Calendar
Upcoming Events
MAY
May 31 - Opening Reception for Summer Exhibit "I Must Go Down to the Seas Again", 6-8pm: Curated by the Museum's Dow Curator Stephanie Gaskins,” I must go down to the seas again . . . ,” examines the complex and enduring relationship between Ipswich residents and the sea. Refreshments served.
JUNE
June 1 - 17th Century Saturday, 11am-3pm: Free tours of the 1677 Whipple House on this first 17th Century Saturday of the season! The authentic reproduction 1657 Knight House needs just the rear portion of its thatched roof, which will be installed in the spring/summer of 2013. Tours of the 1800 Heard House are $7 for non-members, free for members.
June 3 - Brown Bag lunch, noon: Michele Coughlin discusses her book Mehetabel’s Diary and the research behind it. Q&A afterwards. Free to Ipswich seniors.
June 19 - Wednesday Evening Lecture, 7:30 pm: Museum’s Dow Curator Stephanie Gaskins gives an overview of the Museum’s new summer exhibit, "I must go down to the seas again." Our Wednesday Evening Lecture series is generously sponsored by First Ipswich Bank. Cost is free for members and participants, $10 for non-members.
June 22 - Old Rose Sale, 8:30-11:30am: Historic Old Rose bushes, $25 each, from the Gardens at the Whipple House, 1 South Village Green, Ipswich MA. All proceeds benefit Ipswich Museum Gardens. For more information, call 978-356-8696.
June 29 - 1st Annual Heard Cup, 2-5pm: Ipswich Museum’s 1st Annual Heard Cup Homebrew Competition. The Heard Cup is sponsored by Turkey Shore Distilleries and Ipswich Ale Brewery and will be held on the grounds of the Ipswich Museum. Tickets are $35, children free. More info HERE.
JULY
July 1 - Brown Bag lunch, noon: Museum docent and college professor George Gray discusses the rewards and challenges of Teaching Chinese Students in the United States. Free to Ipswich seniors.
July 6 - 17th Century Saturday, 11am-3pm: Visit the 1677 Whipple House View the authentic reproduction 1657 Knight House, which needs just the rear portion of its thatched roof, (to be installed in the spring/summer of 2013). Tour of the Whipple House is $7.
July 17 - Wednesday Evening Lecture, 7:30 pm: Ipswich Middle School teacher and museum volunteer Scott Jewell discusses the 1913 mill strike in Ipswich. Our Wednesday Evening Lecture series is generously sponsored by First Ipswich Bank. Cost is free for members and participants, $10 for non-members.
AUGUST
August 5 - Brown Bag Lunch, noon:Curator Katherine Chaison discusses and displays seldom seen objects in collections for perennial favorite “Collection Gems.”
August 19 - Art in August Workshop, 3-5 pm: This workshop complements our summer exhibit, “I must go down to the seas again.” All ages – families welcome! Materials fee: members $5; non-members $6. Pre-registration recommended – please email educator@ipswichmuseum.org or call 978-356-2811.
August 21 - Wednesday Evening Lecture, 7:30 pm: Ipswich resident Jake Burridge presents “Pavilion Beach – Historically and Socially.” Our Wednesday Evening Lecture series is generously sponsored by First Ipswich Bank. Cost is free for members and participants, $10 for non-members.
Past Events
MAY
May 1 - Tour Guide Training, 5:30-7 pm: Heard House with Elaine Lucas, meet in the Appleton Room.
May 3 - Dorothy Monnelly Book Signing, 5-7 pm: Just in time for Mother's Day, meet the artist Dorothy Monnelly and purchase her new book For My Daughters. Monnelly writes that her "second book of large format black and white photography, published by Hudson Hill Press in March 2013, is inspired by the poetry of her mother and creates a dialog between poem and photo, mother and daughter, time and place." Monnelly's book is available for sale at the Museum's giftshop.
May 6 - Brown Bag Lunch, noon: Museum trustee, Marcia Gray, will show images and discuss her recent trip to Italy and Croatia.
May 8 - Tour Guide Training, 5:30-7 pm: Review of procedures for new and returning tour guides. Meet in the Appleton Room.
May 15 - Evening Lecture, 7:30 pm (LECTURE POSTPONED - STAY TUNED FOR RESCHEDULED DATE): The Trustees of Reservations’ N.E. Region Cultural Resources Specialist, Susan Hill Dolan, presents “Art in the Landscape: Three Major Sculptors at Castle Hill.” Our Wednesday Evening Lecture series is generously sponsored by First Ipswich Bank.Cost is free for members and participants, $10 for non-members.
