September 27

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…

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…

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,…

Amesbury Oktoberfest runs from 9/18 – 10/3 featuring fun events, delicious food, and top-notch beer. Enjoy a 21+ beer garden, local food, and community fun. Explore downtown Amesbury’s shops and restaurants while celebrating with live music, thanks to our sponsor Munters Corporation! The festivities will kick off with a live oompah band in the Upper…

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…

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…

Enjoy a self-guided walking tour of 50 site specific outdoor sculptures at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Sept. 20th – Oct. 16th (opening reception Sept. 27th @ 2pm). Trail head signs will provide catalogs with photos, sculpture locations, artist bios, and statements about each work. Celebrating its 26th year, Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay is the…

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…

The Jackman Willett House is owned and maintained by the Sons and Daughters of the First Settlers of Newbury (SDFSN). Originally built in 1683, it has been moved four times. It is a story and a half house with a lean-to added in 1930. Visible features include Indian Shutters, chamfered beams, wide floor boards, and…

Join in a special hands-on tour of Knowing Nature with exhibition curator Jane Winchell, PEM’s Sarah Fraser Robbins Director of the Art & Nature Center and Curator of Natural History.

* Reservations Required

This beautifully restored Georgian Revival Mansion serves as Swampscott’s Town Hall. Built in 1889 for Professor Elihu Thomson, inventor, scientist and the 3rd largest patent holder, who partnered with Thomas Edison to form General Electric, it is located in the Olmsted Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Docent-led tours…

Come join Dave Read as he leads us on a scenic bike ride starting at the Graf Rink on Low St. in Newburyport. We’ll cycle along the Clipper City Trail with its impressive trail art. Then we will ride over the Merrimac River to Salisbury, past salt marshes as we make our way to the…

Enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the Merrimack River, then wander through the Hand Tub House and the Toll House Museum at your own pace while enjoying works of art by local artists. Try to imagine what life was like here two hundred years ago. The Hand Tub House has been a central figure of the…

Step into the fascinating world of fungi on this guided mushroom walk with Jana Harris of Essex Foray. Certified in Wild Mushroom Food Safety, administrator of the Boston Mycological Club, and host of Fungi Finders, Jana will introduce you to local mushroom species while sharing safe, ethical foraging practices and fascinating fungal ecology. A favorite…

* Reservations Required

Guided walking tour of the National Register listed Olmsted Historic District, designed in 1888 by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Brief introduction to take place in Swampscott Town Hall prior to both tours. A local architect will guide the tours, highlighting architectural features of Olmsted’s unique vision. Some hilly terrain will be covered at a…

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

Semi-guided and self-guided tours of the historic Hospital Point Lighthouse property in Beverly, Massachusetts. Including experiencing the view of Salem Sound from the top of the lighthouse tower.

Explore the landscape history at Cogswell’s Grant. Walking through hayfields and salt marsh to the river, we’ll tell the stories of the people who lived and farmed here, from the earliest Indigenous inhabitants, through the colonial period, and into the present. The Stopping Stones markers ceremony honoring the lives of those enslaved on the property…

* Reservations Required

Visit the Museum of Printing and take a tour through the history of printing and communications. Don’t be afraid to get inky and participate in our printing demonstrations too!

Come visit Newbury’s restored 1877 School House with all its original desks and charm. Nestled between the beautiful Parker River and Old Town Hill you will find Newbury’s Historical 1635 Lower Green home of Newbury’s first settlement. The Green and its surroundings are part of a newly formed Historic District and part of the Lafayette…

Imagine Studios and Newburyport Indigenous Peoples Day Event (10/10/2026) welcomes the public to view the Merrimack Mishoon, 20 foot dugout canoe, and learn about Indigenous maritime traditions with cultural artisans and educators, Larry Spotted Crow Mann (Ohketeau Cultural Center, Hassanamisco Nipmuc) and Sarah Small Turtle (Lennox Island Mi’Kmaq). Join these knowledge keepers for hands-on family…