Heritage Tours offer a chance for you to take a stroll about town while learning about the rich history of Newburyport. All tours will be led by a 12th generation Newburyport native, Ghlee E. Woodworth, author of award winning, Tiptoe Through the Tombstones, Oak Hill Cemetery, Volume I (available at tiptoethroughthetombstones.com).
 Walking Tour of Newburyport Civil War Sites
Saturday, July 24th, 5:00 - 6:30pm
Begins and ends in front of 57 State St. (Arthur Page Insurance Co) located at State and Pleasant Sts. (tour length ~ 90 min.)
Bill Hallett and Liz Gardell will lead us back in time to the mid-19th century and the conflict that nearly tore the country apart. Newburyport is rich in Civil War history and now those times get their due. See the location of the family dry goods store where Capt. Bartlett worked before becoming a casualty of the Battle of Antietam. See the location of the old meeting house where Frederick Douglas spoke against slavery on his first New England tour. See the home of a prominent citizen and presidential hopeful who was a dear friend of Jefferson Davis. Intersperse these sites with the accounts of famous ships and a Newburyport man who became a Confederate General. Find out what Mayor Jackman and the city did upon hearing of the Lincoln Assassination, and more!
Plum Island Airport Open House
Sunday, July 25th, 9:00am - 3:00pm
Visit the museum and learn about the first test flights on Plum Island and view the model of the original airport and buildings.
Clipper City Rail Trail Tiptoe Walking Tour
Sunday, July 25th, 10:00am - 11:30am
Meet at the Cashman Park/Merrimack River entrance.
While walking along the Clipper City Rail Trail, enjoy learning about Newburyport’s history: Pearson’s Bakery, the E.P. Dodge shoe factory, Cashman Park, the Quaker Cemetery, the Old Jail, Old Hill Burying Ground and African Americans in the 1800s.
Superior Courthouse on Bartlet Mall Open House
Sunday, July 25th, 10:00am - Noon
Visit the 1805 courthouse, designed by Charles Bullfinch, and learn about its history and architecture.
Old South Church Tour
Sunday, July 25th, 11:45am - 1:00pm
Tour the church and steeple and hear about the rich history of the church. Wear comfortable shoes.
Historic Tour of St. Paul's Church
Sunday, July 25th, Noon - 4:00pm
Please meet at the Church doors.
Tours are offered of St. Paul's Church, founded in 1711 and the oldest continuing Episcopal Parish in Massachusetts. The tour includes the main church building and sanctuary, Paul Revere bell, the graveyard with stones dating from 1732 and historic St. Anna's Chapel, unchanged since it was built in 1863. Tours last 45-50 minutes and are on the half hour. Donations gratefully received.
Plum Island Lighthouse Tour
Sunday, July 25th, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Meet at the lighthouse at the northern tip of Plum Island.
Enjoy a panoramic view of Salisbury, Newburyport, and the Isles of Shoals while learning about the history of the Plum Island Lighthouse. To aid ships entering the river, local mariners at first built fires on the beach and erected poles holding torches. This proved inadequate, and the General Court of Massachusetts authorized the building of "two small wooden lighthouses on the north end of Plumb Island" in 1787. They were finished the following year. The present Plum Island Lighthouse was first lighted on September 20, 1898. Wear comfortable shoes. Climbing a steep ladder is required.
Plum Island Clam Plant Open House
Sunday, July 25th, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
The Shellfish Purification Plant on Plum Island is the oldest operating depuration plant in the world and one of five existing in the United States . Built in 1930 by the City of Newburyport to treat shellfish from the Merrimac River , today the plant is managed by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Soft shelled clams harvested from areas within Boston Harbor , Saugus/Revere as well as from the Merrimac River are processed for at least three days in nine available treatment tanks. The plant draws seawater from 2 deep seawater wells and sterilizes with ultraviolet light. The Newburyport Shellfish Plant has entertained visitors from all over the world and will be celebrating its 80th year of operation this summer.
African Americans in the Newburyport 1800s
Monday, July 26th, 10:00am - 11:30/noon
The walking tour begins and ends at Brown Square, across from City Hall on Pleasant Street.
Learn about the history of Newburyport African Americans and some of the leaders in their community, George Gray, Edward Moses, and Peter Romily, the abolitionists, Richard Plumer and William Ashby, and the Underground Railroad.
Yankee Homecoming Historical Tours By Ralph Ayers
Monday, July 26 - Saturday, July 31, 10:30am & 2:30pm
Meet at Information Booth, Waterfront Park.
