The Trustees, Massachusetts’ largest conservation and preservation organization, is commemorating its 125 anniversary through a season of wonderful events. On August 6th, Robert and I celebrated our own anniversary when we attended by invitation one of those celebrations at magnificent Castle Hill in Ipswich, Massachusetts. There, with 5,000 other happy attendees, we sat on the property’s beautiful rolling grounds to enjoy the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra’s evening performance with musical star, Megan Hilty.

Getting there: Robert and I set out in the morning for the three hour easy drive from the New York’s Capital District to that region. About two hours later on I-90 East, we broke up the trip by getting off at Worcester, Massachusetts where we ate lunch at O’Connor’s Restaurant and Bar. This highly rated Irish restaurant was divided up into different uniquely decorated rooms that each reminded us of our trip last year to that lovely country.

We found O’Connor’s to be a good choice as the service was great and the menu had a nice selection of big portioned, tasty items.

Newburyport, MA : Accommodations had already been booked up in Ipswich for the big event, so we made a reservation at the lovely Clark Currier Inn  in nearby Newburyport.

About a 30 minute drive from Ipswich, this pretty coastal city was having its own celebration, Yankee Homecoming, which, as its website notes, is designed to revive appreciation for the heritage and beauty of New England by bringing back natives and visitors to the region’s towns and cities.

So after checking in, we walked over to listen to bands and to take a look at the numerous stands of food and crafts that were being offered all over the city’s main area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Castle Hill: And then it was on to Ipswich for the 8:00 pm performance. Castle Hill is part of The Crane Estate which encompasses more than 2,100 acres overlooking Crane Beach, Crane Wildlife Refuge, and winding salt marshes. The gates opened at 4:00pm, and we made our way up the heavily secured property, ready with lawn chairs to stake out our spot for the night.

Huge white helium balloons lined the grounds, giving it a bit of a surreal effect. I didn’t know how useful these “decorations” were, though, until later that evening.  As the sky grew dark, the balloons started to glow, sending off enough light to delicately illuminate the area, but not too much that their glare distracted from the festivities. Great idea!

Then, at 8:00 pm, Trustees President and CEO Barbara Erickson started the evening. “All of us believe that these places matter. We care for 116 landmarks and landscape across the state of Massachusetts improving the quality of life for residents and visitors. Together we believe in a future of special places, saving majestic mountains,beautiful gardens, sandy beaches, towering trees glorious sunsets and jaw dropping views like this one,” she said.

Robert Berhardt conductor for the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra then came on the stage to conduct a wonderful concert. We all know I’m a sci-fi geek so I was happy to listen to John William’s Jedi Steps and Finale from the Force Awakens. The audience also loved the orchestra’s unusual performance of Stairway to Heaven.

Beautiful Megan Hilty appeared twice to sing several selections including two from the musical drama, Smash, and one from the Broadway play, Wicked. She also sang several classic hits including “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” and “Someone to Watch Over Me”

Magical evening! Click HERE to see what other events are coming up including those organized to further celebrate the Trustees 125th anniversary.