Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
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NORTHSHOREMAG.COM 34 MAY 2018 Hamilton and Wenham are often mentioned in the same breath. Wenham is smaller and closer to the commercial bustle of Beverly and Danvers, while Hamilton, to the north, is larger and more pastoral. However, the two towns share a deep sense of history, striking natural beauty, and small-town charm. Tucked away o Route 128, the landlocked pair of towns may not have the coastal cachet of some of their North Shore neighbors. But that just makes it all the more delightful when you discover the treasures of these less-vaunt- ed destinations. A profound connection to the past suuses both towns. As you enter from the south, you pass Wenham Lake—today a serene body of water, but once the epicenter of the ice export industry in the area. e purity and clarity of the lake's ice made it a big seller in Britain, and even Queen Victoria was rumored to be a fan. Up the road, the Wenham Museum showcases the area's heritage with exhibits that oer information, fun, and an occasional hint of whimsy. Collections of vintage toys, dolls, and trains are especially popular with children, and a new installation highlights the area's equestrian history. In Hamilton, the legacy of famed World War II hero General George S. Patton, a onetime resident, is evident in several places. Patton Park includes expected features like a popular playground and sports elds, but also displays a Sherman tank in homage to the military man. Drive along Asbury Street for glimpses of the Patton Homestead— donated to the town in 2012—and Green Meadows Farm, still owned by the family (but no longer operating a farm stand). is sense of history extends to the towns' terrain as well. Meander along back streets and main roads by car or bike and you will see tree-shaded lanes and stone-fenced elds that harken back to the area's agricultural past. Several local walking paths and recrea- tional properties have been joined together to form the Discover Hamilton Trail, an eight- mile loop that passes through leafy forests, scenic wetlands, and cow-dotted elds, showcasing the diversity of the landscape. On the eastern edge of town, the John J. Donovan Reservation and Sagamore Hill Conservation Area oers a short hike to an open hilltop with expansive views of the area. e Hamilton-Wenham region is also a destination for equestrian enthusiasts. Dozens of stables operate in the two towns and even a casual horse lover will delight in the frequent sight of the animals browsing in hillside paddocks. Myopia Hunt Club, largely a private association, welcomes the public to attend / F A C E S + P L A C E S / PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROBERT BOYD AND BRIANNA HOLLAND polo matches—and experience the thunder- ing hooves—throughout the summer. readed through the area's history and natural beauty is a strong sense of commu- nity. At the Hamilton-Wenham line, a cluster D A T E O F S E T T L E M E N T 1635 D A T E O F I N C O R P O R A T I O N 1643 A R E A 8.1 square miles P O P U L A T I O N 5,135 Z I P C O D E 01984 M E D I A N H O U S E H O L D I N C O M E $ 99,375 Buker School Notable residents: Author Paul Harding, accused Salem witch Sarah Good S C H O O L N O T A B L E R E S I D E N T S THE DETAILS: WENHAM Both towns have small town charm. Top to bottom, Post oce, polo at Myopia Hunt Club, Patton Park, and scenic open spaces.