstructured Lego building fun! Come with friends or come to make new ones, this program is for kids ages six and up.

Where: Manchester Public Library

3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

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Chess Night at Beverly Library

You do not have access to view this node and BevRec are teaming up to offer Chess Nights in the Barnett Gallery in the main Library at 32 Essex St, Beverly. The first Monday of each month through May, come and play the world’s greatest game (if you don’t count Pac Man) with your neighbors. This is...

5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

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Saturday, December 14

Deck the Docks at Maritime Gloucester

Come to Maritime Gloucester for fun holiday happenings on the waterfront in Gloucester Massachusetts!

Where: Maritime Gloucester

10:00 am to 7:00 pm

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Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

Where: Hammond Castle Museum

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

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CraneOutdoors: Family Snowy Owl Prowl

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.

Where: Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

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Second Saturdays at Cape Ann Museum

The Museum is free all day for Cape Ann residents* on the second Saturday of every month in 2024! The second Saturday of every month is free for Cape Ann families. Pre-registration and timed tickets are required.

Where: Cape Ann Museum

10:00 am to 6:00 pm

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2nd & 4th Saturday at Lynn Museum

Come to the Lynn Museum and Historical Society for FREE family fun. Join us on the second and fourth Saturday of each month for FREE admission to the Museum from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.! You can view our latest exhibitions, purchase Lynn-themed goods in our shop, check out books in our free library, and...

Where: Lynn Museum and Historical Society

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

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Santa's Workshop

Newburyport is a favorite local town to shop - especially during the holidays. The fantastic lights downtown, the tree in Market Square, all the beautifully decorated window boxes and of course, Santa's Workshop, where the kids can whisper their wishes to Santa.

Where: Santa's Workshop

11:00 am to 2:00 pm

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The Nutcracker by Greater Salem Ballet

Join Greater Salem Ballet Company for their annual performance of 'The Nutcracker' at the at Lynn Memorial Auditorium at Lynn City Hall! Follow Clara on her magical journey.

Where: Lynn Auditorium

12:00 pm

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Winter Solstice Walk

Celebrate the shortest day of the year and welcome the lengthening days ahead with a candlelit evening walk on the trails of the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. The evening will begin by making your own lantern in our cozy, heated barn while sanctuary naturalists share the science of solstice....

Where: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

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Trustees Winterlights at Stevens Coolidge Place

Winterlights is back! Join the Trustees for a magical outdoor experience at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, and see the gardens aglow with your favorite light installations as well as marveling at new components. Bring the whole family for a fun and safe outdoor experience. Winterlights runs...

Where: Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens

4:30 pm to 8:00 pm

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