You can tour historic properties for free this fall
Not a Black Friday shopper? You can visit a historic property instead.
This fall, you can spend time at historic properties across Massachusetts without opening your wallet.
The Trustees of Reservations, a nonprofit conservation organization that preserves natural and historic properties across the state, will offer four free-entry days to its properties on Oct. 8, Nov. 11, Nov. 12, and Nov. 23. It is the fourth year the organization has waived entry fees on designated fall days, said Kristen Swanberg, director of public programming.
“It’s an opportunity to explore these really neat, historic, and interesting places without having to pay an admission fee,” Swanberg said.
On Oct. 8, Columbus Day, four properties will waive admission fees for residents who live in the same counties as those properties. Berkshire County residents can enjoy free admission to Naumkeag in Stockbridge, Essex County residents will get in free at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich, Middlesex County residents won’t have to pay at the Old Manse in Concord, and Worcester County residents will get into Fruitlands Museum in Harvard at no cost.
The Old Manse in Concord.
In celebration of Veteran’s Day, the Trustees will waive fees at all of its properties on Nov. 11 and Nov. 12 for veterans, active and retired military personnel, and their families. Others will pay the regular fees on that day.
Finally, on Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving, the Trustees will waive admission fees at all of its beaches and recreational properties, and many of the properties will offer special programming. For example, at Appleton Farms in Hamilton and Ipswich, there will be an organized event for dog owners (and dogs) called Green Friday for the Dogs, where owners and their pets will hunt for treats hidden in treasure boxes along the trails. Fruitlands Museum will offer a free guided hike for visitors to that site.
Other properties that will be free that day include World’s End in Hingham, Crane Beach on the Crane Estate in Ipswich, and Bartholomew’s Cobble in Sheffield, she said.
The day after Thanksgiving is, of course, Black Friday.
“Instead of going shopping the day after Thanksgiving, head outside and enjoy nature,” Swanberg said.
