Maritime Museum

About the Custom House Maritime MuseumThe Custom House Maritime Museum is managed by the Newburyport Maritime Society, Inc.,established in 1968 to preserve, protect and interpret the maritime heritage of Newburyport andthe Merrimack Valley and its role in American History.

We are connecting the past to the living history of today through interaction and engagement withour unique collection of maritime art, model clipper ships, displays of famous shipwrecks, thehistory of the United States Coast Guard, and much more.

The historic Newburyport Custom House was designed by Robert Mills, architect of theWashington Monument and the U.S. Treasury Building and was built in 1835 to serve thegrowing overseas trade and to collect taxes on the imported goods in the waterfront.

The museum is open year round for events and activities.

January - April: Saturdays 10am-4pm; Sundays and holiday Mondays, 12-4pm

May - December: Tuesday – Saturday 10am-4pm; Sunday and holiday Mondays 12-4pm

For more information and our most current listing of events and activities, please visit themuseum website at www.thechmm.org, or call 978-462-8681, or email info@thechmm.org.

Custom House Maritime Museum25 Water St.Newburyport, MA 01950

Join us in exploring Newburyport’s rich maritime history

2013

Program Highlights

Become a member of the Newburyport Maritime SocietyWe encourage everyone interested in the rich maritime history of Newburyport to support the Custom House Maritime Museum by becoming a member.

To join, please complete below and mail to the Custom House Maritime Museum, 25 Water St., Newburyport MA 01950

Name __________________________________________

Address ________________________________________

City/State/Zip ___________________________________

Telephone ______________________________________

Email __________________________________________

Membership Level:

[ ] Captain $500+

[ ] Mariner $100-499

[ ] Family $75-99

[ ] Individual $40-74

[ ] Cadet (Student) $20

Payment:

[ ] Check enclosed payable to Custom House Maritime Museum

[ ] Charge my Visa or MasterCard

Card# _______________________________________ Expiration: ___________________________________

Volunteer!The museum provides all manner of volunteer opportunities, from administrative and event assistance to docents, research, exhibitions and communications. We invite you to inquire for current opportunities.

First Friday SocialsEach and Every MonthPerhaps our most popular event, First Friday Socials are held each month with thematic hors d’oeuvres plus wine, fine Harpoon beers, the official beer of the Custom House Maritime Museum, and featuring a brief program on a maritime topic or artifact presented by invited guests and experts. Members are encouraged to bring a friend to introduce to the museum and to meet other members, volunteers, directors and special guests while enjoying a relaxing evening in the heart of downtown Newburyport.

Upon a World StageNewburyport Intersections with HistoryJanuary - February

An exploration of Newburyport’s involvement in events and episodes of United States and world history provides enriching insight to the magnitude of military, political, social and diplomatic engagement by our ancestors.

Conflicting StoriesNative Vignettes of the Civil WarMay - July

Regarded as the first modern war, the American Civil War consumed an outsized proportion of Newburyport citizens in its several years of conflict. During this 150th Anniversary of the Civil War’s events from 1863, we revisit a selection of episodes of bravery, charity, courage and service involving those for whom Newburyport was home.

One Woman’s WorldElizabeth Bray’s Journey of DiscoveryMarch - April

Her story is nearly 160-years old and as fresh as the ocean air she breathed. Elizabeth Bray, Newburyport native, mother of three and wife of Captain Stephen Bray, reveals first-hand experiences through more than 140-handwritten-pages of her personal journal, detailing her long sought adventure to sail the world. Experience the story of a lifetime.

Newburyport and NineteenthA Mid-Century-Modern MakeoverJuly - September

An embargo severed her extensive European trade. A debilitating fire wiped out nearly her entire commercial center. And then, America entered its first declared war. This was the trilogy of fateful events that welcomed Newburyport to the 19th Century – a century that would be marked by astounding progress and wealth. This is the story of Newburyport’s period of modernization and of her embracing the industrial age.

Plotting Their CourseThe Fine Art of Maritime Navigation October - November

In 1772, a handful of Newburyport ship captains organized and established what would become a formidable and driving force – the Marine Society of Newburyport. A principle reason was to effectively share their knowledge of the seas. Through a combination of rarely seen and recently acquired pieces of the museum’s collection including charts, maps and instruments, we explore the tools, techniques and resulting artistry of navigating and mapping of the high seas.

Newburyport Chamber Music Festival August 10

The museum hosts the festival’s introduction program on Festival Sunday, featuring Chuck Speicher, music historian and theorist, along with discussion and performances by the festival musicians.

Newburyport Preservation WeekMay 8 - 12

The museum hosts this signature event of the Newburyport Preservation Trust each spring, celebrating the city’s period architecture, neighborhood ambience, heritage landscapes and authentic historic character – and featuring a program of illustrated lectures, social events, and tours and presentation of the annual Preservation Awards.

Five New Exhibitions Coming in 2013