A HUGE SUCCESS – Chamber’s Trolley Tour Highlights Haverhill’s Cultural Treasures
This past Thursday evening, event goers were treated to an exclusive tour of Haverhill’s finest cultural destinations, arriving in style, during the Greater Haverhill Chamber’s first ever Trolley Tour of the city’s “5 Treasures.” Each trolley was bustling with excitement as we made our way from stop to stop, entertained by charming tour guides delivering historical facts, witty punchlines and plenty of Haverhill trivia. Prizes for correct answers only made the ride more entertaining.
Passengers remarked at the rich history of each location, often noting that it was their first visit to the treasure. Danielle Smida declared, “The Chamber hosted an extraordinary event! It was a beautiful evening to enjoy all of Haverhill’s treasures.”
An old-fashioned trolley is not something that many people have an opportunity to ride these days, only through special events can most people enjoy this type of experience. Brenda Burkholder of Nichols Village declared, “Exploring Haverhill’s five treasures aboard the open-air trolley was a stupendous experience I will always remember!”
Greeted by representatives at each site, guests were treated to food and beverage which was typically representative of the venue, as in the chili samples at Firefighting Museum who plays host to a cook-off competition each year, and apple cider and warm cider donuts at John Greenleaf Whittier’s Birthplace.
It was a wonderful mix of business people and the local community. “What a wonderful evening to learn more about the cultural treasures here in our city! The Chamber and sponsors did a fantastic job of presenting the highlights at each location and allowed my son and me to spend a special evening together,” remarked Michael Petersen.
To see event photos click here. For information about other Chamber events please call (978) 373-5663 or email info@haverhillchamber.com.
More about the destinations –
Tattersall Farm: Haverhill’s own 150 acre farm, this property was owned and worked by the Tattersall family for most of the 20th Century. Bequeathed to the City of Haverhill upon Mary Alice Tattersall’s death in 1999, it remains a working farm under the direction of a Board of Trustees.
Haverhill Firefighting Museum: Experience the evolution of New England Firefighting History at the Haverhill Firefighting Museum, home to one of the largest collections of New England Firefighting History in New England.
Winnekenni Castle: This Castle, built by Dr. James R. Nichols in 1873, is a hidden jewel popular with residents of the local communities and tourists from all over the country. The original structure contained a gothic door opening up to a spacious Grecian Drawing Room, a Pompeian style dining room, Roman-tiled, black-walnut finished library, in addition to a kitchen, sleeping room, storeroom and laundry.
John Greenleaf Whittier’s Birthplace: The Whittier Birthplace was home to Quaker poet and abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier. This treasure remains substantially the same as when the poet lived there. Best known for his poetry—in particular his poem, Snow-Bound—Whittier was also a prime mover in the abolitionist movement.
Buttonwoods Museum: The Buttonwoods site is in the middle of hundreds of years of Haverhill and Merrimack Valley history! A visit to the 1710 John Ward House begins a journey into life in the area during and after English settlement. The museum also houses furniture, ceramics, glassware, quilts, dolls and toys. A visit to the Duncan House illustrates the importance of the Merrimack River in trade, commerce and travel.
