In the second half of this Council on Aging video, Paul & Gordon step inside the Ipswich Museum's 1677 Whipple House to examine its unique architectural features.
A visit to the Whipple House with Paul Valcour & Gordon Harris
Category: Uncategorized
Ipswich Arts Association
The Ipswich Arts Association held its organizational meeting on February 26th at 2pm at the Ebsco Hall (5 Peatfield Street, We hope you'll join us in becoming a founding member! Join at https://www.ipswichartassociation.org/shop
February film series
Ebsco Hall, 5 Peatfield St., Ipswich. Every Thursday evening at 6pm
Lieutenant Ruhama Andrews and the 1775 Battle of Quebec
On Christmas Day 1823, Gen Benjamin Pierce of Hillsborough, NH held a reunion of twenty-two citizens who had served in the War of Independence. The oldest attendee was Ammi Andrews, born in Ipswich, MA, aged 89 years.
Smallpox
One of the most progressive citizens of Ipswich, Dr. John Manning opened a practice in 1760, and began inoculating members of his family for smallpox, incurring the wrath of the Town. An epidemic of smallpox spread through Boston during the British occupation of the city at the beginning of the Revolutionary War.
Why does Crane Beach have purple sound?
Crane Beach belongs to the Trustees of Reservations and is part of the historic Crane Estate. The property includes Crane Castle, miles of shoreline, and over 5 miles of marked trails through the dunes at Castle Neck and Steep Hill Beach, open year-round.
Charles Wendell Townsend, Ipswich naturalist
Charles Wendell Townsend, M.D. was attracted by the natural beauty of Ipswich. He built a summer house overlooking a wide expanse of salt marsh with open sea to the east. From here he wrote a number of books, including Beach Grass, Sand Dunes and Salt Marshes, and the Birds of Essex County.
Building wooden ships
Shipwright Harold A Burnham comes from a family who have been building wooden boats in Essex MA for several generations. Produced by Blake Road Productions LLC for the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Sullivan’s Corner
For eight decades the Sullivan farm in Ipswich, MA practiced a pre-modern way of life. The two sisters who took over their father’s family farm in 1916 were also teachers and principals in the Ipswich schools.
The Switch Rideable Artscape
The SWITCH Rideable ArtScape is a permanent installation made of poured concrete, sculpted metal, and organic materials, located at Bialek Park in Ipswich. The SWITCH serves primarily as a rideable concrete skatepark for riders of all skill levels, as well as an outdoor art gallery, a public performance space, and a gathering area for our… Continue reading The Switch Rideable Artscape
Images from the Ipswich Rotary “harnecues,” 1952-55
Horse shows were held at Maplecroft Farm on Essex Rd. from 1952 through 1955, sponsored by Ipswich Rotary. Known as "harnecues," the two-day events combined harness racing with barbecues to augment the Rotary student loan fund and benefit Cable Memorial Hospital's building fund, and featured class A equestrian events for children and adults.
1st, 2nd & 3rd period houses in Ipswich
There are more remaining first Period houses (1625 through 1725) in Ipswich MA than any other town in the country.
A History of Clark Pond, Great Neck, Ipswich MA
Clark Pond was originally an intertidal salt marsh supported by fresh water sources draining from the surrounding hills and tidal salt water from the ocean. Around 1897, A. B. Clark built a stone dam at the northeast corner creating a fresh water pond for duck hunting and built gunning blinds into the bank.
What our ancestors ate
"Most of them had pea and bean porridge, sometimes hasty pudding, both morning and evening. A lady of eighty, after having partaken of Thanksgiving dainties, was heartily glad to return home and set a meal of her favorite broth."
Arrival of the English
Within three years of the arrival of the Winthrop fleet to New England, so many immigrants had arrived in Massachusetts Bay that Boston Neck could not hold them all. Perceiving a threat from the French, thirteen men arrived in 1633 to establish the town that would be named Ipswich a year later.
The Old Town Landings and Wharfs
Many a pleasant sail down the river are in the memories of William J. Barton. "These were the names of the places and flats along the Ipswich River before my time, and familiar to me during my time. They were used by the fishermen and clammers. I know. I was one of them. It was the happiest time of my life."
Historic Ipswich 