Warm Talks for Cold Winds: The Stanfield Chronicles with David Tory
Warm Talks for Cold Winds: The Stanfield Chronicles – Book 3 Featuring David Tory, Author: The Stanfield Chronicles Sunday, February 4, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Free for CHMM Members Non-members are welcome: $10 admission Continuing our winter Warm Talks for Cold Winds, join author David Tory for a preview of the third novel in his series, The Stanfield Chronicles, on Sunday, February 4, 2024, from 2pm-4-pm. The Stanfield Chronicles is the story of the opening up of New England, prior to and after the arrival of the Separatists, as seen through the eyes of a young man called Isaac Stanfield. The first of three books, Exploration: The Stanfield Chronicles, introduces us to Isaac as a young man in England who decides to become a sailor during the turbulent times of 1613-1620. In the second book, Retribution: The Stanfield Chronicles, we follow Isaac’s journey across the Atlantic after the Mayflower sets sail with the charge to explore the potential for trade and further settlements in New England. The third book of the series will find Isaac living in what we now know as Maudslay Estate in Newburyport, yearning to move farther down the Merrimac River, away from the spoil of incoming settlers. The Stanfield Chronicles have garnered numerous awards, hailed as “suspenseful, poignant, and expertly researched.” After his retirement as co-founder of the Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF), Mr. Tory brought together the intersection of his life-long relationship with sailing and the oceans with his passion for the histories of Europe and the United States. His extensive research of New England stirred a keen interest in the roots of philanthropy in this region and unveiled the generally unknown history about early attempted settlements and the history of the Separatists. Free for CHMM Members. Non-members are welcome: $10 admission. RSVP is required as seating is limited. New this year: Enjoy a Maritime Musical Jam, organized by musical directors John Tavano and Donna Ricci, on the first Sunday of every month from February through June, 1pm-2:30 pm. This informal drop-in includes various local musicians in open rehearsal. Our regular First Friday schedule resumes on Friday, March 1 at 6:00 pm, featuring Timothy Kendall who will talk about the Ship Huguenot, Capt. Alexander Graves, which was struck by lightning at sea in June 1846. ABOUT CUSTOM HOUSE MARITIME MUSEUM The Custom House Maritime Museum’s mission is to engage and inspire all with Newburyport’s unique maritime history by sharing and preserving the Custom House building and collections. Today, the Museum is a dynamic maritime history museum, education and cultural center, and a meeting place for people seeking a unique venue for professional or social gatherings. Housed in an historic landmark, the Museum’s unique collection of maritime objects, art, models, and historical documents reflects the region’s rich history from the seventeenth to the twenty-first century. For more information, visit the museum at www.thechmm.org, call 978-462-8681, or email info@thechmm.org.
Annual Appeal
by CHMM | Nov 8, 2023 | News The Board of Directors extends its sincere gratitude to you, our donors, for inspiring us with your support. Through your generosity, we ended our fiscal year in a strong position. Your gifts enable us to plan for a robust 2024 with new exhibits, expanded education programs for children and seniors alike, and needed preservation of our historic building. Thank you!
Top 29 Best Things to Do in Newburyport
by CHMM | Oct 27, 2023 | News The Custom House Maritime Museum is featured in New England Explorer’s latest article Top 29 Best Things to Do In Newburyport Massachusetts. You’ll find plenty of things to do in Newburyport MA including wandering the city’s historic downtown full of shops and restaurants and relaxing on its beaches or exploring a 4,700-acre nature preserve. We are honored to be chosen as part of this list.
Saunkskwa of Survivance Sculpture & Tribute
The “Saunkskwa of Survivance” sculpture is an artistic tribute to the strength, wisdom, creativity and authenticity of Indigenous women everywhere.
