CUSTOMS DISTRICTS HISTORY
Collector of Customs Gallery
Tue-Sat: 10-5, Sun: 12-5
U.S.S. Revenue Cutter Mass., Custom House History & More
Curator Kevin’s Video Tour
Curator Kevin's Video Tour
Curator Kevin Says: The Collector of Customs Gallery talks about what our museum building was used for. Once the country was formulated and we elected a president in 1789, one of the first things that was discussed was how to pay for everything at a federal level. Alexander Hamilton, the treasury secretary at the time, decided to create customs districts, which included Newburyport. 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.
How did they enforce these taxes? The U.S.S. Revenue Cutter Massachusetts was created, as discussed in the videos below.
Gallery Highlights
U.S.S. Revenue Cutter Massachusetts
The U.S.S. Revenue Cutter Mass. was created to enforce the payment of import/export taxes. It stopped larger ships full of goods and ensured they stopped at the Newburyport Custom House (our museum building.)
Custom House Stand-Up Desk
This stand-up desk had removable pieces to allow easy transport in and out of the Custom House so that tax assessments could be done closer to arriving and departing ships.
What Will You Learn?
The Collector of Customs Gallery takes you to the 1790s. Alexander Hamilton, the secretary of the United States treasury, established the Custom House system in all international seaports up and down the east coast. Their job was to collect tariffs from vessels importing items from foreign seaports.
Also in 1790, Hamilton commissioned ten vessels to be built and called them the marine revenue cutters. Their mission was to patrol the coastline and control smuggling.
The U.S.S. Massachusetts was the first revenue cutter to be built and delivered to the treasury department. Newburyport has the distinction of being named the birthplace of the United States Coast Guard because the shipyard of Searle & Tyler bulit the U.S.S. Massachusetts right here on this river.
In the gallery, enjoy gazing on original letters, licenses and ledgers of this time period.
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.
Plan Your Visit
Plan Your Visit
- Museum Hours
Tue-Sat: 10AM-5PM
Sun: 12PM-5PM
- Tickets
Admission is free with any membership level. For non-members, tickets can be purchased at the museum. Tickets are $10 for adults and free for Newburyport residents.