Yeat! Yeat! Don’t Tell Me!
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.6″ custom_padding=”6px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.6″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.6″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.8.0″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.4em” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] Newburyport’s Historical Trivia Show! What do you get when you combine NPR’s Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me!, Jeopardy! and Stump Trivia? A whole new take on Q&A game shows designed for Zoom and today’s stay-at-home world. Show off your Newbury-area historical chops, win great prizes and maybe learn something from (or teach something to) your hosts, Jack Santos, Customs House Maritime Museum, and Colleen Turner Secino, Museum of Old Newbury. Join us Friday February 19 at Noon for one half hour of fun and games…and be eligible to win a special prize! Don’t Forget! Friday February 19 at Noon.zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86947958849 [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
Covid-19 Protocols and Practices as of 12/13/2020
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ custom_padding=”6px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.6.5″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.6″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.5″ text_font_size=”25px” text_line_height=”1.4em” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] Covid-19 Protocols and Practices as of 12/13/2020: With the recent decision by the Baker-Polito administration to return Massachusetts to Phase 3/Step1 guidelines of operation, the Custom House Maritime Museum would like to take the opportunity to remind our patrons of our current practices in keeping with the newest guidelines and information. With Covid-19 infections on the rise, admission to the museum will be timed entry at the top of the hour (similar to a historic house tour model), and limited to six people per hour. All visits will be kept to capacity. Facemasks will be required for everyone inside the museum (meaning worn over both mouth and nose at all times). Sanitizing stations are located upstairs and down, and we will be cleaning common areas and surfaces regularly. As some of our galleries are on the smaller side, we will have signs indicating maximum occupancy outside of each gallery. Walk-ins will be only be accepted if we have not reached the six-person capacity for the hour, so the CHMM is asking visitors to pre-purchase tickets through our online portal (click here), in order to ensure a place during our normal weekend hours of operation this winter. Though there is no charge for admission for Newburyport residents, we are asking that residents pre-register through our ticket page online as well. Thank you for your continued support, and have a Happy New Year. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
“Come See the Tree Near the Water!”
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.6″ custom_padding=”6px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.6″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.6″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.5″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.4em” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] “Come see the tree near the water!” When these words were exclaimed by a 5-year-old girl to her Father this past weekend, we knew that we had achieved what we had set out to do. The Maritime Tree mission was meant from the start to be more than a fundraiser. While it was also intended to promote other nonprofit organizations, ultimately we sought to bind our community together in a time where we are often required to be apart. The vibrant Newburyport community of non-profits, businesses, students, and families have come together to make Custom House Maritime Tree a joyous environment in a safe and responsible manner. We would like to thank all who have made this event so impactful for our community. Everyone who bought and decorated a ring owns a piece of the success of this initiative. We could not have done this without you, or without the other organizations who stepped in to enhance with their contributions this event, and we would like to acknowledge them here. The Maritime Tree topper, Triton with Horn (also known as the Merman), was hand-cut and crafted by the Museum of Old Newbury’s Co-President, David Mack. This mythical creature originated on the ancient shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Triton, with his conch shell trumpet and laurel wreath crown, was the messenger of the sea, and the son of Poseidon. The tree topper measures 15″ H x 18 “W and is mounted on a 3′ steel pole. It is currently being auctioned off, and bids will be accepted through end of day, January 1, 2021. To place a bid, go to: www.newburyhistory.org Lowell’s Boat Shop and Museum placed a yellow dory at the base of the tree for children of all ages to enjoy. They are currently running a raffle through December 17, 2020 for a chance to win an original painting of the dory Provident, by Ellen Doremus. Tickets are $10. The dory planter at Peach Plum Flower Shop is also available for sale, and check out Lowell’s online store through December 21st for great boating inspired, and branded gifts! www.lowellsboatshop.com The Actors Studio of Newburyport have placed $10 gift bags for sale at the Custom House Maritime Museum Store (or text 707070 with subject line: goodie bag). Each bag contains a certificate, good for one of a