CHMM hosts a wide variety of public and private events throughout the year, from cultural events to weddings and corporate gatherings to our popular First Friday series for museum members.

Events & Exhibits

In addition to our ongoing exhibits, The Custom House Maritime Museum hosts many cultural events.

Host Your Event Here

The Custom House Maritime Museum is a unique and historic setting for social gatherings and meetings.

Current and Upcoming Events & Exhibits

  • Annual Meeting of the Newburyport Maritime Society

    March 21 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

    Members of the Custom House Maritime Museum are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting of the Newburyport Martitime Society, Inc., on Thursday evening, March 21st, 2019, in the museum's second floor Moseley Gallery. he museum will open to members at 6:00 pm to allow time to meet and speak with museum board members. Chowder will be served at 6:30 pm, and the business meeting to follow will feature an overview of 2018 operations and 2019 trajectory.

  • Spin-a-Yarn Children’s Story and Craft Hour – Postponed

    March 22 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Please join us as we welcome our special guest author and reader Jenn Bogard! Copies of “The ABC’s of Plum Island” will be available for purchase and Jenn will personally autograph them.

  • A Royal Tea – Postponed

    March 28 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

    Please join us for a delightful afternoon Tea with Award- winning Guest Author Anne Easter Smith! $25.00 per person ~ Advanced Reservations Required ~ Limited Tickets Available~ Please call 978-462-8681

  • April First Friday Social: United States Coast Guard Surfmen

    April 5 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

    Members of the Custom House Maritime Museum and their guests are cordially invited to our First Friday Social featuring the United States Coast Guard Surfmen. Surfmen are the elite small boat operators of the U.S. Coast Guard with roots spanning back to the hardy lifesavers of the mid-19th century. Hear firsthand from two Surfmen charged with protecting the mariners of the Merrimack River.

  • “Citizen Soldier” Exhibit

    July 28, 2018 @ 10:00 am - June 30, 2019 @ 4:00 pm

    “The exhibition focuses specifically on items in our collection,” says curator Kevin MacDonald. “It’s an eclectic mix of uniforms, equipment, and souvenirs that help tell the stories of local-area men and women who served their country during the Second Great War, and returned as victorious citizens to their home towns.”

  • Port Pottery Exhibition

    June 1, 2019 @ 8:00 am - January 1, 2020 @ 8:00 am

    The exhibition will focus on early American pottery production in Merrimacport from 1790-1890, with a focus on William Pecker's pottery (circa 1790-1820), and the Daniel Bayley Pottery Company in Newburyport (circa 1764 to 1799). This will cover most of the local pottery production before and after the American Revolution.