Crane Beach was formed in 1945 as a gift of 1,000 acres from the estate of Richard T. Crane, Jr. after his death to the Trustees of Reservations, Massachusetts’ largest preservation and conservation nonprofit. The 1,000 acres was most of the current Crane Beach to the dunes of Castle Neck, with a further 350 acres added when Crane’s wife Florence died in 1949. 

One thing that carried over from when it was part of the Crane Estate is an annual celebration called Crane Beach Day. It originated in 1911 when Richard and Florence Crane began inviting local school children to the beach to celebrate their son, Cornelius’ 6th birthday. The modern version has students from Doyon and Winthrop Elementary Schools, and Ipswich Middle School head to the beach for the day. 

Crane Beach has also been used as a setting for several movies. The 1968 film “The Thomas Crown Affair” starring Steve McQueen has a scene where McQueen’s character drives a buggy down the beach. Scenes from 2019’s “Little Women” also filmed on the beach.

The beach is open year round from 8AM-Sunset, and day passes can be purchased on the Trustees website. Horseback riding is permitted on Crane Beach from 10/1-3/31.