Elizabeth Freeman Day Celebration
Gather for a joyful day of reflection, learning, and community at this annual celebration honoring the life and legacy of Elizabeth Freeman, whose landmark 1781 case contributed to the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts. Bring this powerful history to life as you explore the historic home where Freeman’s courageous… Read More
Elizabeth Freeman and New Research into Enslavement at The Ashley House
Join Livy Scott, our Decorative Arts Trust Curatorial Fellow, for a special guided tour of The Ashley House focusing on her new research and discoveries about the lives of those enslaved in the Ashley household, including Elizabeth Freeman and at least eight other individuals (Betsey, Brom, Harry, Ceaser, Mary, Adam Mullen,… Read More
Long Hill House & Garden Tour
Visit Long Hill’s breathtaking gardens and stately historic house for a guided tour. Enjoy the rich history of this grand country estate, home of the Sedgwick family, as you learn about the elegant lifestyle of wealthy Bostonians on the North Shore, and the artisans who created it. The tour takes… Read More
Naumkeag Backstairs Tour
Step behind the blue velvet curtain that once hid the servants’ staircase and explore the hidden side of life at Naumkeag during the Gilded Age. This special behind-the-scenes tour takes you beyond the main rooms and into the rarely-seen spaces where the real work of running a grand country estate… Read More
Naumkeag Backstairs Tour
Step behind the blue velvet curtain that once hid the servants’ staircase and explore the hidden side of life at Naumkeag during the Gilded Age. This special behind-the-scenes tour takes you beyond the main rooms and into the rarely-seen spaces where the real work of running a grand country estate… Read More
Castle Hill Tour: Grand Stairs to Back Stairs
Do you want to see the whole house? Are you up for a deep dive into life with the Crane family and their servants? Are you curious about how the various elements of the Great House worked together? This extended tour will take you from the… Read More
Naumkeag Backstairs Tour
Step behind the blue velvet curtain that once hid the servants’ staircase and explore the hidden side of life at Naumkeag during the Gilded Age. This special behind-the-scenes tour takes you beyond the main rooms and into the rarely-seen spaces where the real work of running a grand country estate… Read More
Mohicans, Missionaries and Migrating Colonists: A Guided Tour
New England’s Colonial history—from the perspective of the colonists as well as the indigenous peoples who preceded them—comes alive inside the home to the first missionary to the Mohicans. This National Historic Landmark was originally built around 1742 by the Rev. John Sergeant, the first missionary to… Read More
Home to Two Revolutions: Tour of the Old Manse
Home to Two Revolutions – From the American Revolution of 1775 through the literary revolution of the mid-19th century, on this house tour we share the stories of Manse residents, both the famous and the lesser-known, who influenced and responded to the 19th century social, political and cultural changes that… Read More
Castle Hill Tour: The Cat's Meow
Our children’s tour, The Cat’s Meow is designed for children age 3-8. Imagine living in 1929 and visiting the Crane family at their summer home in Ipswich. The house is so big and Mrs. Crane’s kitty, Ptolemy, has gone missing just before the party! Can you help a family… Read More
Castle Hill Tour: Behind the Scenes in the Great House
Do you love checking out basements, kitchens, and other out of the way rooms? Our behind-the-scenes tour takes you past the beautiful facade and explores how the house ran when the Cranes were in residence. You’ll learn how a plumbing magnate incorporated the latest technology of the era into his… Read More
Castle Hill Tour: Guest of the Cranes
It’s 1929 and you’ve just arrived after a long journey to see the Great House at Castle Hill and to visit your friends, the Crane family, of Crane plumbing fame. You are greeted at the door by household staff and your adventure as a “Guest of the Cranes” begins. A… Read More