Enjoy a two hour narrated historical tour through Newburyport, Newbury and Plum Island, offered by the eminent local historian Ralph Ayers. He will be offering colorful and interesting stories and sites of our buildings, parks and history of the area. Donations only; proceeds to support Yankee Homecoming. For special group tours, see Chairperson on site.
History of Plum Island
Monday, July 26th, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Parker River Wildlife Headquarters, Plum Island Turnpike.
Through a power point presentation by Mike Bulger, take a trip back into history and learn about the beginnings of Plum Island in the late 1800s and early 1900s... when people first arrived, the Plum Island Hotel, the early cottages, the new roads and bridges, the lighthouses, and some of the people who first invested in the small barrier island. During the past three years Mike has collected hundreds of photos and newspaper articles about the history of Plum Island. Come join us for an enjoyable evening.
Oak Hill Cemetery
Tuesday, July 27th, 10:00am - 11:30am
Visit the gravesites of Newburyport mayors, ministers, doctors, and photographers. Tour the Brown Chapel currently under restoration.
Tracy Mansion Tour, Public Library
Tuesday, July 27th, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Meet in the lobby of the Newburyport Public Library.
Come see the 18th-century Tracy Mansion, the original Newburyport Library built in 1771. Hear Dorothy LaFrance, retired head librarian, give a lively tour about how this historic building has contributed to our rich heritage and how it was transformed into an important part of the renovated library.
Piel Craftsmen
Wednesday, July 28th - Friday, July 30th, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday, July 31st, 10:00am - 4:00pm
3½ Center Street across from Ten Center Street restaurant.
Established over 50 years ago, Piel Craftsmen have produced over 20,000 ship models. Over the years craftsmen have also restored thousands of ship model wrecks to their original condition. Come visit and talk to staff and learn about the history of building ship models including the 1800s clipper ships, schooners, and whaling ships.
African Americans in the Newburyport 1800s
Wednesday, July 28th, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Meet on Hill Street at Highland Cemetery.
Visit African American gravesites in Highland Cemetery and Old Hill Burying Ground. Hear about Mr. Romily, a restaurant owner, a runaway slave, Mrs. Dickson whose freedom was purchased in Virginia by a Newburyporter, and the Underground Railroad.
The Cemetery Crawl
Thursday, July 29, 10:00am - Noon
Meet on Hill Street at Highland Cemetery.
Bronson DeStadler will be leading the St. Paul’s Graveyard tour. We begin at Highland Cemetery and say hello to a writer, a shipbuilder, and the first mayor of Newburyport. Our next stop is across the street at Old Hill Burying Ground to visit gravesites of clockmakers, one of the first bridge builders in the United States, and African Americans. We finish our tour at St. Paul’s Graveyard to hear about the history of St. Anna’s Chapel and some well known Newburyport citizens.
Life in Newburyport: 1950 to 1985
Thursday, July 29, 7:00pm
Newburyport Public Library, Program Room.
Author Jean Doyle discusses her newly published second book on Newburyport history, 1950 to 1985. Signed books will be available pending publication.
Old Hill Burying Ground Gravestone Restoration Project
Friday, July 30, 10:00am - 11:00am
Meet on Greenleaf Street behind Bartlet Mall.
Learn about the current gravestone restoration project and see the process of the repair and restoration of leaning, fallen, and broken stones. Visit gravesites of African Americans, clockmakers, and the author of The Relic of the Revolution.
Walking Tour of Newburyport Civil War Sites
Saturday, July 31st, 9:30 - 11:00am
Begins and ends in front of 57 State St. (Arthur Page Insurance Co) located at State and Pleasant Sts. (tour length ~ 90 min.)
Bill Hallett and Liz Gardell will lead us back in time to the mid-19th century and the conflict that nearly tore the country apart. Newburyport is rich in Civil War history and now those times get their due. See the location of the family dry goods store where Capt. Bartlett worked before becoming a casualty of the Battle of Antietam. See the location of the old meeting house where Frederick Douglas spoke against slavery on his first New England tour. See the home of a prominent citizen and presidential hopeful who was a dear friend of Jefferson Davis. Intersperse these sites with the accounts of famous ships and a Newburyport man who became a Confederate General. Find out what Mayor Jackman and the city did upon hearing of the Lincoln Assassination, and more!
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Please see Complete Heritage Tours schedule at left
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