Brown Bag Lunch

Archives is a place people go to gather facts, data, evidence, letters, photographs and other primary sources.  They are important in understanding history. Speaker: Maxwell Close, archivist, will explore and offer advice both to the amateur and serious academic. He will talk about understanding historical content, oral history, and preservation services. Come to ask questions […]

This vessel possess national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America.  For 39 years it guided transoceanic shipping to and from the east coast ports, through some of the most treacherous shipping lanes in the world. Many famous vessels like the Queen Mary, Normandie and naval cargo vessels depended on her […]

Speaker: David Grimes, composer will talk about the creation of this very important piece of work which chronicles the first 21 years of his life and the impact it had on his creative and personal development. David earned his Masters of Music at the University of Toronto and co-founded the Canadian Electronic Ensemble. His composition […]

The story begins in 1639 when a group of 60 settlers from Yorkshire, England made their way to the new world. In time they realized the importance of a mill […]

Speaker: Ann Carrol, Director of the State’s Office of Water Resources, will summarize the latest thinking on droughts and flooding in New England and what is and can be done […]

Paul Wegzin, teacher and local  farmer will talk about farming and how it has changed  over the years. The  tulip and sunflower fields were his brainstorm.  Paul comes from a […]

Ipswich is known for its discovery of early artifacts at Great Neck, along the riverbanks and the Bull Brook area. Erin Rice, our museum educator, will talk about the Bull […]

Speaker: Sam Hamlin, retired third grade teacher from Shore Country Day school will take you on a  tour in search of remnants of ancient civilization here in Ipswich.  You will see Ipswich in a new light. Ipswich Seniors and Members: free Non-Members: $5

Speakers: Katherine Chaison, curator, and Susan Landry, textile specialist, will conduct a museum experiment of growing and processing flax. This will be fascinating. Ipswich Seniors and Members: free Non-Members: $5

Ann Brown, historian, has found some very interesting letters in Mount Holyoke's archives, written by three seminary students: Harriet Johnson, Maria Cowles and Austa Winchell. Together they provide some interesting insights into what it was like to be a student at the Ipswich Female Seminary, (boarding, rhythm of the day, curriculum, discipline and their success […]

Gordon Harris, Ipswich Town Historian The gilded weathercock at the First Church in Ipswich has graced the steeple of every church at that location since the middle of the 18th century and was likely created by Deacon Shem Drowne (1683-1744), America's first documented weathervane maker. In 1915, when the steeple was set afire by lightning, […]

A panel of Wednesday Walkers, Kay Evans and friends, with many years together and separately of exploring the rich trail resources in the Ipswich landscape, will share some of their experiences and welcome stories and questions from the audience. Kay is an 18 yr. Ipswich resident and "A Historical Townie" through her mother's Gilbert line. […]