variety offerings of virtual classes and workshops, a Story Slam T-Shirt, or limited edition 30th Year Anniversary calendar for 2021! www.newburyportacting.org If you love the theatre, the Firehouse Center for the Arts is offering “I Believe,” a 6-Pack of tickets for just $100, good for anytime, and for any show in the next five years! This includes planned virtual and outdoor performances, as well as live shows when they are safely able to open their doors! These would make a perfect stocking stuffer or gift for the theatre lover of your family. You can choose to use them individually over time, or all at once as a group for friends and family. www.firehouse.org Come see the Newburyport Art Association’s installation of two sculptors’ work on the back lawn. The display features three works by Madeleine Lord, the welded steel “Angel,” “Applause,” (below) created with the springs of discarded auditorium chairs, and “Polar Bear,” whose subject matter and material (enamel-coated steel, a now “extinct” material), elude to environmental issues. Works by Joseph Gray include “A Moment in Time,” created from aluminum mounted on Goshen stone, and “Aloft,” in collaboration with artist Asia Scudder, sits on the stone Eagle Bench. These works are available for purchase. Scan the QR code on the sign nearby for more information, or contact the NAA at: newburyportart.org The Yankee Homecoming board has placed a food collection bin on the lawn to provide much needed food for local pantries of: The Salvation Army, Pettengill House, the First Parish Church of Newbury Community Food Pantry, and Our Neighbor’s Table. When you visit the Maritime Tree please remember to bring along a boxed or canned food item to donate. You can get ideas of the needed items from their website or to make a monetary donation at: yankeehomecoming.com/food-pantry-donations The Newburyport Horticultural Society, established in 1944, is a vibrant, active group of members who all share a common love of gardening, and enjoyment of our natural surroundings. Newburyport enjoys many beautiful gardens due to their work, and this year their design of the Santa House in Brown Square is a delight for people of all ages. Their membership has evolved and grown over the years, but they are always welcoming new members – even in the winter months! www.newburyporthort.org Community Service of Newburyport, Inc. is a service organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and children in need in Newburyport, Newbury, and West Newbury by providing economic assistance in a caring environment. The donation of personal care items has been suspended at this time, but you can make a monetary donation at: www.communityserviceofnewburyport.com/donate.html Greater Newburyport Ovarian Cancer Awareness (GNOCA) will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2021. Please join us to help plan for events such as the Newburyport Lantern Festival during September, National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month; we welcome new members. Our Helping Hands Meal Program for women in treatment and monthly discussion group continue throughout the year. Donations are gratefully accepted at ocawareness.org. Please help us FILL THE TREE! The Custom House Maritime Museum is selling life rings through the end of the December at the Museum store or online at: buyalifering.com. The Museum Store also has new merchandise for holiday gift ideas. You can buy in-person or online at https://14z.36f.myftpupload.com/our-store/. Members receive a 10% discount. Membership is a great way to preserve and experience our local maritime heritage. Consider giving a gift of membership for your loved ones (or yourself) at: https://14z.36f.myftpupload.com/membership/ The Custom House Maritime Tree will light up nightly until January 6, 2021. Help us share this fun event by posting your photo
From all of us at the Custom House Maritime Museum
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ custom_padding=”6px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.6.5″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.6″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.5″ text_font_size=”25px” text_line_height=”1.4em” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] Good day, from all of us at the Custom House Maritime Museum! It’s been an amazing journey so far in bringing the first annual Custom House Maritime Tree to life. Last week we erected the tree on the museum’s back lawn, and participating nonprofit organizations began placing their contributions about the property. Amongst else, we have sculptures from artists at the Newburyport Art Association, a tree topper from the Museum of Old Newbury, a colorful dory from Lowell’s Boat Shop, and a food donation drop box from Yankee Homecoming (See a full list of participants below). Our community has come together to make this effort a resounding success, and a genuinely heart-warming holiday event in a time where we desperately need one another’s support and company. Thank you all so much! (Click to watch a time-lapse video of the tree going up!) Last Friday we lit the tree live on Facebook, and we were elated to see so many families and individuals come to the site of the museum to witness what we hope will be the first of many such occasions in the coming years. Children piled in the dory, and ran about the tree singing and dancing when the lights came on. It was then that we realized what this means to our community: we are family. All of us. (Watch the tree lighting) Maybe it is because we have spent so long staying away