The Cape Ann Museum, located a block away from the waterfront in the heart of downtown Gloucester, has been in existence since the 1870s. The museum works to preserve and celebrate the history and culture of the area and to keep it relevant to today’s audiences. Spanning 44,000 square feet, the Museum is one of the major cultural institutions on Boston’s North Shore. They welcome more than 25,000 local, national and international visitors each year to its exhibitions and programs.

The Museum houses the single largest collection of work by maritime artist Fitz Henry Lane as well as work by other artists who were inspired by the area. Those artists include John Sloan, Milton Avery, Nell Blaine, Paul Manship and Katharine Lane Weems. The Museum also collects and exhibits the work of contemporary Cape Ann artists. In addition to fine art, the Museum’s collections encompass decorative art, textiles, artifacts from the maritime and granite industries, two historic homes and a sculpture park in the heart of downtown Gloucester.

Visit capeannmuseum.org for exhibit details, programming, safety protocols for social distancing, and advance reservations with timed tickets (required). Discover Cape Ann Museum’s virtual experiences. Click here to learn more.

In 2020, the Cape Ann Museum Green, opened featuring three historic properties, open green space, and a newly constructed state-of-the art Collections Center providing expanded collections storage as well as exhibition and community programming space. The Green site off Grant Circle and the Janet & William Ellery James Center is now closed for the season.