It’s spring on Castle Hill on the Crane Estate which means the doors of the Great House will soon be open again. Visitors are always welcome at Castle Hill, but for the last three months the big house at the top of the hill has been closed and quiet. But now, as the days get longer and spring flowers open their buds, so too, the front doors of the Great House will open again to welcome visitors. Starting April 13, the Great House will open for visitors on weekends from 10 am to 4 pm. (The Great House remains closed on weekdays until Memorial Day, May 27.) Anyone who has purchased an entry ticket for Castle Hill is welcome to enjoy the first floor of the grand home, the former summer residence of the Crane family from Chicago. The fully furnished library, dining room, and entry hall offer a taste of the life of the ultra-wealthy in the 1920s. Those who wish to explore further are invited to join one of three guided tours offered throughout the day:
- Guest of the Cranes takes guests back to 1929 when the Great House was new. Costumed servants greet arriving guests and show them family suites and guest rooms.
- Cupola with a View interprets the architecture and surrounding land. Ending on the roof, this popular tour treats guests to spectacular 360-degree views.
- Behind the Scenes highlights the inner workings and the hidden corners of the 59-room mansion with special focus on technological systems and servant life.
Additional tours will be added after May 27 when the Great House will open 6 days a week (closed on Mondays).
The gift shop (housed in a former guest room suite) offers a wide range of gifts and mementos. Visitors are encouraged to explore the gardens and grounds, and even bring a picnic lunch to enjoy while gazing out over the New England coastline from Gloucester to Maine. It may be right around the corner in Ipswich, but it feels like a world away!
Advance reservations can be made at https://thetrustees.org/program/castle-hill-tours/
Good Morning Gloucester 