History

Pick up a program book and experience Revolutionary War-era Marblehead at various sites in the Historic District. Meet the wife of war hero, James Mugford; explore Fort Sewall with Glover’s Regiment; meet diarist Ashley Bowen portrayed by Donald Friary and experience an Anglican service at St. Michael’s church; participate in a recreated town meeting and decide whether or not to support the Patriot cause at the Old Town House; visit the Powder House; see the Spirit of ’76 painting; tour the Jeremiah Lee Mansion; and learn about the town’s Tory population at the “King” Hooper Mansion; among other opportunities. Learn more here!

Did you know that there’s a massive prehistoric saltmarsh peeking out of the sands at Salisbury Beach? Join MRWC’s John Macone on a low tide walk as we explore this fascinating remnant of a time when sea levels were much lower than today. We’ll also talk about the prehistoric oceanfront, the “paleo Merrimack River,” and the remnants of the last glacial age — all visible thanks to special maps that we’ll bring with us. The one-mile round trip hike will last about an hour. Be prepared to wade into the surf about 18 inches.

Falconry is the sport of hunting with a trained bird of prey. It is also the demanding art of training a predatory bird that is by nature wary of people to hunt cooperatively with a human partner. Although the sport has a 4,000 – year history, its glory days were indisputably the medieval period.  While this presentation centers around live birds used in falconry, it is not a flight demonstration but a history-rich look at an ancient sport. Focusing on the medieval period, it explains the characteristics of the birds of prey used, how the sport reflected the lifestyle of the time, and the historical reasons behind falconry’s rise and fall.

Visitors are invited to engage in a self-guided audio tour created by the Wenham Museum for the Patton Family Archive and Town of Hamilton. Participants may come to the property at their leisure. A kiosk housing the QR code, and start of the tour, is located in the lower, gravel parking lot; parking is free of charge. The tour shares historical information about the Patton Family and grounds. Upon completion, guests are encouraged to explore the nature trail along the Ipswich River and take in the view at the Greenbelt River Overlook.