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: 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
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
CraneOutdoors: Sunset Hike to Cedar Point
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… A stroll through the beautifully manicured gardens of the Great House A hike down the Woodland Trail leading… Read More
CraneOutdoors: Choate Island Kayak and Hiking Adventure
Kayaking the pristine, sheltered waters of the Essex River Basin offers one of the top on-the-water experiences to be had in Northeast. Add to that a hike on the area’s largest island and you have the makings of an epic adventure. This combined outdoor trip in the Crane Wildlife Refuge—home… Read More
Hypertufa Trough Making Workshop
Join Senior Horticulturist Dan Bouchard to create your own hypertufa planter! In this hands-on workshop, learn how to make a trough planter for alpines and other small plants out of hypertufa (a mixture of cement, water, and lighter materials). All materials will be provided. Appropriate clothing for being outside… Read More
Little Sprouts in the Garden: Pollinator Story Trail
Engage your curious budding gardener or adventurer in our new Little Sprouts in the Garden series to connect your child with the natural world around us. Take a leisurely walk through the gardens and Helen’s meadow to Celebrate Pollinator Month with a colorful and educational self-guided story trail featuring the… Read More
Little Sprouts in the Garden: Pollinator Story Trail
Engage your curious budding gardener or adventurer in our new Little Sprouts in the Garden series, a monthly themed program to connect your child with the natural world around us. Take a leisurely walk through the Garden to Garden Trail to Celebrate Pollinator Month with a colorful and educational self-guided… Read More
CraneOutdoors: Kayak Adventure on the Castle Neck River
One of the best was to enjoy the natural beauty of the Massachusetts North Shore is kayaking the placid waters of the Great Marsh—the largest continuous stretch of salt marsh in New England, extending from Cape Ann to New Hampshire. The Castle Neck peninsula on the Crane Estate is a… Read More
CraneOutdoors: Sunset Kayak in the Crane Wildlife Refuge
There are few places on the North Shore that more reliably enjoy spectacular sunsets than the back side of Crane Beach, overlooking Essex Bay. On this outing into the heart of the Crane Wildlife Refuge, we will be paddling in the protected waters of one of the most scenic… Read More
Roaring Twenties Lawn Party
Don’t miss the party of the summer! You’ll find jazz musicians on 2 stages, antique autos, a vintage fair, flappers and dandies, and picnickers galore. Explore the formal gardens, compete in contests, take a dance lesson, participate in a fashion parade, and enjoy a drink at the Bootlegger’s Garden featuring… Read More
Great House Tour Experience – Lawn Party
Take a peek inside the Crane family’s summer home. Experience what it was like to be a weekend guest in 1929! A maid or footman will give you a 30-minute guided tour of the guest rooms, family suites, and luxurious bathrooms. This tour is available only to guests who have… Read More