May 18 - Tour Guide Training, 10-11:30 am: Meet at the Whipple House Garden
May 25 - Opening Day of seasonal guided tours, 10 am to 4 pm: The Museum will be open for tours from May 25 to October 13. Tours last approximately 30 minutes in each house. In the 1677 Whipple House, see how simply families lived in Ipswich during the 17th century. Conversely, in the 1800 Heard House, see other aspects of Ipswich history displayed through the Museum’s collections of Dow paintings, Chinese export porcelain, decorative furniture and objects, documents, and changing exhibits related to local history.Learn more, take a tour – and bring your friends!
APRIL
April 1 - Brown Bag Lunch, noon: Martha Mauser leads discussion on “Ipswich Reads One Book”, co-sponsored by the Ipswich Public Library. Free.
April 7 - Special Sundays, 2-4 pm: Visit the winter exhibit “Ipswich and the Civil War” featuring objects, histories and period music. First floor rooms open for viewing. First Sunday of month free to Ipswich residents. Scott Jewell, Ipswich Middle School teacher and editor of the book "Ipswich in the Civil War," will be on hand to talk about the exhibit and sign copies of his book at 3pm. $7/adults, $5/seniors and free for members and children.
April 14 - Special Sundays, 2-4pm: Final day of winter exhibit and first floor rooms open for viewing. $7/adults, $5/seniors and free for members and children.
April 17 - Wednesday Evening Lecture, 7:30 pm: Boston Duck Tour operator, Paul Valcour, presents “Boatbuilding in Ipswich: A History from WWII to Present.” Our Wednesday Evening Lecture series is generously sponsored by First Ipswich Bank.Cost is free for members and participants, $10 for non-members.
MARCH
March 3 - Special Sundays, 2-4 pm: Visit the winter exhibit “Ipswich and the Civil War” featuring objects, histories and period music. First floor rooms open for viewing. First Sunday of month free to Ipswich residents. Free to members and children, $7/non-members, $5/seniors.
March 4 - Brown Bag lunch, noon: Wendy Copithorne, owner of local family owned Ipswich Bay Soap Company, discusses the “History of Soapmaking.” Free to Ipswich seniors.
March 10 - Special Sundays, 2-4 pm: Winter exhibit and first floor rooms open for viewing. Scott Jewell, Ipswich Middle School teacher and editor of the book "Ipswich in the Civil War," will be on hand to talk about the exhibit and sign copies of his book at 3pm. $7/adults, $5/seniors and free for members and children.
March 17 - Special Sundays, 2-4 pm: Winter exhibit and first floor rooms open for viewing. $7/adults, $5/seniors and free for members and children.
March 24 - Special Sundays, 2-4 pm: Winter exhibit and first floor rooms open for viewing. $7/adults, $5/seniors and free for members and children.
March 20 - Wednesday Evening Lecture, 7:30 pm: Dow Curator, Stephanie Gaskins, presents Ipswich Neighborhood Walk lecture through downtown with shared recollections and known history. Co-sponsored by the friends of the Ipswich Public Library.
March 27 - Wednesday Evening Lecture, 7:30 pm: Stephen Kenney, Director of Commonwealth Museum, will present a PowerPoint lecture about its state of the art exhibit on Massachusetts history.
FEBRUARY
February 3 - Special Sundays, 2-4 pm: Visit the winter exhibit “Ipswich in the Civil War” featuring objects, histories and period music. First floor rooms open for viewing. First Sunday of month free to Ipswich residents. Free to members and children, $7/non-members and $5/seniors.
February 4 - Brown Bag lunch, noon: Museum’s Weekend Manager, Bob Purzycki, discusses “Ipswich and its Connections to President Lincoln” to complement the museum's winter exhibit.. Free to Ipswich seniors.
February 6 - Annual Meeting, Appleton Room, 7:30 pm: All members invited to attend. Coffee and tea follow. Snow date is February 13.
February 10 - Special Sundays, 2-4 pm: Winter exhibit, special activities and first floor rooms open for viewing. Scott Jewell, Ipswich Middle School teacher and editor of the book "Ipswich in the Civil War," will be on hand to talk about the exhibit and sign copies of his book at 3pm. $7/adults, $5/seniors and free for members and children.
February 17 - Special Sundays, 2-4 pm: Winter exhibit, special activities, and first floor rooms open for viewing. $7/adults, $5/seniors and free for members and children.
February 20 - Wednesday Evening Lecture, 7:30 pm: Author and reenactor, William Hallett, presents “Newburyport and the Civil War,” to complement the museum's winter exhibit.
February 24 - Special Sundays, 2-4 pm: Winter exhibit, special activities, and first floor rooms open for viewing. $7/adults, $5/seniors and free for members and children.
JANUARY
January 2: Museum office reopens.
January 7 - Brown Bag Lunch, noon: Museum member and volunteer George Gray will talk about "Earthquakes - Past & Present," including the history of earthquakes and recent local seismic activity.
