The Crane Estate

290 Argilla Rd, Ipswich, MA 01938

Celebrate your special day amidst some of the most spectacular scenery in the Northeast. The 2,100-acre Crane Estate is an unforgettable destination for your special event with its winding salt marshes, miles of barrier beach, and beautiful hilltop mansion. Chicago industrialist Richard T. Crane, Jr. first purchased the land that would become The Crane Estate in 1910. Crane was captivated by the beautiful landscape, and over the next two decades worked with some of America's leading architects and landscape architects to shape his summer retreat, sited with hilltop vistas of the Atlantic in an area of the property known as Castle Hill. In 1928, Castle Hill was crowned with a 59-room Stuart-style mansion designed by world-renowned architect David Adler. Today, the Crane family mansion is known as The Great House on The Crane Estate and is protected, along with the rest of Castle Hill, as a 165-acre National Historic Landmark.

To learn more about The Trustees of Reservations, click here.

The Great House
Perched high above beautiful Crane Beach and the Atlantic Ocean, The Great House on the Crane Estate offers a dramatic setting for weddings, celebrations, and corporate functions, with extraordinary atmosphere and breathtaking views along the half-mile-long manicured lawn: The Grand Allée.
The Barn on The Crane Estate
Nestled amid the stunning landscape of Castle Hill, The Crane Barn is a handsome model of rustic times gone by. A study in old-world craftsmanship, this historic, Italian-style barn is a singular and gorgeous setting for your event.
Steep Hill Beach
Schedule a day at Steep Hill Beach on the Crane Estate for fun in the sun. This secluded stretch of white sandy beach at the western edge of Crane Beach is the perfect destination for your company’s summer outing, private family function, or a day of wedding bliss.

Maura McCarthy, Director of Sales and Events

After spending years in the restaurant business in many different facets, Maura jumped into the catering world when she was hand picked to launch and run Newburyport’s Harborside Catering. Six years later, after growing Harborside into one of the North Shore’s premier caterers, she joined the staff at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, where she did sales and event management. She joined Fireside Catering in 2011, and is thrilled to bring her North Shore history and sensibility to Fireside. Maura strives to personalize every event. She encourages all clients to infuse their style, vision and palate into the planning process. Her focus on custom development of every menu and event ensures that all of her clients have a personal and memorable experience. It’s all in the details!