The Museum is free all day for Cape Ann residents* on the second Saturday of every month in 2024! The second Saturday of every month is free for Cape Ann families. Pre-registration and timed tickets are required.
The Great Marsh—the largest contiguous salt marsh in New England—is not only brimming with fascinating natural history, it is also home to a rich cultural history. Nowhere is this more evident than in the meandering waters of Fox Creek. Connecting the tidal estuaries of the Essex River basin and the Ipswich River, it contains the oldest saltwater canal in the United States and the remains of the historic Robinson’s Shipyard, where over 100 minesweepers used in WWII were once built.
Come tot he IRWA headquarters in Ipswich where we will paddle to downtown Ipswich River and then back. Through restoration projects like dam removal and invasive species management, to advocacy work around water conservation – we have the solutions to ensure a bright future for our river. Join us on tis paddle to learn more about our vision for the river and witness this precious resource first-hand. A full schedule of Ipswich River Watershed Association events is available at ipswichriver.org/calendar. Part of Trails & Sails
Get ready for Paint Night excitement at the historic Salisbury Beach Pavilion, home to the beautifully preserved antique Looff-Mangels carousel. Limited tickets are available for this event, so be sure to grab yours soon! Your ticket includes all supplies and instruction. Each canvas has a pre-drawn stencil, perfect for artists of all ages and skill levels. Our canvas is 11”x14”, and all colors of paint will be available, allowing for endless creative possibilities. For ages 6 and up.
Join local award winning wire artist Ryan Kelley for a wire tree art class at The Salisbury Beach Carousel! Ryan will teach you how to create a wire tree in any style you want on an adult closed fist sized rock you provide during this two hour class! Ticket includes all of the tools and materials needed for you to create your own wire tree sculpture!
RiverFest is a family-friendly event celebrating the Ipswich River with activities like canoeing, fishing, live music, and educational exhibits. Enjoy food from local vendors and participate in fun games and crafts.
Join us after school to celebrate the start of summer with Our Summer Kick-off Ice Cream Party kindly provided by Treadwell’s Ice Cream. Ice Cream will be provided from 2-4PM during our 1-4PM play session. Come join the fun at the museum and kick off the summer with a sweet treat!
Come and build Legos with us at NSCM! With TONS of Legos available, come and build your creations. This will be a casual club where all participants can follow whatever direction their engineering intuition takes them, we will not be teaching how to make specific models. Recommended for ages 4+, with siblings always welcome.
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 vast barrier beach that protects the tidal estuary of the Essex River basin. Running along its back side is the Castle Neck River, a superb location for paddlers of all skill levels to explore these sheltered waters.
During the plant swap kids and kids of all ages can paint a pot and plant a seed of their choice. Bring it home your creation and watch it grow!
