Learn Newburyport History
Our rich maritime history, curated by the Custom House Maritime Museum
Legendary Newburyporters Exhibit
Who are the legends that laid the groundwork for Newburyport to persevere through periods of prosperity and turmoil? The Custom House Maritime Museum is honored to host this exhibit.
The Fresnel Lens: History & Pomham Rocks Lighthouse
Through our wonderful relationship with the US Coast Guard, the Fresnel lens has actually been on loan to us for almost 40 years.
Biography: Jonathan Mulliken, Clockmaker
Made here in Newburyport around the time of our War of Independence, the Jonathan Mulliken tall-case clock represents a fine example of American clockmaking from the period.
Fresnel Lens Heading Home: Interview with a Lampist
In September 2021, Kurt Fosburg of Superior Lighthouse Restoration, LLC moved the Fresnel Lens from its home of over four decades at the Custom House Maritime Museum to its original home in the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse in Riverside, RI.
Jacob Little: “Great Bear of Wall Street” & “Railroad King”
Little made large, early investments in the railroad construction industry at a time when many of his peers were suspicious of that kind of investment. His earnings from these investments not only made him exponentially wealthier, but also earned him a new nickname: “Railroad King”.
In Our Collection: Carl S. Johnson’s Autograph Book
Among the Custom House collections, is a small autograph book. The cover is linen embossed with detailed color paper of a bird perched on a branch of flowers. Artistically inspired corner fold reveals a New England scene with a small child playing hoops.
Museum Receives Painting of Ship Anahuac
This beautiful, moody painting depicts the ship in the middle of a “whirlwind” that struck on May 11, 1873, 400 miles W.N.W. of the Azores, while under command of Captain Spalding. The ship limped into the Irish Sea, and was finally towed into Liverpool on May 28.
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.
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. Photographs, videos, oral histories and more had the room abuzz with curiosity— and even disbelief at times.
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.
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.
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 who continue to use survivance strategies to counter the ongoing legacy of settler colonialism and loss of children, land, resources and culture.
Daniel I. Tenney Figurehead & Half-Hull Model
Daniel I. Tenney (1800-1881), a native of Newburyport, was a successful jeweler and generous benefactor to his beloved hometown. He is memorialized as a figurehead from his namesake ship, constructed in 1875 in Newburyport.