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
Fiddleheads: Preschool Drop-Off Series at Appleton Farms – FALL SESSION
*ONLY A FEW OPENINGS LEFT! REGISTER TODAY!* FIDDLEHEADS FALL SEMESTER 2025: Fall is here and harvest is in full swing! It’s a great time for your preschooler to learn what our fields, barnyard, and forest have to offer. Join us on Wednesday mornings from 9:30-12:30 for a preschool… Read More
Crane Beach Star Party
Join us for a star party with the North Shore Astronomy Club. Club members will bring telescopes and expertise to help us explore and view the dark sky from the Crane Beach parking lot. Bring your binoculars, scopes, starfinding apps, and curiosity. You may also want to bring: red light/head… Read More
Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms
Bring your little ones to Appleton Farms for our farm-fresh story hour. We will read books about animals and nature, maybe sing a song or two, then head up to the carriage barn to visit our Nubian goats, Angora rabbits and see what other animals are out and about on… 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
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: The Castle Hill Hike
Come explore the lesser-visited corners of Castle Hill and its surroundings with us. This hike is a CraneOutdoors guide favorite because it’s got a little bit of all the things that make the Crane Estate such a special place… A stroll along the spine of Castle Hill, starting at the… 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
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