THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF NEWBURYPORT HISTORY
Timeline Gallery
EXPLORE OUR TIMELINE GALLERY
Curator Kevin’s Video Tour
Curator Kevin's Video Tour
Curator Kevin Says: The Custom House’s Timeline Gallery takes you through thousands of years of Newburyport history through a variety of artifacts.
What Will You Learn?
The first gallery across from our visitor’s center welcomes you to explore a historic timeline from pre-historic times to the present. People inhabited the area around the mouth of the Merrimack River for thousands of years. Colonialists from Europe settled it in 1635.
The city of Newburyport eventually became a thriving seaport known for international trade—particularly for shipbuilding in the 18th and 19th centuries.
In this gallery, you’ll enjoy a walk through history.
View Additional Custom House Galleries
Moseley Gallery
Marquand Gallery
The Custom House’s Marquand Gallery details Newburyport’s golden age—the first 50 years after its founding before and during the Revolutionary War.
Coast Guard Gallery
This gallery shows off many aspects of the U.S. Coast Guard. Founded in 1791 as the United States Revenue Service in Newburyport, the Coast Guard got its name change from President Woodrow Wilson in 1915.
Collector of Customs Gallery
The Collector of Customs Gallery talks about what our museum building was used for. Ship captains coming to or from other parts of the globe would need to stop at the Customs House and pay taxes on the goods being imported or exported.
Plan Your Visit
Plan Your Visit
- Museum Hours
Sunday: 12 pm - 5 pm
Closed Monday
- Tickets
Free for NBPT residents, kids under 12, and museum members
Cost of admission includes access to the Discovery Center.
- Parking
City parking is available adjacent to the museum. View parking lot directions.