Manchester by the Sea Museum

Manchester by the Sea Museum The Museum also functions as a cultural center, hosting lectures, art shows, and family events centered on Cape Ann history.

The Manchester-by-the-Sea Museum is located at the 1823 Abigail Hooper Trask House, formerly the residence of the only unmarried woman in Massachusetts to build her own business and her own home! The on-site History Center includes our archives and collections, which help us interpret the town's past as well as Manchester-By-The-Sea's place in Massachusetts history. You can view our 2023 event sch

edule under Events, where you can meet local experts and fellow enthusiasts in fields like historic preservation and nautical, colonial, and Indigenous history! We're currently closed due to renovations, and will reopen in September. Our regular hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 - 3, and Sundays 1 - 4. We're located at 10 Union Street in Manchester-By-The-Sea, with nearby on-street parking and a public parking lot behind the 1809 Meetinghouse. For those reaching us by train, the Manchester Commuter Rail Station on the Newburyport/Rockport Line is located 2 1/2 blocks away. Our building is handicap-accessible from our main courtyard entrance on the right side of the building. Please call 978-526-7230 or email [email protected] with any questions regarding visits, event rentals, and group rates.

Save the date for our annual meeting on September 17, and enjoy our free September events. As part of Essex Heritage's ...
09/05/2026

Save the date for our annual meeting on September 17, and enjoy our free September events. As part of Essex Heritage's Trails and Sails, we are bringing you two children's workshops (Schooner Collage and the Cod Fishery), the Historic Town Tour guided experience, and "Treasures from the Deep."

Children's Art and History Workshop: Schooner Collage Saturday, September 12, 11 AM to 1 PM. Geared toward ages 5 to 12, learn about historical seafaring and design your own schooner in this art & crafts activity. Generously made available by the Hooper Fund. 15 participant limit, registration requi...

Today we introduce Ken King, a MBTS artist featured in our "Manchester, The Revolution, and The War" exhibit. Ken's mix...
08/28/2026

Today we introduce Ken King, a MBTS artist featured in our "Manchester, The Revolution, and The War" exhibit. Ken's mixed media entry, "Old North Burial Ground" honors Isaac and Jacob Allen, soldiers who fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill and are buried at the 1661 cemetery in Manchester-by-the-Sea. You can learn more about Ken King 🎨🖌 🪦

Today we are featuring local artist, Jacqueline Aas. Jacqueline was inspired, as a nurse, to create this still life of i...
08/28/2026

Today we are featuring local artist, Jacqueline Aas. Jacqueline was inspired, as a nurse, to create this still life of items that might have been found in Doctor Whipple's bag. Dr Whipple bravely fought the war at sea and his story is included in our "Manchester, The Revolution, and The War" exhibit. Her work has been showcased locally, including the Art Show on Conomo. 🩺🎨🖌

Introducing Cape Ann artist Gayle Macklem, one of the artists featured in our "Manchester, The Revolution, and The War" ...
08/26/2026

Introducing Cape Ann artist Gayle Macklem, one of the artists featured in our "Manchester, The Revolution, and The War" exhibit. She brings to life "The Ultimate Sacrifice of Doctor Joseph Whipple" with her watercolor portrayal of the doomed ship, Gloucester, and his apothecary chest lost at sea. You can find out more about Gayle at https://www.gaylemacklem.com/ 🩺🛟🎨🖌

Tomorrow! Free Children's Art & History Workshop: Sea Serpent
08/21/2026

Tomorrow! Free Children's Art & History Workshop: Sea Serpent

Children's Art and History Workshop: Sea Serpent, Saturday, August 22, 11 AM to 1 PM. Learn about the mystery of the Cape Ann sea serpent, and then create your own sea creature assemblage. Geared toward ages 5 to 12 and presented by artist Martha Chapman. Free. Manchester-by-the-Sea Museum, 10 Union...

Here's some news for you: we've got a free Children's Workshop this Saturday, and a new book on the Lee Family of Manche...
08/19/2026

Here's some news for you: we've got a free Children's Workshop this Saturday, and a new book on the Lee Family of Manchester (by genealogist Marston Watson) is now available

Children's Art and History Workshop: Sea Serpent, Saturday, August 22, 11 AM to 1 PM. Learn about the mystery of the Cape Ann sea serpent, and then create your own sea creature assemblage. Geared toward ages 5 to 12 and presented by artist Martha Chapman. Free. Manchester-by-the-Sea Museum, 10 Union...

08/17/2026

The public reading of The Declaration of Independence, Aug 16, 2026

Free events ahead! Declaration of Independence Reading Tomorrow, Sun. Aug. 16, and Sea Serpent Children's Workshop, Sat....
08/15/2026

Free events ahead! Declaration of Independence Reading Tomorrow, Sun. Aug. 16, and Sea Serpent Children's Workshop, Sat. Aug. 22

A Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence, Sunday, August 16, 11:30 AM. The historic occasion of Manchester's first reading of the Declaration will be re-created, preceded by the American Legion's parade with the Forster Flag from Masconomo Park and historical remarks by Museum director Ma...

Introducing Kathleen Chrzanowski, another artist featured in our "Manchester, The Revolution, and The War" exhibit. Her ...
08/14/2026

Introducing Kathleen Chrzanowski, another artist featured in our "Manchester, The Revolution, and The War" exhibit. Her acrylic abstract weaves together Manchester's place on the water with the historical Forster Flag. Kat is one of nine, Artists-in-Residence, who call Beach Street Studios & Gallery their artistic “home". Learn more about her at beachstreetstudiosandgallery.com 🎨🖌

Address

10 Union Street
Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA
01944

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 3pm
Thursday 10am - 3pm
Friday 10am - 3pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

(978) 526-7230

Website

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