Children's Museums
Custom House Maritime Museum
📍 25 Water St, Newburyport, MA 01950🕐 Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 12–5 PM |
About Custom House Maritime Museum
Nautical exhibits in historic quarters. Ship models, artifacts & documents trace the area's history as a seaport in this 1835 building. The museum occupies a historic 1835 Custom House building that is not ADA compliant due to its historic structure, making it a preserved example of early 19th-century architecture but with accessibility limitations. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 150 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Natural History Museum
- Best For
- All ages; kids especially enjoy Discovery Center
- Highlights
- Nine galleries of maritime history (10,000 BCE-1975), Children's Discovery Center with STEM focus, ships' figureheads, Revolutionary War artifacts
- Admission
- $8 adults; free kids under 12 and members
- Note
- Historic building not ADA accessible; no elevator
💡 Did You Know?
- The museum occupies a historic 1835 Custom House building that is not ADA compliant due to its historic structure, making it a preserved example of early 19th-century architecture but with accessibility limitations
- Nine galleries span 10,000 BCE to 1975, with one exhibit titled 'First in the Nation: A Victory for Historic Preservation' dedicated to Newburyport's pioneering role in the historic preservation movement
- Children under 12 receive free admission to both the main museum galleries and the Children's Discovery Center, which features interactive STEM maritime learning including an operational lighthouse visitors can enter and operate
- The museum offers Revolutionary Summer Saturdays free programming from June 27-September 12 and hosts an annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence (July 19), emphasizing Newburyport's role in the American Revolution
- Special collections include ships' figureheads and maritime art, with a dedicated June First Friday Lecture on 'Guardians of the Sea: The Art and Legacy of Ships' Figureheads'
💬 What Visitors Say
- Visit during Revolutionary Summer Saturdays (June 27-September 12) for free outdoor programming with interactive activities like water tables, fishing ponds, and bounce houses—perfect for young children and included with museum admission
- Bring children under 12 for free admission to both the main galleries and the Children's Discovery Center; the basement Discovery Center features hands-on maritime experiences like operating a lighthouse, trying on pirate gear, and imaginative play stations
- Plan to spend time navigating three floors of exhibits connected by stairs with no elevator; allow 2-3 hours minimum, arrive early for first-come, first-served docent-led tours, and note that the building's historic structure means it's not wheelchair accessible
- Self-guided exploration is highly rewarding for this museum—visitors praise wandering through the nine galleries at their own pace to fully absorb ship figureheads, maritime artifacts, and the museum's extensive art collections without time pressure from tours
- Museum members can request after-hours private accommodations for children; combine your visit with the Summer Concert Series (July-September Sundays) or Music on the Mall (July-August Thursdays) for extended entertainment on the grounds
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