The Macy-Colby House is a historically significant 18th century salt box style house. The house was first built in 1654 by Thomas Macy, a merchant who served as Amesbury's first Town Clerk.

Come visit the birthplace of the legendary fishing Dory. Founded by Simeon Lowell in 1793, the boat shop designed and produced some of the finest small fishing vessels used by American mariners. The shop is a "working museum" where visitors can see boats under construction.

Join us for the annual blessing of the Powow River led by Marcia Goodman Blair of Soul Spirit Journey (www.soulspiritjourney.com). As a holistic health and wellness center, we acknowledge the connection of water and environment to our health. Water not only serves us for drinking, cooking, bathing, and cleaning, it also creates healing natural environments and good energy! The scenic Powow River flows behind the Lyman Center, where it abounds with turtles and great blue herons. After we pause to reflect and appreciate the river, partake of light refreshments, tour our healing and wellness center, and win door prizes! www.LymanCenter.com

Come to the Mary Baker Eddie House to see a demonstration and exhibit of a skill all women learned in the 19th century: the art of stitchery. There will be a live demonstration, including short history, on the art of stitchery. www.longyear.org

Visit the home of John Greenleaf Whittier, the famous ardent abolitionist, journalist, popular poet, Quaker social activist, and essayist. Known as the Quaker Poet, John Greenleaf Whittier lived in Amesbury for his adult life where he produced most of his works, including his famous poem "Snowbound." Guided tour includes the historic house, a National Historic Landmark, and artifacts as they were when Whittier lived there. Tour will also feature garden and the summer kitchen.  Event capacity: 50. www.whittierhome.org

Witness the game of "base ball" (two words in the 19th century) as it was played in 1861. Base ball in this period was a respectable game so the umpire may impose a fine for any inappropriate language or gambling. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and shout out HUZZAH for the home team. Ipswich Ale will also be providing free samples of their beer. Sponsored by the Essex Base Ball Organization and Spencer Peirce Little Farm www.essexbaseball.wordpress.com

Come tour New Eden Collaborative Organic Community Gardens, Chicken Cooperative, Environmental community art projects by the Green Artists League, historic church and cemetery, and stay for organic food fresh baked at New Eden's outdoor cob oven. Visit newedengarden.org and firstparishofnewbury.org newedengarden.org

Come tour the Burgess Aviation Museum, highlighting the 1910 flying field - New England's first - as well as the current airport, which has changed little since the Golden Age of Aviation. Visit a working aircraft restoration facility and watch small planes up close. plumislandaerodrome.org

Join us for a 3 hour outing aboard the charter vessel, Erica Lee, as we cruise down the Merrimack River and out into Ipswich Bay. Along the way, we'll learn about the natural history of this great estuary, as well as haul a few lobster traps or see what turns up from a short tow with a scientific otter trawl. This is a great way to explore what lives on and under the sea in our near shore coastal waters. Limited Availability. EVENT FULL.  Event capacity: 20. www.boatcamp.org

Motor Lifeboat Station Merrimack River will host an open house event for the public to come down and get a guided tour through our station and down to the docks to look through our state of the art boats.

Join the park interpreter on a tour through Maudslay State Park to view the House sites, Gardens, and Farm Complex areas of the former Moseley Family Estate and learn about their historical significance.  Event capacity: 25. www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/maud.htm

Join us in a kayak/canoe paddle through the great marsh. Refuge staff will lead an informative tour inside this wonderful natural resource. This event is limited to 12 boats. You must bring your own kayak/canoe and personal flotation device, boats will not be provided. Limited Availability. Call the refuge to reserve a spot. 978-465-5753x200. PLEASE NOTE: REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT DOES NOT BEGIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER 12.   Event capacity: 12. www.fws.gov/northeast/parkerriver

Tour guide: Ghlee E. Woodworth. Gravestone Restoration. Learn about the current gravestone restoration project and see the process of the repair and restoration of leaning, fallen, and broken stones. tiptoethroughthetombstones.com

Guided tours of Newburyport's oldest church building, which was built in 1756 for the Rev. George Whitefield, including the basement crypt. The Frescoing on the ceiling, walls, and curtains in the back of the pulpit is one of the finest examples of Trompe l'oeil in the country. www.oldsouthnbpt.org

Tour guide: Ghlee E. Woodworth, author of awarding winning Newburyport history book, "Tiptoe Through the Tombstones, Oak Hill Cemetery." Encounter old and new friends during a fascinating informative wander through Newburyport's Oak Hill Cemetery. Learn about sea captains, merchants, mayors, clockmakers, and African Americans. Join us and learn about notable people in Newburyport's fascinating history. oakhillcemeterynewburyport.com

Discover the rich maritime heritage of Newburyport, the eastern seacoast's first major commercial port, and of the Merrimack River Valley. During this tour, you will see a unique collection of maritime art, model clipper ships, artifacts, history of the Coast Guard, and more. The Custom House in downtown Newburyport was designed by Robert Mills, architect of the Washington Monument and U.S. Treasury Building and is now an extraordinary maritime museum, educational center, research facility and meeting place for people seeking a unique venue for professional or social gatherings. thechmm.org

Discover the history of Salisbury and Salisbury Beach. Tour the restored historical Parsonage, home to parish ministers from 1820 - 2004, now home to the Salisbury Historical Society. View historical maps, photographs, post cards, Civil War items, and antique furnishings. Tours of the Pike One Room School-House (built in 1882) located across the street. From 11 AM - noon and 1 - 2 PM, Author Frank Rapisardi will discuss his book "The Royal Bartlett Farm" the story of Salisbury's Bartlett Farm, America's only 11 generation farm derived from European Nobility.

Join Greenbelt at Ordway Reservation! Geocaching takes treasure hunting to high-tech level. Geocache enthusiast and Greenbelt volunteer Ann Jones will teach us the basics of using a Geographic Positioning System to navigate to a "cache". Eastern Mountain Sports has generously loaned a limited number of GPS units for use at this event. Limited to 20 participants; RESERVATIONS required. Available 9/9 AT 9AM online or phone Essex Heritage at 978-740-0444.  Event capacity: 20. www.ecga.org

The Merrimack Valley is home to over 100 species of edible wild plants. Join Russ Cohen, expert forager and author of "Wild Plants I Have Known...and Eaten," on a three-hour ramble in West Newbury to learn about at least two dozen species of edible wild plants. Pending favorable weather conditions, several edible mushroom species may be encountered. Keys to the identification of each species will be provided, along with information on edible portions, seasons of availability, preparation methods, and general guidelines for safe and environmentally responsible foraging.   Event capacity: 50. users.rcn.com/eatwild/bio.htm