Explore the waters Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate by boat with the Trustees of Reservations! Join us for a cruise in Essex Bay aboard our pontoon boat the Osprey! We’ll view the seldom seen backside of the Crane Wildlife Refuge, and take a turn around Choate Island to view the open fields, wooded hillside and historic structures from the water.
When the sun starts to go down a whole new world comes alive. Owls wake up from a long days rest, tree frogs call in the distance, stars create a magical light display, your body changes in accomadate the new world, and so much more. Join us for an evening walk at Appleton Farms where our Farm Educator will show you what amazing things exist when the night begins. You will learn night animal sounds, explore for nocturnal creatures, experience how the human body changes at night with hands on activities to test things like your night vision, and enjoy the mood of Autumn with some warm apple cider and smores.
The celebration of “Marblehead Spirit Day 2018” on Saturday, September 15, will feature free presentations and activities with noted Marblehead speakers and historians at five Marblehead locations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Abbot Hall, Jeremiah Lee Museum and Marblehead Museum, The Old Town House and G.A.R./Civil War Museum, Tucker’s Wharf, and Fort Sewall with Glover’s Marblehead Regiment and the crew members of USS Constitution. Start your day at any of these five featured locations to receive your free nametag, guidebook and map.
U. S. National Park Rangers will be running hands-on activities about how cast iron was made at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in the 17th century for Trails & Sails 2019. Join us at the Saugus Iron Works for our annual iron pour and get a glimpse of what work was like here in the 1600's. Enjoy various family friendly activities and mold making demonstrations while waiting for things to heat up! Set-up begins at 10:30am and the pour will take place at about Noon. Part of Trails & Sails 2019
Come to the Salem Maritime National Historic Visitor Center to imagine what life was like at sea as you rummage through the sea bags of a ship’s boy, a sailor, and a captain. Try writing your name using signal flags used to send messages at sea. Then, make a Sailor Valentine out of sea shells like the ones sailors would create for their loved ones back home.
Learn about Salem's maritime history and view "Lady of Salem" public art through a guided walking tours of the "Ladies." This festive Beautification Committee public art project features over 15 artistically decorated ship figureheads adorning downtown Salem. Tours will focus on Salem's maritime history, the public art project, and Salem's community involvement in public art. Maps for self-guided tours and Lady of Salem photo opportunities will be available. The project is supported by a Salem Cultural Council grant.
Did you know the famous painting The Spirit of '76 painting resides at Abbot Hall in Marblehead? Take this tour of Abbot Hall as part of Trails & Sails 2019 and explore Marblehead's history in the early American Revolution. WPA Murals showing highlights of the town's history from the 1600s to modern times are a priceless social and artistic heritage from the 1930s national W.P.A. (Works Progress / Projects Administration) program for artists and workers' relief. A wide array of the town’s collections are always on display when Abbot Hall is open. Images & info on the newly redesigned website MarbleheadHistory.org
Come Down to the 36th Annual Antique & Classic Boat Festival in Salem. See a wonderful variety of rare vintage motor yachts and sailboats. Meet skippers and crews and vote your favorite boats. Children get to make their own wee boat, and all can board real ones. There will be boat rides, crafts market, artists, old-time band music, steel drums, the Blessing of the Fleet and more! $5 donation and children under 12 are free.
Salem Heritage Days offer a wonderful way for Salem residents and visitors to connect with Salem’s history, art, and cultural scene. House of Seven Gables invites families to learn about sailing the high seas with a variety of family-friendly and hands-on activities. The Family Navigation Game is offered daily from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The Living History Labs hands-on history experience will take place daily from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Maudslay State Park actually has a pet cemetery! The Moseley family enjoyed their many pets and established an area of the estate specifically for them. The park interpreter will lead a walk to this area and share stories and photos of their four-footed friends. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