from one another, but witnessing how much fun everyone was having gathered around our little museum yard, filled our hearts in ways we could not anticipate, and we knew then that this was truly something special. We want to maintain this uplifting spirit for the whole season, and bring it back again next year! But before we plan for that: we still need to fill the tree this year! If you haven’t done so already and want to be a part of this wonderful season of unity, consider decorating a ring, coming down to the museum, and hanging it on our tree. There is still plenty of room and we want to see it completely filled before the end of the month. If you would like to participate, go to: buyalifering.com to get your ring today. Our inventory is limited but we would like to see all the rings decorated! Thank you all for support, and accept our deepest wishes for a safe and happy holiday season for you and your families. With warmest regards, The Board, Leadership, Staff, and Volunteers of the Custom House Maritime Museum There’s still space on the tree, and rings can be purchased while supplies last at: buyalifering.com Our gratitude to the current sponsors of this community initiative, which include: *Finneran & Nicholson, P.C. who sponsored small garland life rings to be decorated by students at the Francis T. Bresnahan Elementary School, and the River Valley Charter School as part of an art project. And the list of participants is growing: * The Museum of Old Newbury is creating the topper which will be auctioned off * Lowell’s Boat Shop is providing a dingy to explore and makes a great photo opportunity * The Newburyport Art Association is exploring to have a few sculptures placed along the flower beds on the side lawn * The Actors Studio of Newburyport will be selling gift grab bags * The board of Yankee Homecoming is setting out a collection box for food to be distributed to The Salvation Army, Pettengill House and First Parish Church of Newbury Community Food Pantry. They will also have a website to make monetary donations to the Pantry’s, which will be split equally between along with Our Neighbor’s Table. * Theatre in the Open (TITO); Merrohawke Nature School; The Newburyport Horticultural Society; Community Service of Newburyport, Inc.; Opportunity Works and Greater Newburyport Ovarian Cancer Awareness are promoting awareness by placing lawn signs near the tree. *The tree will be lit by Fusion Blue Productions with the help of Valley Tree Service. *Wing Walker Marketing has donated their time and expertise *Special thanks to 4Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning for donating hardware and time to figure out how to erect a 30-foot tree using the flagpole as a base. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
Ring in the Holidays!
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ custom_padding=”6px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.6.5″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.6″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.5″ text_font_size=”25px” text_line_height=”1.4em” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] The Custom House Maritime Museum is excited to debut The Custom House Maritime Tree on the Custom House lawn, on December 4, 2020. In the spirit of community in Newburyport, our own maritime themed tree representation will be raised on the museum’s back lawn, and replica boating life rings will be used as ornaments, tied together to reflect our mutual dependence, and the heritage of our maritime city. These rings are meant to be decorated by YOU! Celebrate the season and our community by decorating the life rings any way you like! Add paint, garland, business names, dedications, or holiday seasonal messages that represent your family, your business, your interests, or just add your name and we will hang them on the tree! They can be returned at the end of the event to the purchaser for their own creative use as ornamentation in years to come. Replica life rings, ready for decorating, can be purchased by the public and local businesses starting November 4. Replica life rings come in 3 different sizes: 6 Inch rings for $10 10 Inch rings for $25 15 Inch rings for $100 The life rings are available for purchase: Online at buyalifering.com OR at the CHMM gift shop, and other local retail outlets If you purchase your replica life ring online, it will be available for pickup in the CHMM gift shop beginning Saturday, November 7th. You can pick them up during weekend business hours, OR Mon/Wed/Fri. between 10am and 2pm by ringing the bell at the back door of museum. All replica life ring sale proceeds benefit the Custom House Maritime Museum. Get yours now! Supplies are limited! Many of our local cultural non-profits, and educational institutions are already participating in this community event! Museum of Old Newbury is making the tree topper that will be auctioned off (could also be used as a garden adornment). Lowell’s Boat Shop will place a boat at the base of the tree – great thing for kids to play in and a perfect back drop for a family photo. The Actors Studio of Newburyport is decorating the base of the tree with mock gift bags. The real gift bags will be for sale – $20. Each bag has an item – acting class, t-shirt etc. Also joining us are the Newburyport Choral Society, the Firehouse Center for the Arts, the Newburyport Art Association, and the Merrohawke Nature School! Newburyport Bresnahan school students, guided by Pamela Standley-Jamison (M.Ed Visual Art Education Teacher), are decorating 360 small 3″ rings as an art project. We cannot wait to hang them on the tree! Thanks to Finneran and Nicholson, P.C. for sponsoring the rings for the students [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
