September 15

The events of the Civil War and the abolitionist movement in the 1860’s brought tremendous transformations to the US. Lynn was home to many Union soldiers & abolitionists. This self-guided tour passes many sites tied to these histories of Lynn. Over 150 years later, some of these places resemble how they appeared in the 19th…

Learn how one New England village built close to 4,000 wooden vessels; find a 1797 Paul Revere bell; discover the birthplace of the fried clam; learn about the grave robberies of 1818 as you step back in time to 16 historic sites on the Historic Essex Walking Tour! This self-guided tour has an online brochure…

Hike the Freeman Memorial Trail at the Whittier Birthplace. This approximately half mile hike starts at the stonewall by Whittier Road, loops around the museum, up into the woods, across the fields, down to the apple trees, and ends across the street at the Welcome Center. Please come dressed to walk over grass, tree roots,…

Explore Danvers through art in this ‘go at your own pace’ self-guided tour. Learn about our historical events and important figures in murals scattered around Danvers that were produced as part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). These murals, one’s recent restoration funded by Danvers Rotary Club, tell some of the stories that make up…

Salem’s LOOKING UP at the creative and whimsical interpretations of these maritime history inspired figureheads. Over 30 “Ladies” are displayed on lampposts and in business establishments throughout downtown Salem. Each figurehead has it’s own unique story to tell about the sea. Whether literally focusing on the “Golden Age of Sail” or figuratively expressing maritime mysteries,…

The Fay’s Estate (original spelling) area of Lynn, also known as Lynnmere, was the site of the Lynn Mineral Springs Hotel from 1803 until it was torn down in 1916. It was, as has been quoted in Lynn History books, “a mecca for Bacchus and Venus.” It was a playground for the wealthy of that…

Discover the natural beauty of the South Peabody Trail, a scenic network connecting nearly 300 acres of protected open space. Wander through peaceful woodlands and wetlands while spotting native plants, wildlife, and migratory birds that rely on this habitat throughout the seasons. Spring and Sydney’s Ponds provide a tranquil backdrop and an important refuge for…

Happy 250th, America and Happy 300th, Methuen! As we continue to celebrate our nation’s birthday, we’re looking back at the Bicentennial memorabilia of 1976. Methuen’s own Bicentennial Man, local historian Thomas Spitalere, will have some of his collection of Bicentennial memorabilia on display in the great Hall. This is one of the largest collections in…

American Revolution Era Tableware. Reflecting wealth, social status, and political leanings in the American Colonies. Colonial Music and Dance. How music and dance from Colonial America influenced material culture for over a century. Revolution Celebrated. How would you protect and recall your local history? Explore collected and preserved items related to the American Revolution, honored…

Discover five women of Danvers who accomplished amazing things in their lives. A poet/abolitionist, an author/historian, an educator/ suffragist, political delegate/actress, and an entrepreneur businesswoman. 1-1/2 mile walking tour to explore the lives of these 5 dynamic women in Danvers history, 1760s through 1960s. Trustee Joyce Cranford explores the lives of five women who made…

* Reservations Required

This exhibition features the sabbatical work of Danielle Currier, Professor of Graphic Design at Endicott College, presenting large-scale posters and data-driven infographics exploring equity, policy, and lived experience across the U.S. Central to the exhibition is the LGBTQ+ Youth Climate Score, an original framework visualizing how policy, environment, and support systems impact LGBTQ+ youth state…

BLOOM celebrates the creative growth that unfolds when young people are given the space to express themselves freely. Throughout the year, participants explored what it means to nurture ideas, take creative risks, and flourish together through the arts. We can’t wait to share the joy, color, and imagination that continue to BLOOM from their incredible…

Could the Witch Hysteria have been stopped in a parson’s study? How does a 300-year-old house survive when it’s long gone out of fashion? Open doors, look behind ceiling beams and peer into the large fireplaces of this exactingly restored two-story Colonial House in the quintessential colonial New England small town.

Bee Vision presents a vibrant selection of prints from Helen Popinchalk’s Hot House series, combining screen printing, gelatin printing, drawing, and collage. Inspired by the way bees and pollinators perceive the world, the work explores color, light, and bioluminescence through layered, luminous compositions. Drawing from her experience as a third-generation beekeeper, Popinchalk connects her artistic…

Come join us for some fun on the water! No experience necessary. Depart from our private beach in one of our safe, stable kayaks or paddle boards and paddle around the historic Rockport Harbor for 30 mins. See lobster boats, Motif #1, the Rockport Break water, and the gorgeous Head Lands property. This is your…

* Reservations Required

Swampscott’s Harold King Forest is the town’s largest conservation area. The Swampscott Conservancy will lead a guided walk through this little known 47-acre forest in our midst. Within the forest, one can find a glacial boulder field, diverse vegetation, a stream and wetlands. Well behaved dogs on leash are welcome. Total distance is around 1…

Join us for a 2-mile paddle on the Ipswich River and connect more deeply with the waterway you live, work, and explore alongside every day. You’ll learn about the key challenges it faces—low water levels, water quality, dams interrupting its flow—and the real solutions underway to protect and restore this vital resource. Then you’ll experience…

* Reservations Required

Come to celebrate the Guatemalan culture in this event full of music, rich folkloric dances & traditions from the Mayan Empire. Join us at the main stairs of the Lynn City Hall to listen to the sweet notes from the Marimba, the national instrument; and popular songs. This event is a wonderful opportunity to experience…

Before pharmacies and grocery stores, a colonial kitchen garden served as a household’s medicine cabinet, pantry, and safeguard against hunger. This lecture examines the herbs, vegetables, and flowers Rebecca Nurse may have cultivated, with attention to their culinary and medicinal uses. Drawing on the site’s modern reproduction of a 17th-century kitchen garden, it also explores…

Explore the Revolutionary artifacts collected by the Peabody Institute Library. We will meet at the Public Services Desk on the first floor.

Join Mass Oyster Project and The Trustees for a community conversation about the future of Plum Island Sound. Share observations of changes in local waters and explore nature-based solutions to strengthen and protect coastal landscapes. This open discussion will be led by Valerie Perini North Shore Education Manager of The Trustees and Liv Woods, Executive…

* Reservations Required