January 10 - Volunteer Appreciation Party, 5-7 pm: Hosted by Ray and Margaret Morley at Ipswich Inn to thank our many volunteers for their hours of service to the Museum. This festive event features wine, beer, and appetizers.
January 16 - Wednesday Evening Lecture, 7:30 pm: Stephen Kenney, director of the Commonwealth Museum, will present a PowerPoint lecture about its state of the art exhibit on Massachusetts history. *Due to the weather, this evening's lecture with Stephen Kenney, director of the Commonwealth Museum, will be postponed to Wednesday March 27th at 7:30pm.*
DECEMBER
December 1 - Holiday Boutique, 10am-4pm: Annual fundraising event for Museum featuring sale of holiday greens, handmade gifts, Grandma’s Attic treasures, art, and Silent Auction. First floor rooms open for viewing, beautifully decorated by Town & Country Garden Club.
December 2 - Holiday Party and Silent Auction, 6 pm: For Members and Guests, featuring hearty appetizers, drinks and festive atmosphere in the first floor rooms. Cost is $40/members and $45/non-members. Advance registration encouraged.
December 3 - Store Open Hours. 4-7pm: Come shop the Im store this holiday season! Free gift tags with purchase.
December 6 - Store Open Hours. 4-7pm: Come shop the Im store this holiday season! Free gift tags with purchase.
December 6 - Town & Country Garden Club, 6:30 pm: Annual Holiday Party.
December 8 - Store Open Hours. 10am-2pm: Come shop the Im store this holiday season! Free gift tags with purchase.
December 10 - Store Open Hours. 4-7pm: Come shop the Im store this holiday season! Free gift tags with purchase.
December 12 - Store Open Hours. 4-7pm: Come shop the Im store this holiday season! Free gift tags with purchase.
December 15 - Store Open Hours. 10am-2pm: Come shop the Im store this holiday season! Free gift tags with purchase.
December 17 - Store Open Hours. 4-7pm: Come shop the Im store this holiday season! Free gift tags with purchase.
December 19 - Store Open Hours. 4-7pm: Come shop the Im store this holiday season! Free gift tags with purchase.
December 22 - Store Open Hours. 10am-2pm: Come shop the Im store this holiday season! Free gift tags with purchase.
December 23-January 1: Museum office closed. Happy Holidays!
NOVEMBER
November 5 - Brown Bag lunch, noon: Museum Curator, Katherine Chaison, highlights some of the Museum’s seldom seen objects in “Collection Gems”.
November 7 - Wednesday Evening Lecture, 7:30 pm: Museum’s Dow Curator, Stephanie Gaskins, presents her popular Ipswich Neighborhood Walk through the downtown area with shared recollections and known history. POSTPONED DUE TO FORECASTED NOR'EASTER. DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED.
November 10 - Fall Clean Up Day, 9 am-noon: Help us prepare the grounds for winter; refreshments for volunteers! Rain date is November 11, noon-3 pm. POSTPONED TO SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1-3 PM.
November 13 - Ipswich Garden Club lecture and meeting, 6:30 pm.
November 15 - Whipple House Open House, 5-7 pm: The house will be open and lit with candles as part of the town’s week-long celebration of “Ipswich is First Period.”
Special Note: Our annual Volunteer Appreciation Party will be held in January. See below.
OCTOBER
October 1 - Brown Bag Lunch, noon: Cogswell’s Grant Site Manager, Kristen Weiss, returns once again to present “Neat and Tidy: Boxes and their Contents Used in Early American Households.” Ipswich seniors free.
October 6 - 17th Century Saturdays, 11 am-3 pm: Visit the Whipple House for free demonstrations on life in the 17th Century. See completion work of the 1657 Alexander Knight House as the volunteer team finishes building this authentic reproduction using period tools and methods.
October 7 - Behind the Scenes Tour, 2-3 pm: Weekend Manager, Bob Purzycki, leads a special tour through the nooks and crannies not usually seen on tours. $10/pp; maximum 10 people. Pre-registration recommended.
October 10 - Lantern workshop, 3-5 pm: Make and decorate a (plastic) mason jar lantern to complement upcoming Ipswich Illumination event. For all ages. Members $5; non-members $6. Pre-registration recommended.
October 24 - Harvest Supper, 6:30 pm: Join us for the traditional harvest feast, featuring turkey and all the trimmings. Tickets $35/pp by advance reservation; $5 more at the door.
October 26 - Kids’ Halloween Party, 3:30-5 pm: Haunted house, scary stories, scarecrow building, crafts, snacks, costume parade. $5/per child.
SEPTEMBER
September 1 - 17th Century Saturdays, 11 am-3 pm: Visit the Whipple House for free demonstrations on life in the 17th Century. See completion work of the 1657 Alexander Knight House as the volunteer team finishes building this authentic reproduction using period tools and methods.
