Gloucester Sea Serpent

Celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Gloucester Sea Serpent Sighting with the Cape Ann Museum and Maritime Gloucester. Create sea serpent sculptures in the Museum Courtyard using marine debris and found objects. At noon, parade down the hill to Maritime Gloucester for more art making activities. This is a joint event with Maritime Gloucester at 23 Harbor Loop where the afternoon segment begins at 12:30 p.m. Participation in both events is not necessary but encouraged.

Guided Tour of Essex Street Gateway Mural (2015 description)

Discover the "soul of Haverhill" by exploring the Essex St. Gateway Mural: a world-class work of art, four stories tall, offering an imaginative window into this city's past, present, and future. Enjoy a 30-minute introduction to the mural's rich content and the special methods employed by Meg Saligman Studios of Philadelphia, with extensive community participation. Then continue your own self-guided tour of downtown public art, using our printed guide.

Newburyport Oak Hill Cemetery

Explore the history of Newburyport’s beautiful Oak Hill Cemetery, established in 1842, with local historian Ghlee Woodworth. Visit the gravesites of abolitionists, the father of the clipper ship, and the first photographer in the United States, and learn about the gravestone and tree restoration projects. Visit Brown Chapel, the venue for an evening performance of Poe by Theater in the Open.

Tour Witch Hill in Topsfield

The estate at historic Witch Hill will be open to the public for the Trails & Sails celebration! The home, standing atop one of the North Shore's highest elevations, has seen changes over the course of its 350+ years of service but retains its historic and agricultural charm. As one of Topsfield’s earliest homes, the foundation still includes some portion of the original 1690s farmhouse where Mary Esty’s son lived. Learn how the property earned the name “Witch Hill” in the middle of one dark night in May of 1692.

Going Downtown Exhibit

Come remember or learn about Haverhill's bustling downtown during the mid-twentieth century! "Going Downtown" focuses on the businesses in downtown Haverhill during the Woolworth era. Exhibit will include a section of the counter with stools from Woolworth's, the phone booth from Mitchell's department store, costume from that time period and other ephemera. Connect with History Together!

Treasures at the Lynn Public Library

Come visit Lynn’s “temple of books”, the Lynn Public Library, and learn about its many non-literary treasures: 1. Four 17-ton Corinthian columns—each carved right here in Lynn from one solid piece of Indiana limestone. At the time of construction, the largest stones ever lathed in North America; 2. Learn the meaning of entasis; 3. A larger than life painting of Charles Sumner, a Senator from MA during the Civil War; 4. One-of-a-kind Saugus pot—the first casting made in America, Saugus Ironworks, c. 1642; 5. Mounted dinosaur head in the children’s room; 6. Computer robot; 7.

History & Architectural Tour

This 1 hour tour explores the history and architecture of the Peabody Institute. Learn about the about the Library’s founding and its importance to Peabody. Also explore the Library's architecture and history along with buildings connections to places in Essex County, Boston and beyond. Tour by Erik Bauer, Peabody Library Archivist.

The Essex Harmony Trails & Sails Concert

Enjoy this concert featuring choral selections from the Colonial period through current times and includes works of William Billings, Neely Bruce, Julia Ward Howe / William Steffe, James Erb, and Irving Berlin. Directed by Tom Carmody. Reception to follow; light refreshments will be served.

Historic Essex Walking Tour

Take a walk through time, connecting past and present day Essex and experience over 300 years of history through photos and stories on our self-guided tour. The walk spans the one-mile Essex River Cultural District on Main Street with short side trips extending onto Martin Street and Eastern Avenue. A brochure - with a map inside to guide you - is available at most signs along the tour.

Civil War & G.A.R. Museum in Marblehead

Visit the Marblehead Civil War & G.A.R. Museum in Marblehead's Old Town House built in 1727. The G.A.R. Meeting Room, Marblehead Post #82, exists as a "time capsule" exactly as it did when this local veteran's organization was disbanded in the 1930's. View a DVD about Marblehead's contributions and connections to the Civil War narrated by Anthony Silva of WBZ Radio (available for purchase). Stay for an early dinner at downtown restaurants or on the harbor front, a short walk down Washington St. or State St.

Wheelchair Accommodating