17th Century houses and museums on the North Shore open for free June 6

Homes and buildings across Essex County dating from the nation's "First Period" are once again opening their doors to the public as part of 17th Century Saturdays. The program which encourages residents and visitors to explore the lives of early settlers in Essex County, will be held from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month through October. Now in its third year, 17th Century Saturdays has 29 sites participating with tours, special events, family programs and more on June 6, July 11, August 1, September 5, and October 8. Enjoy free admission and programming at all sites on June 6; regular admission fees apply July through October.

The North of Boston region has more historic houses built during America's "First Period" of architecture (1625-1725) than any other region in the U.S. Nearly 200 examples of these treasures exist, many of which are still privately owned, and 17th Century Saturdays will highlight 29 of these structures in partnership with Historic New England and others. [See list below for all locations.]

17th Century Saturdays is part of the Escapes North program. Escapes North highlights the area's arts, architecture, literature, theater, festivals and celebrations, and other cultural assets and makes it easy for visitors to plan vacations and book lodging.

Participating properties:

Amesbury, MA

Macy Colby House, c. 1654
257 Main Street
June, July, August, Sept., Oct.

Beverly, MA

The Balch House, c. 1636
448 Cabot Street
June, July, August, Sept., Oct.

The Hale Farm, c. 1694
39 Hale Street
June, July, August, Sept., Oct.

Danvers, MA

Judge Samuel Holten House, 1670
171 Holten Street
June, July, August, Sept., Oct.

Essex, MA

Essex Shipbuilding Museum, 1668
66 Main Street
June, July, August, Sept., Oct.

Gloucester, MA

The White-Ellery House, 1709
244 Washington Street
June, July, August, Sept., Oct.

Haverhill,MA

Buttonwoods Museum (Haverhill Historical Society)
John Ward House, 1710-1820
240 Water Street
June, July, August, Sept.

John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace, 1688
305 Whittier Road
June, July, August, Sept.

Ipswich, MA

Paine House at Greenwood Farm, 1694
Jeffrey's Neck Road
June, July, August, Sept., Oct.

Whipple House, 1677
1 South Village Green
June, July, August, Sept., Oct.

17th Century Walking Tour
Ispwich Visitors Center, Rt. 1A
June, July, August, Sept., Oct.

Marblehead, MA

17th Century Walking Tour, 1629-1720
Beacon Street at Norman Street
Tour from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June, August, Sept., Oct.

Newbury, MA

Coffin House, 1678
14 High Road
June, July, August, Sept., Oct.

Dole-Little House, c. 1715
289 High Road
June & Oct.

Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, c.1690
5 Little's Lane
June, July, August, Sept., Oct.

Swett-Ilsley House, c.1670
4 High Road
June, July, August, Sept.,Oct.

North Andover, MA

North Andover Historical Society
Parson Barnard House, 1715
179 Osgood St.
June & Oct.

Newburyport, MA

Old South Church, 1756
29 Federal Street
June, July, August

Peabody, MA

Nathaniel Felton Sr. House, 1700(Peabody Historical Society) Felton-Smith Historic Site
47 Felton Street
June: Open 12-2 p.m., tours on the hour; July, August, Sept.: tours at 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. only

Salem, MA

Gedney House, 1665
21 High Street
June, July, August, Sept., Oct.

The House of the Seven Gables, 1668
115 Derby Street
June, July, August, Sept.

Kalmar Nyckel Replica 1638 ship
Docked at Central Wharf
August only

Narbonne House, 1675
71 Essex Street
June, July, August, Sept., Oct.

Peabody Essex Museum
161 Essex Street
- A Point in Time: 1692 tour, June: 1 p.m. only
-John Ward House, ca. 1684,June: Open house 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Tour at 11:30 a.m. only on other dates

Salem in 1630 (Pioneer Village), 1930 (Replica of 1630)
Forest River Park
June, July, August, Sept.

The Witch House (Jonathan Corwin House), Before 1675
310 Essex Street
June, July, August, Sept., Oct.

Saugus, MA

Boardman House, 1687
17 Howard Street
June, July, August, Sept., Oct.

Saugus Iron Works NHS, 1646
244 Central Street
June, July, August, Sept., Oct.

Wenham, MA

Claflin-Richards House (Wenham Museum), 1660
132 Main Street
June, July, August, Sept., Oct. Essex County, MA 01960
Phone: 978-977-7760