September 10 - Brown Bag lunch, noon: Salem State professor, writer and Ipswich resident, Chris Fauske, presents “Take Charge of your Writing” – a teacher’s guide to writing and being published. Questions and answers follow. Ipswich seniors free.
September 19 - Wednesday Evening Lecture, 7:30 pm: In “Ipswich and the Civil War, 1861-1864,” hear the stories not told in 150 years of the Ipswich men in the Civil War. Presented by Ipswich Middle School teacher, Scott Jewell, who subsequently turned his research into a book.
September 23 - Trails & Sails, 1:30-4:30 pm: The Museum participates in this special day of free walking tours. At 1:30 pm, Bob Purzycki leads a “Walking Tour of Historic Ipswich”, and at 3 pm, Stephanie Gaskins leads “Arthur Wesley Dow of Ipswich”.
September 26 - Baker Library Lecture, 7:30 pm: Co-sponsored with Friends of Ipswich Library, Melissa Banta, Exhibit Curator of Harvard Business School’s Baker Library, presents an overview of their summer exhibit, “A Chronicle of the China Trade: The Records of Augustine Heard &Co., 1840-1877”.
AUGUST (Please note there is no evening lecture in August for summer hiatus.)
August 4 - 17th Century Saturdays, 11 am-3 pm: Visit the Whipple House for free demonstrations on life in the 17th Century. See completion work of the 1657 Alexander Knight House as the volunteer team finishes building this authentic reproduction using period tools and methods.
August 6 - Brown Bag Lunch, noon: Robert Snow, Rowley Board of Selectman member and D-Day Historian, presents a lecture about his return trips to Normandy. Ipswich seniors free.
August 15 - By Hook or by Crook: Rug Hooking for Kids, 3-5 pm: Learn about the traditional art of rug hooking and try hooking your own sample. This program complements our summer exhibit. Ages 6 and up. Cost: Members $5; non-members $6. Pre-registration recommended.
August 22 - Lacecraft for Kids, 3-5 pm: Learn about the lace industry in Ipswich, view lace from the Museum’s collection and complete some lacy crafts. Complements summer exhibit. For all ages. Cost: Members $5; non-members $6. Pre-registration recommended.
JULY
July 2 - Brown Bag Lunch, noon: Museum member Harry Ashe will speak about his personal collection of China Trade ephemera and the Heard connection. Ipswich seniors free.
July 7 - 17th Century Saturdays, 11 am-3 pm: Visit the Whipple House for free demonstrations on life in the 17th Century. See completion work of the 1657 Alexander Knight House as the volunteer team finishes building this authentic reproduction using period tools.
July 18 - Wednesday Evening Lecture, 7:30 pm: Celebrate 25 years of antiques dealing with our host, Robert Cianfrocca, owner of Salt Marsh Antiques in Rowley, who gives a presentation and appraisal night. Bring one item per person for appraisal at $5/each.
July 28-29 - Olde Ipswich Days Arts and Crafts Sale, 10 am-4 pm: Ipswich Public Library holds its annual book sale on the Heard House lawn. Museum will be open at regular time for tours.
JUNE
June 2 - 17th Century Saturdays, 11 am-3 pm: Free tours of the Whipple House on this first 17th Century Saturday of the season! The authentic reproduction 1657 Knight House nears completion. Plimouth Plantation will assist during the summer to install the thatch roof. Heard House tours are $7 for non-members, free for members.
June 4 - Brown Bag lunch, noon: Kristen Weiss, Site Manager of Historic New England’s Cogswell Grant in Essex, gives an “Armchair Tour” featuring highlights from the collections and the history of the property. Free to Ipswich seniors.
June 8 - Opening Reception, 6-8 pm: Wine and Cheese reception for "Ipswich Women in the Arts, Mid-Seventeenth to Mid-Twentieth Centuries.” $10/non-members and $5/members.
June 13 - Family Painting Workshop, 3-5 pm: Museum Educator, Stacey Fraser-deHaan, hosts a family workshop complementing the summer exhibit, "Ipswich Women in the Arts, Mid-Seventeenth to Mid-Twentieth Centuries.” Participants will tour the Heard House and learn about its last resident, Alice “Elsie” Heard and her artwork. Then, workshop participants will attempt to copy works from the exhibit, just as Elsie and other female artists of the 19th and 20th century copied the works of famous painters. Members $5; non-members $6.
June 20 - Wednesday Evening Lecture, 7:30 pm: Dow Curator, Stephanie Gaskins, gives an overview of the Museum’s new summer exhibit, "Ipswich Women in the Arts, Mid-Seventeenth to Mid-Twentieth Centuries."
June 27 - Special Women’s Luncheon, noon: Celebration of “"Ipswich Women in the Arts, Mid-Seventeenth to Mid-Twentieth Centuries" exhibit, featuring award winning floral designer Constance McCausland interpreting art through flowers. Fundraiser, tickets are $50/pp.
