Planting Stories StoryWalk®
Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with a vibrant StoryWalk® experience for the whole family! Stroll through the gardens as each page of Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpre by Anika Denise unfolds along the path. This self-guided outdoor adventure invites children… 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
Self-Guided Historic House Tours at Stevens-Coolidge
Step inside the historic elegance of Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens and explore at your own pace with this self-guided house tour experience. Wander through the beautifully preserved rooms of the early 20th-century home, once the summer residence of Helen Stevens Coolidge and John Gardner Coolidge. As… Read More
Learning with Livestock at Appleton Farms
Join us on Saturdays for open and free programming and demonstrations! Meet the animals of Appleton, learn about why farmers keep animals, and the role they play alongside us on the farm. These rotating family-friendly farm education sessions are for all ages- kids and adults alike! Information is geared towards… Read More
Adult Cow Connection at Appleton Farms
Come meet, cuddle, brush, and sit with our hand-raised cows at Appleton Farms! The mild heart rate and warm body temperature of the cows induces a slowing of our own heart rate, as well as the release of Oxytocin, our social bonding hormone. Visit our scenic and historic farm and… Read More
Choate Island Day
Scroll down to find both event registration and ticket options! Spend a day with us in celebration of Choate Island – the crown jewel of the Crane Wildlife Refuge. Here, deer and foxes roam through fields that once housed herds of sheep, and osprey fly over breathtaking views of Essex… 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
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
Castle Hill Tour: Cupola with a View
This is our most Instagram-able tour experience and a particular treat for those interested in the architecture of the Great House and its surrounding property. You’ll gain insight into the architectural choices made by David Adler as he designed and built the Great House, the second home the Cranes built… 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
CraneExplorer: Family Full Moon Hike in the Dunes
CraneExplorer events are designed to appeal to the little ones* while giving their parents a great opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Crane Estate. These hikes cover less ground to accommodate smaller strides and have more frequent stops to look, listen, and learn from our CraneOutdoors guides. Not just… Read More