Castle Hill Tour: Formal Flowers, A Tour for Gardeners
Calling all gardeners! Are you interested in how the formal gardens at Castle Hill have grown and changed over the years? Are you looking for inspiration for your own garden? Formal Flowers will take you on a detailed journey into the way the Italian and Rose Gardens were designed and… Read More
Bird Walk through Whitney and Thayer Woods
Join the Trustees for a beginner Bird Walk through Whitney and Thayer Woods! Our guide will introduce you to the fundamentals of birding while leading you through parts of this 834-acre forest. This hike is geared towards beginners but all are welcome! This will be an easy to moderate walk… Read More
Cancelled – Summer Bounty Centerpiece Floral Workshop
Join us for a hands-on workshop that celebrates the vibrant beauty of the summer garden. With the gardens in full bloom, we’ll draw inspiration from their bounty to create fresh, elegant centerpieces in a light and airy color palette. Each participant will learn essential techniques and principles to… 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
An Afternoon of Poetry
Join the New England Poetry Club under the open-air tent at the Old Manse for an afternoon of poetry sharing their work in a setting steeped in literary history. Founded in 1915, the New England Poetry Club has long championed poets with ties to… Read More
Summer Send-Off at World's End
Join us as we celebrate the end of an amazing summer with an outdoor concert featuring Montello North! Montello North is a 2 to 8 piece band, harmony-driven with an acoustic soulful sound. Their original music is overflowing with fierce authenticity and a passion for storytelling. The top of Planter’s… Read More
Elizabeth Freeman Day Celebration
Gather for a joyful day of reflection, learning, and community at the return of 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… 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
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: 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