2023 Maritime Days Tall Ship
by ian Opaluch | Feb 24, 2023 | News Our sincere thanks to all who made this year’s Maritime Days a success! A special message from Bob Cronin, General Chair of Newburyport Maritime Days: I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Greater Newburyport community and offer each and everyone involved as a full-time worker, volunteer, visitor, or boardwalk stroller. The Maritime Days event is not only a major fundraiser to support the mission of Custom House Maritime Museum, but also a great opportunity to share all that is exceptional about the Newburyport and its vibrant business community. It is virtually impossible to name all the people involved, from the Board of Directors to children’s chaperones, but here are some highlights. Our Children’s Education program drew over 130 children from Newburyport Youth Services and River Valley Charter School. For three mornings, the Education Committee along with NAO Trinidad crew had the groups tour the ship and then continue with fun and engaging land-based educational activities. Thanks also to all the staff and volunteers who manned the ticket/merchandise booth, boardwalk, and gangway to assist the thousands of visitors to the Nao Trinidad. Rain, shine, or fog, these folks manned their stations for thirteen days! Access to a replica 1519 ship is challenging to some and our volunteers stepped up to lend a hand or arm to make the experience as safe as possible. Just an incredible effort. Thanks also to all who made for a jovial, sellout Welcome Aboard! party. All I saw were smiles as everyone enjoyed an incredible dinner of steamers and lobsters. Lee Biddle on guitar made for the perfect atmosphere during dinner, while The Portermen, joined by one of Nao Trinidad’s crew, drew guests aboard for a first look at the ship. To steal a line from “Jaws,” we needed a bigger tent! Crew from the Trinidad also participated in the Lantern lighting at the Bartlett Mall, beautifully singing a sea chanty appropriate for the occasion. And finally, we couldn’t have been successful without the cooperation of the City of Newburyport, especially Mayor Sean Reardon, the DPS, and of course the Harbormaster’s Department led by HM Paul Hogg. Special thanks also go to the USCG Station Merrimac River and the professional crew of NAO Trinidad. I also want to thank the sponsors that rented out the ship for private events, supported the Children’s Education programs, and launched the Welcome Aboard! night. Finally, a heartfelt thanks to Rochester Electronics for graciously being the presenting sponsor. This was truly a team effort and community event that brought thousands of people to explore the Nao Trinidad and enjoy all that downtown Newburyport has to offer. A big thank you one and all.
Congratulations Jeffrey Briggs!
A HUGE congratulations is in order for sculptor Jeffrey Briggs. Name sound familiar? That’s because he’s the sculptor for the “Legendary Newburyporters” exhibit at The Custom House Maritime Museum. He recently received the ‘Newburyport Individual Community Service’ award from Mayor Sean Reardon. This award is given to an individual whose volunteer efforts have touched the lives of others and brightened our city. This award seeks to recognize individuals for the longevity of their work, the impact it has had on the city, and the additional giving it has inspired in others. This could go to those who have worked on issues of housing and food insecurity, those who have served as mentors, coaches, or leaders for youth sports or activities, those who have organized important volunteer initiatives, or others. We want to extend our gratitude to Jeffrey as well. In addition to being a world-renowned sculptor, he’s always been a friend and supporter of CHMM.
Newburyport Hidden Heroes – Adolphus Greely
Adolphus Greely, was on the cutting edge of technology. He was one of the first telegraphers in the military, a founder of the U.S. Weather Service, and introduced the radio and the automobile to the military, as well.
Newburyport’s Essex National Heritage Visitor’s Center
Have you ever traveled any stretch of the ninety mile route of the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway to explore the picturesque and historic Boston’s North Shore? The route meanders through fourteen coastal communities in Essex County and makes a greatday.
We Love Our Lighthouse! Photos & Oral History
It was the evening of August 5th, 2022 when the Custom House Maritime Museum transported its members back to the lives of New England lighthouse keepers and their families.
Nathaniel Tracy Letter: Custom House Collection
The Custom House Maritime Museum is proud to have been able to bid, and win, this letter for our collection – and bring it back home. We were able to do that through a generous donation by a local anonymous benefactor.