Castle Hill Tour: Behind the Scenes in the Great House

Thursday, October 15, 2026 · 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate — 290 Argilla Rd., Ipswich, MA

Do you love checking out basements, kitchens, and other out of the way rooms? Our behind-the-scenes tour takes you past the beautiful facade and explores how the house ran when the Cranes were in residence. You’ll learn how a plumbing magnate incorporated the latest technology of the era into his summer home, including electric wind indicators and a property-wide telephone system. You’ll also see how the Trustees have improved efficiency and brought formerly dormant technology back to life. Accessibility: This tour utilizes several staircases and is not accessible to those with mobility issues. We’re sorry, there is no elevator. Headset amplifier available upon request. This tour is recommended for adults and mechanically-interested children over the age of 8. For the safety of our guests, any small children must be carried by an accompanying adult for the duration of the tour. This tour runs once daily at 12:30 pm, and has a run time of approximately 50-60 minutes. Tickets can be purchased in advance, or first-come-first-serve on property. Grounds admission is included in the ticket price and covers a 3-hour visit. We recommend you arrive 15 minutes before your tour to allow…