Objects of Interest

Join curator, Katherine Chaison as she selects  items and objects from our vast collection to share with our members. It is always fun to see rare items that are not in public view.

The History of Ipswich Education

Scott Jewel, board member and teacher will talk about Ipswich’s rich history and at the heart of that story is education. From the earliest colonial days, learning has always been […]

Ipswich Lace

Come hear Susan Landry, textile specialist as she talks about the history of Ipswich Lace and show objects from our collection used to make the lace. Included in this talk will be lace patterns, pricklings, and Ipswich lace samples made over the years. There will be some modern lace making tools on view as well […]

Ships and Shipwrecks of Ipswich Bay

Join town historian, Gordon Harris, who will talk about the long history of tragic shipwrecks due to dangerous storms and limited navigation. There were over 3,000 shipwrecks off the Massachusetts […]

The Early Voyages of Augustine Heard

Join Robert Gray, Heard descendant as he talks about his recent research on his family. During the late 1830s Augustine Heard of Ipswich composed a list of his early voyages during 1805-1830, from ship “Eliza” to Leghorn from Eben Francis through barque “Lintin to Canton with Bennet Forbes.  This talk provides an illustrated embellishment of […]

Women in Ipswich History

Gordon Harris, town historian will share stories of women in Ipswich from the first settlement to the present century. Learn about Ann Dudley Bradstreet, the first published poet, Emma Jane Mitchell Safford, a descendant of Massasoit; Jenny Slew, the first enslaved person to successfully sue for freedom, Eunice Caldwell, who returned to her hometown in […]

Eating Well, Living Well: Cook and Be Free

Join Chef Sarah Naugler for ideas on how to eliminate kitchen nightmares and make cooking fun. She is a graduate of the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and spent ten years working with prestigious Chefs of Boston and the North Shore. She eventually left that lifestyle and ventured into private cooking. Here her love of […]

Loom Demonstration

Come listen to a talk and demonstration on weaving. Diane Howe, weaver will explain techniques and tools used in this process.  There will be a small pop-up exhibit downstairs in the Whipple House to see items made in that time period.  This talk and demonstration will be held on the second floor of the Whipple […]

After the Party

Ipswich’s Bob Waite, Professor, Seneca Polytechnic College  and author brings his wit to the topic of politics, drawn on his experience serving as Press Secretary to Senator Ed Brooke (R-MA), […]