Ipswich, Massachusetts was founded in 1634 in an area the Native Americans called “Agawam” and is known as “America’s best-preserved Puritan town. There are more remaining First Period houses (1625 through 1725) in Ipswich than any other town in the country, and the historic neighborhoods of Meeting House Green, High Street, the East End, and the South Green offer well-preserved streetscapes of 17th to 19th-century residences.

Resistance by the citizens and leaders of Ipswich to a tax imposed by the Crown in 1687 is commemorated in the seal of the town of Ipswich, which bears the motto, “The Birthplace of American Independence 1687.”

Located on the scenic Massachusetts North Shore, over 50% of land in Ipswich is protected by the State, the Trustees of Reservations, Essex County Greenbelt, and the town’s Open Space program.  If you love history, architecture, scenic rural roads and outstanding coastal vistas, Ipswich is the perfect day trip destination,  only an hour’s drive from Boston!

View the Ipswich calendar of events

Historic Places - Ipswich, Massachusetts is America’s best-preserved Puritan Town and is known as the “Birthplace of American Independence.”

Ipswich Streets and Neighborhoods - The 19th and 20th Century saw the size of the town grow greatly and new neighborhoods quickly arose joining the existng Ipswich neighborhoods listed in the National Register of Historic Places,

Places to go and things to do! - Dining, lodging, shopping, attractions, trails, open spaces, Crane Beach and so much more in America's best-preserved Puritan town.

Ipswich Trails - Maps and information for dozens of hiking trails in Ipswich and the surrounding area.

The Crane Estate (1928) - Castle Neck and Crane Beach have a long history of ownership by several families before being granted by the Cranes to the Trustees of Reservations.

Old North Burying Ground - Established in 1634, the Old North Burying Ground in Ipswich, Massachusetts is one of the oldest cemeteries in North America.

The Choate Bridge - The American Society of Civil Engineers cites the Choate Bridge in Ipswich as the oldest documented two-span masonry arch bridge in the U.S., and the oldest extant bridge in Massachusetts. 

Water Street - "Close by the river bank, on either side, a public way was sedulously preserved from any encroachment. On the north side of the river it still remains in Water Street,"

Plum Island - The General Court on October 17, 1649 divided Plum Island among three towns, granted to Ipswich 2/5, Newbury 2/5, and Rowley 1/5. The salt marsh hay, sand, and wildlife were valuable assets to the towns.

Meeting House Green Historic District - The North Green was once the religious, governmental and commercial center of Ipswich, and where the town's most successful businessmen built fine Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate and Victorian homes.

High Street Historic District - High Street was on the "Old Bay Road" and has the largest concentration of “First Period” houses in America The Old Burying Ground is on High Street near Lords Square.

The Ipswich River - The 35-mile Ipswich River flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Ipswich Bay. The Ipswich River Water Association works to protect the river and its watershed. Foote Brothers Canoes on Topsfield Rd provides rentals and shuttle service from April to October.