Museum Re-Opening on July 9th
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.6″ custom_padding=”6px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.6″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.6″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.6″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.4em” hover_enabled=”0″] To the Patrons of the Custom House Maritime Museum: On the 9th of July 2020 the Custom House Maritime Museum will reopen its doors as outlined in phase three of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker’s plan. We are excited to share with you gallery revisions and museum renovations on which we have been hard at work during the period that we have been unable to open. As we prepare to welcome the public back into the museum, we want to invite you to experience our new exhibition: Entertainment for Man and Horse: Victuals, Libations, and Distractions in an Early American Tavern. This exhibit is focused on the social role of the local tavern in early American history in places like Newburyport. The title of the exhibit comes from a common phrasing used on tavern signs in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. While perhaps sounding somewhat comical to modern ears, the word entertainment here means accommodation. It is the desire of the Custom House to take a leading role in rebuilding confidence and community connections in this time. In so doing, we take inspiration from the tavern spaces of our history, embodying the social values of our time and central place in our community as a place of assembly, entertainment, education, and a destination to have some fun. The CHMM looks very different, and will operate with a new truncated daily schedule of Thursday through Saturday 10:00-4:00 and Sunday 12:00-4:00. Admission to the museum will be timed entry on the hour, similar to a historic house tour model. Tickets can now be purchased online in order to reserve your place for a tour or self-guided visit, and Newburyport residents are free with ID, but we still recommend that you reserve tickets. We can only accommodate six people per hour, and walk-ins will still be allowed as long as we have not reached capacity for that hour. Please click here to reserve your tickets! The CHMM board, staff, and volunteers have been taking all precautionary measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 and requests anyone entering the building to comply with these standards as well. Please do not plan to visit if you think you have been exposed, or show signs of illness. The revised tour practices will allow docents to interact with visitors while still practicing social distancing. Facemasks will be required for guests, staff, and volunteers in the museum in order to keep everyone safe. Training sessions and a soft opening July 7th and 8th with sponsors and special guests will help staff fine-tune our new procedures in advance of opening. Routine cleaning with approved products, the installation of sanitizing stations and modifications to the museum store have been made to ensure the safety of our guests, volunteers, and staff. I hope that you will join us, as well as continue to engage with our ongoing virtual programs, as we reopen. Respectfully, Joan Whitlow Executive Director [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
Virtually Yours – The Future of the Custom House Maritime Museum
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.6″ custom_padding=”6px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.6″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.6″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.6″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.4em”] Museums have been particularly hard hit by the COVID-19 shutdown. Some have closed completely to visitors, collecting dust and cobwebs and awaiting what happens next. Some, like Newburyport’s Custom House Maritime Museum, have stepped back and taken advantage of the break by attending to much needed maintenance, and—for the first time in many years—embarking on a bottom-to-top rethinking of exhibits. Some have also started to spend time grappling with age-old questions: “What is a museum? What is our mission? What is important to us?” Our challenge in rethinking the Custom House Maritime Museum (CHMM) is that it is built on a foundation of artifacts and place. It was only last year that the actual building came under the auspices of the museum (up until then it was owned by the Newburyport Redevelopment Authority —a quasi-public-private organization). So, we focused on our stewardship of the building and the artifacts inside of it—all of which were in various states of repair. But beyond that, what’s clear about the future is that technology has been put into hyperdrive. Specific innovations that have been used in pockets (like video conferencing, work at home, etc.) are now the norm – and necessary to move forward in a pandemic world. Museums are no exception – and the one word captures that effort is “virtual.” But what exactly does “virtual” mean for museums, and more specifically for the Custom House Maritime Museum? It comes in many flavors. We are proud of our fast pivot in mid-March. When the world stopped, the CHMM immediately shifted the “First Friday” event online, starting with April’s. It has exceeded everyone’s expectations. Not only do we continue to fill all the virtual