Ipswich

The Trustees of Reservations are looking for a few good fishermen to donate their time to inspire the next generation of surfcasters to take up a rod and reel at Crane Beach. To volunteer, or for more information, please contact Garry Dow.

Ipswich's Memorial Day Parade begins on North Main Street and proceeds to the Civil War Monument on Town Hill. Following services at the Civil War Memorial on Town Hill the parade will proceed to the County Street Bridge where a wreath will be dedicated to departed Naval veterans. The parade will then proceed to the Ipswich War Memorial, the South Side Cemetery and end at the VFW Post 1093. Following the ceremony hot dogs, beans and refreshments will be served.

PARTICIPANTS  Local veterans organizations, town and state officials, Ipswich police and fire departments, the Ipswich High School Band, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, The Masons, Lions Club, Rotary Club and other organizations. One or two vintage military vehicles will also be in the parade.

Investigate the hard-to-reach spaces of the 17-century Paine House at the Greenwood Farm, where three generations of the Paine family made their home, including Robert Paine, foreman of the Salem witch trial jury in 1692. Step down into an original colonial dairy and view recently discovered archeological treasures. Hands-on activities for children included. Please pre-register. Space is limited.

As the oldest continuously operating farm in the country, Appleton Farms has more than a few tales to tell. On this guided, leisurely walk, we'll reveal some of the Appleton family's stories as we wander the farmstead and tour the newly remodeled Old House (now the farm's visitor center). We'll even take you on a visit to the dairy during milking time – when it's ordinarily closed to the public.

Join Joppa Flats Education Center for an Appleton Farms Grass Ride that is full of bird songs and courtship displays. Ramble the trails with an expert guide in search of nesting sites and encounter breeding bobolinks, meadowlarks, red-winged blackbirds and Baltimore orioles. Pre-registration required with Mass Audubon Joppa Flats, 978.462.9998.

This after school archaeology program offers interactive learning activities at the Ipswich Museum, supplemented by field trips along the Ipswich River and to historic sites, and capstone activities such as a parent open house, a tabletop exhibit, and a town meeting style debate about ethical issues in archaeology.

Come get to know Appleton Farms first had as you dig in the dirt, compare compost, plant seeds, grow crops, care for cows, and get a chance to see behind the scenes in the world of farming!

Cape Ann Habitat for Humanity will host its first ever Spring Gala Event on the evening of April 7th, at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich. Please attend this wonderful evening in support of the Cape Ann Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity.

Spend your vacation working alongside our field staff as we gear up for another busy beach season. This program is perfect for any teen interested in conservation work, environmental studies, team building, leadership development, or coastal exploration.

Celebrate the arrival of spring with this early bird special. For one day only, join us as we open Crane Beach to the public free-of-charge. Follow a scavenger hunt to buried treasure, enjoy a guided hike through the dunes of Castle Neck, or revel in the simple beauty of the beach in April.