Parson Capen House, Topsfield Historical Society, Topsfield Massachusetts

2020 Strawberry Festival Cancelled

With sadness but resolved to follow state orders and protect public health, the Topsfield Historical Society Board of Directors has cancelled the 2020 Topsfield Strawberry Festival.

Although Governor Baker’s Emergency Order is currently in effect only until May 4, the Strawberry Festival requires months of work by over eighty volunteers long before the Festival Day in June. Strawberries and shortcakes must be ordered and prepared, vendors’ booths and wares created, and non-profit community groups must plan and work on their Festival presence. In these uncertain times, the BOD recognized that these efforts, which make for a successful Festival that attracts thousands of visitors to Topsfield, could not safely take place this year.

We are very grateful to all who make such a valuable contribution to the Strawberry Festival. We are honored to have opened summer in Topsfield with this community-wide event for over fifty years. We are resolved:

Next year’s 2021 Strawberry Festival will be the best ever!

Norm Isler, President
Board of Directors, Topsfield Historical Society

Support the Festival Vendors

Festival Community

Parson Capen House

2019 Summer Hours

1:00 - 4:00pm
Sunday, Wednesday, Friday
June 9 to August 30
(Please check this page before your visit!)
Free
Volunteer Docents on site to explain the history of the House and Grounds.
If you are coming from a distance, or further questions, please email CapenHouse@TopsfieldHistory.org to verify that the House will be open.

The Parson Capen House is one of the finest surviving example of Elizabethan architecture in America. The house is situated on a knoll overlooking the Common, originally on a twelve acre lot of land granted Reverend Capen by the Town in 1682. Parson Capen served the Church in Topsfield for 44 years until his death.

The Topsfield Historical Society purchased the house in 1913. It was restored under the direction of George Francis Dow, and an official housewarming was held on January 14, 1914.

History of the Parson Capen House

Download written directions(pdf file).

Marker designating the Parson Capen House as a National Historic Landmark possessing national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America. In 1960 the Parson Capen House was designated a National Historic Landmark. In awarding the designation the U.S. Department of Interior stated that this site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America.