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
Family Farm Chores at Appleton Farms
Every day brings a full list of barnyard chores to keep our farmyard friends happy and healthy—so let’s get to work! Join us for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program. Grab your muck boots and farm together as a family! Help care for our rabbits, goats, cows, chickens, and… Read More
Castle Hill Tour: Highlights on the Hill
Join us for a leisurely tour of the Castle Hill grounds from our comfy tour cart. You will hear the rich history of the estate while enjoying the breathtaking views of the gardens, marsh, and water. This is the perfect way to get a comprehensive overview of the Crane Estate,… Read More
Growing Together: Tea Garden and Herbal Apothecary Workshop
Step into the world of medicinal herbs and seasonal harvests in this hands-on Tea Garden and Herbal Apothecary Workshop. Participants will explore how to grow and harvest herbs for teas, wellness, and everyday use while learning the foundations of creating a simple home apothecary. Together, we’ll taste herbal infusions, discuss… Read More
Scenic Songs: A Hiking Concert with Erin McKeown
Calling all hiking enthusiasts and music lovers! The Trustees and Passim are thrilled to collaborate for the 2026 Scenic Songs series, bringing Passim’s renowned folk music to The Trustees’ special places across Massachusetts. Join us on the trail with some of your favorite performing artists for guided… Read More
Food Forest Banquet with Cathy Walthers and Roxanne Kapitan
This event has sold out.Enjoy the unique flavors of fruits and vegetables collected from the food forest at the Charter School! Let Cathy Walthers, local five-time cookbook author, and Roxanne Kapitan, garden creator, wow your taste buds with delicious nutrient-packed greens, grains, herbal mocktails, and more. This program is… 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: 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
Urban Wild Trackers: Leatherbee Woods
We’re looking to build a group of volunteers who want to learn phenology, the study of seasonal changes in plants and wildlife, and spend time in this Urban Wild noticing how things change over time. Urban Wild Trackers meets twice a month and invites you to… Read More
Family Farm Chores at Powisset Farm
It’s morning at Powisset Farm and we have work to do! Come help us with morning farm chores in the barnyard, working side by side with our staff. This is an immersive, hands-on experience, limited to 5 helpers per morning and is perfect for… Read More
The Land Tells Our Stories Artist Workshop: Pulp Cast Leaves with May Babcock
Join us for a series of artist-led workshops at Fruitlands as part of The Land Tells Our Stories, a state-wide exhibit of outdoor sculpture. This workshop will focus on the work of May Babcock and explore her process of papermaking using natural materials and her works’ relation to… Read More
Love Notes from an Old Manse
Passing secret messages and leaving notes to friends and loved ones is a tale as old as time. Stop by our tent to learn the art of the “puzzle purse” and write a note to someone in your life that unfolds before their eyes. The Old Manse provided many… Read More