Greenwood Farm

Greenwood Farm is a 216-acre historic property in Ipswich centered on a First Period farmhouse built in 1694 called the Paine House. The grounds include gardens, pastures, meadows, woodlands, and salt marshes that have been part of the property for centuries.

Robert Paine Jr., a Harvard graduate and juror in the Salem witch trials, built the Paine House in the 1690s as part of a land grant in Ipswich. The structure survived the centuries and became an important example of colonial-era architecture.

The Paine House displays First Period architectural details and furnishings from the 17th through 19th centuries, showing how prosperous colonial families lived and decorated their homes. Visitors can see the careful craftsmanship in the shadow moldings and period pieces that fill the rooms.

The property is maintained by The Trustees of Reservations and welcomes visitors year-round across its diverse natural landscapes. Walking paths wind through the different habitats, and you can explore at your own pace regardless of the season.

Beneath the house lies a crawl space that functioned as a dairy storage area during colonial times, showing how families preserved food before modern refrigeration. This hidden chamber remains largely unchanged and offers insight into domestic life three centuries ago.