seats, we reconnect with people all over the world— former members and prior Newburyport area residents who aren’t local but are extremely appreciative of joining our talks. In this new virtual world, a museum is more than just a place, and more than just artifacts. Our mission must expand, virtually. And we are responding, and planning. Besides “Virtual First Fridays,” we created a series of short tweet-sized video posts about a re-awoken pirate roaming around an empty museum—an innovative way of keeping the museum top-of-mind while reminding viewers of the treasures inside the building. In April, in conjunction with the Museum of Old Newbury, we launched “Yeat Yeat – Don’t Tell Me” – an every-other-Friday 1/2 hour online Zoom event that focuses on Newburyport history trivia and prizes awarded to viewers. That has been an overwhelming success, and is expanding to include special guests—other local history organizations—to promote and talk about what they are doing while having fun with challenging (and some not so challenging) local trivia questions. In July, along with the building’s reopening for timed-entry tours, we’ll introduce a new website positioned to not only tell our message in an engaging way, but also provide a basis for more technology-based opportunities like an online store. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
Annual Meeting 2020
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.6″ custom_padding=”6px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.6″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.6″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.6″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.4em”] The Newburyport Maritime Society (dba Custom House Maritime Museum) held its first Virtual Annual Meeting June 5 2020 due to Covid-19. Doug Muir, outgoing Chairperson, highlighted the CHMM’s success of the past year, beginning with: The 10 day visit of the Nao Santa María during Newburyport Maritime Days; The widely viewed Pottery Exhibit – the Museum’s first exhibit with loaned artifacts; The hiring of Joan Whitlow as Executive Director, and Sean Palmatier as Assistant Director The organization and protection of the collection; The successful repair of the slate roof funded by the Newburyport Community Preservation Committee. Members were treated to an exciting drone video of the CHMM slate roof repair, narrated by Greg Colling, local historical architect from Merrimack Design Architects, PLLC, and Victor Wright, owner of Heritage Company. The CHMM has a professional new brand – developed free of charge – by Matter Communications of Newburyport. Matter’s Rory Nolan, Ashkan Salehi, and Nik Barkley worked on the project and presented the final brand. Everyone is excited with the new look! Joan Whitlow’s engaging highlight tour of the gallery renovations, which took place during the CHMM’s shutdown, was accompanied by a time lapse video of the Mosely Gallery renovations and new exhibits. Ms. Whitlow presented the new exhibit opening July 9th 2020 in the Bushee Gallery: Entertainment for Man and Horse: Victuals, Libations and Distractions in an Early American Tavern. The 2020 Board of Director Officers were introduced: Susan Bernhard, Chairperson; Jack Santos, Vice Chairperson; Mike Laureno, Treasurer; Bob Dignan, Clerk . Each spoke of their respected fields: What is in store for the CHMM this year; virtual programming; the CHMM’s financial status; and election of directors. Tribute was given to outgoing directors: Thom Gould and Ken Jackman for all they have done for the museum during their 6 years’ tenure. Tom and Ken were instrumental for the many significant beneficial changes at the CHMM, including but not limited to: Newburyport Maritime Days; Sea-to-Table; engaging Frist Fridays; ownership of the building. As goodbyes were given, the Board welcomed two new Directors: Jennifer Germaine and George Haseltine and the members voted second terms for Elizabeth Lorayne and Doug Muir. Jack Santos reviewed the success of the virtual First Fridays and the lonely pirate video as well future digital program. Treasurer Laureno explained that in early March the BOD moved to a critical spend budget. The BOD made the decision to complete renovations and with the help of the Newburyport Bank applied and was approved for a payroll protection loan. CHMM’s vision for the immediate future, presented by Susan Bernhard, is the museum opening and providing its visitors, members and staff the opportunity to enjoy wonderful exhibits in a safe environment. The CHMM continues to apply for grants and sponsorships and promote memberships. The museum is thankful for all donations and hopes to conduct fundraising events, such as Sea-to-Table, as well as an exciting new holiday fundraiser, later this year. All of these actions were taken to offset the revenue lost due to the pandemic’s cancelation of Newburyport Maritime Days, the museum’s number one fundraiser. Chairperson Bernhard asked the members to help with the membership promotion. If 10-20% of NBPT residents become members of the four cultural nonprofits: Custom House Maritime Museum; Fire House Theatre; Museum of Old Newbury; and Art Association, it would help each organization tremendously. The evening closed with an appeal to past directors, members, and volunteers to share and record their Custom House Maritime Museum stories for future enjoyment. The video of the annual meeting, slate roof drone video and the time lapse video of the Mosely Gallery can be viewed on the CHMM’s YouTube. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]