Ask any Ipswich Public School student what day of the year is their favorite school day and they will probably tell you “Beach Day”. Each year, thanks to the generosity of Mr. Richard T. Crane and his family; all Ipswich Public School kids enjoy a full day and free picnic on Crane's Beach, instead of going to school.
How did it all begin?
Betsy’s sons, Rowan and Connor at Beach Day on Crane’s Beach
In honor of Beach Day, the Betsy Frost Design BEACH DAY Candle has been created. Now in travel size as well as our generous, large glass jar for home. Enjoy on the patio, deck or dinner table. Embrace the uplifting crisp scent reminiscent of the seashore and clean cotton.
These coconut creme eco-luxury candles are scented with phthalate-free high-quality fragrance and essential oils to emit a soft, long-lasting aroma safely throughout your home.
Order yours HERE online or purchase at the shop.
The Back Story about Beach Day:
Richard and Florence Crane had two children, Cornelius Vanderbilt Crane and Florence Crane. Cornelius wasn't very strong or well as a child; he had severe asthma. The Crane Family began a tradition of inviting all the Ipswich school children to the beach for a day in 1911 to celebrate the sixth birthday of his son, Cornelius. He didn't go to school in Ipswich because it was only a summer home so he didn't have many local playmates.
Cornelius and Florence Crane - The Original Painting at The Crane Estate
In order to cheer him up, his parents decided to have a birthday party on the beach for him. They invited all the school children in Ipswich to join "Corny's" birthday party. This was such a success for Corny and the town children they decided to hold the party every year. The school children would each bring a shoe box for their lunches (possibly the meaning behind “box lunch?”) and walk down to the town wharf where they would be met by men in rowboats. The children would climb into the boats and be rowed out to the beach past Ring Rock and the salt marshes. You can still see the iron rings to which the fishing boats were tied to in Ring Rock. It's the big rock directly across from the town wharf on the right side of the river facing out to the ocean.
When they got to the beach they would wade ashore and be met by Cornelius and his family. The boats would return to the wharf and pick up the next group of children. This continued until all the town's children were together on the beach for the party. On the beach there were large tents set up for shelter from the sun. The children would play games, eat food and help Corny celebrate his birthday. After the party the children were given candy for their families, mints & chocolates to be put in their shoe boxes and carried home safely. They would be rowed back to town wharf to walk home.
Cornelius lived to be about 57. Because the town's children shared in Cornelius' birthday celebration each year and were so kind to him, the family left the town a trust to pay for a picnic each year so that future generations of Ipswich school children could enjoy a day at the beach. Crane Beach Day, which includes a school-provided box lunch for elementary and middle-school students through Grade 8. The beach remains open to the public on this day. This year, Beach Day is held on June 16th.
Fun Fact:
The Actor, Chevy Chase used to spend his summers at the Crane Estate as a child. His full name at birth: Cornelius Crane Chase, named for his adoptive grandfather, Cornelius Vanderbilt Crane. More HERE
Excerpts from this blog and story can be seen HERE originally written by Jennifer Meuse