The Crane Estate & The Trustees

Preserving Nature and Heritage on Ipswich’s Shoreline

A captivating coastal destination where history and natural beauty intertwine.
Discover the vast landscape, pristine beaches, and remarkable wildlife refuge that make this place truly special.

Exterior of the Great House
The Setting & Trustees

Historic Architectural Splendor and Natural Beauty

The spectacular Crane Estate encompasses more than 2,100 acres in Ipswich, Massachusetts and is a property of The Trustees, a nonprofit conservation organization. The Estate is made up of three properties: Castle Hill, a National Historic Landmark that is the home of The Great House, a 59-room Stuart-style mansion designed by architect David Adler. Crane Beach, a pristine 4 mile long beach; and the Crane Wildlife Refuge, a natural treasure boasting many rare plant and animal species.

Take a Visual Tour
Bridging Past & Present

A Living Legacy, Community Collaboration and Celebration

Interior details of wall decor featuring the Crane Family in Silhouette at the Great House of the Crane Estate

Chicago industrialist Richard T. Crane, Jr. first purchased the 2,100 acres that would become The Crane Estate in 1910. Crane was captivated by the beautiful landscape, and over time worked with eight leading architects and landscape architects to shape his summer retreat. In 1928, he crowned the estate with a grand 59-room, Stuart-style mansion, designed by the world-renowned architect David Adler. Nearly 100 years later, the Crane Estate plays a vital role in the local community and beyond as a place for year-round recreation, historic house tours, weddings, corporate and private parties, an annual art show, summer concerts, lectures, movie filming, a popular summer camp and public volunteer opportunities.

Historical photograph of of an ad for Crane Co. fixtures
Historical photograph of people walking in the Crane Estate formal garden
Historical photo of Annual Children's Picnic
“The property belongs to the Trustees,
so on top of everything else, staying here benefits a conservation

and environmental non-profit organization.”

Veteran-Traveler55 – TripAdvisor Review

Crane Beach on the Crane Estate

Crane Beach

Take a refreshing dip or enjoy a sunrise walk at one of the Northeast’s most spectacular beaches, and follow trails and boardwalks through a spellbinding landscape of sand dunes and salt marsh.

Crane Beach has been nationally recognized for its successful shorebird protection program and is the world’s most important nesting site for piping plovers and is a haven for snowy owls.

Proctor Barn and sand dunes on Crane Wildlife Refuge

Crane Wildlife Refuge

Paddle through a mix of salt marsh and coastal islands, then venture ashore and explore trails on Choate Island and Long Island.

On Choate Island, the largest of the Refuge’s islands, a rich variety of wildlife calls it home. With over 200 bird species and rare plants and animals, including deer, otter, golden crown kinglets, bobolinks, and sandpipers, the Crane Wildlife Refuge also invites visitors to explore historical remains, including the Choate House and Proctor Barn.

Endangered Piping Plovers on Crane Beach

Icon for The Trustees of Reservations

The Trustees is Massachusetts’ largest conservation and preservation organization. We are a nonprofit supported by members, friends, and donors who love the distinctive charms of the Commonwealth, and who believe in celebrating and protecting them, for everyone, forever.

Founded in 1891 to preserve some of Massachusetts’ most important and iconic landscapes and landmarks for public use and enjoyment. Today, The Trustees stewards 120+ distinctive and visually dynamic places rich in cultural, historical, and natural context. Spanning more than 27,000 acres, these places serve as welcoming and inclusive platforms for gatherings of people of all ages and diverse interests. Trustees sites welcome more than 2 million visitors annually, and spark engagement through innovative programs and initiatives.

Visit The Trustees Website

Seasonal Closure

The Inn at Castle Hill is closed January – March. We reopen for the season April 1st 2025 and accept reservations a year in advance. We are here to answer requests at theinn@thetrustees.org or 978-412-2555.

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