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SOLD OUT: First Friday Lecture: JOURNAL of Doc Samuel Smith Surgeon of the Privateer DALTON on April 5th.

Stewards of Your History

From High Street to the shores of the Merrimack, the neighborhoods of Newburyport are steeped in maritime history, rich with stories of the people who helped build this city, explored these waters, and founded our nation. From its settlement to its rise as a maritime hub, and to its rebirth, the CHMM tells this story.

Our Exhibits

The CHMM has multiple galleries, each focused thematically on historical narratives unique to the Custom House and its collection.

Upcoming Events

Friday, April 5th - 6:30PM

SOLD OUT: JOURNAL of Doc Samuel Smith Surgeon of the Privateer DALTON

As Kevin MacDonald and volunteers work on reinstalling a new exhibition in the Marquand Gallery to focus on the first 50 years of Newburyport’s history – her Golden Age – curator Kevin MacDonald will detail his research on a small but, as it turns out, significant document in the CHMM collection.

The town’s evolutionary path – from British subjects, to American colonists, to United States citizens – defined its first 25 years, as many truly pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. One of those citizens was Samuel Smith, a newly minted physician from Harvard College who signed up to serve aboard the Newburyport privateer Dalton, in 1776.

Smith kept a rather brief journal, covering a period of about 7 months, which the museum is fortunate to have in its collection, and which provides a fascinating jumping-off point to discuss the turbulent times in which Smith was both an observer and an active participant in the War for Independence from Great Britain.

Prior to the presentation, Kevin will unveil the museum’s most recent acquisition: the Coffin Stream Assemblage. A collection of stone tools and projectile points covering a period of 4,000-6,000 years, these items were all found within a small area bordering Coffin Stream, near the intersection of Coffin Street and River Road in West Newbury.

Kevin MacDonald, a volunteer curator from 2010 to 2019, recently returned for an encore performance. He received his Master’s degree in Museum Studies from Harvard University Extension School in 2012.

Questions? Contact James Russell, Executive Director at 978-462-8681 or jrussell@thechmm.org.

Note: Event Sold Out

Sunday, April 28th - 5PM

Theater at the Museum: Tales from the Heart

Playwrights Collaborative presents the 3rd annual Tales from the Heart. It includes two programs of Short Plays. Hilarious Comedies and Compelling Dramas by Local Playwrights.

Questions? Contact James Russell, Executive Director at 978-462-8681 or jrussell@thechmm.org. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased below.

Sunday, May 5th - 5PM

Theater at the Museum: Tales from the Heart

Playwrights Collaborative presents the 3rd annual Tales from the Heart. It includes two programs of Short Plays. Hilarious Comedies and Compelling Dramas by Local Playwrights.

Questions? Contact James Russell, Executive Director at 978-462-8681 or jrussell@thechmm.org. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased below.