Ipswich Museum

10/01/2026

Happy October! Check out what's happening at the museum.

October 5 @ 12 PM - Brown Bag Talk: Ipswich Lives from the Archives

Heidi Horner, archivist at the Ipswich Public Library, will introduce us to special items from the Ipswich Public Library’s archival collections focused on local history. She plans to present a mix of stories, letters, and objects related to people from Ipswich history that she has learned about through her work. Some, like Mary Conley and Ed Emberly, will likely be familiar to the audience, and some will be less-known.

October 21 @ 7:30 PM - Wednesday Evening Lecture: The Twin Revolutions of 1776

Join David Scudder, chair of the Ipswich Museum finance committee, in a reflection on the lasting impact of the Twin Revolutions of 1776. The American Revolution of 1776 heralded a revolution in governmental thinking. During March of that same year, Adam Smith published his second book, “The Wealth of Nations”, where he put forth a theory of commerce that promised not only rapid economic growth but a very fair sharing of that growth - starting a revolution in economic thought. Over the course of 250 years, the ideals and goals of these separate revolutions have been tested and not always fully realized. The impact of the Twin 1776 Revolutions continue to influence and determine the way of life in the United States today.

October 31 - Last Day of Guided House Tours for the 2026 Season!

The museum will be open from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, with the last tour starting at 3:00 PM. Happy Halloween!

09/23/2026

Exciting things are happening at the Ipswich Museum!

For more than a century, the Ipswich Museum has preserved the stories, architecture and artistry of the community, inviting visitors to explore the town’s history. Now, the museum is looking to the future with a $1 million capital campaign to restore and transform its historic Carriage Barn into a...

09/01/2026

Happy September! Check out events happening at the Ipswich Museum this month.

September 12 - Trails & Sails 2026: The Port of Ipswich

Join Ipswich’s Scott Jewell for a fascinating in-depth walking tour of the Old Ipswich Port. Discover its history as a hub of maritime trade and commerce, and how its fate was tied to the rise and fall of Ipswich’s 18th century economy, and the fortunes/misfortunes of many of its residents.

September 14 - Brown Bag Talk: Remembering September 11th

Join Stephanie Gaskins, Dow Curator as she takes us down memory lane to encourage a conversation on where you were on that very sad day and what memories do you recall of that time period. This is an interactive discussion.

September 23 - Wednesday Evening Lecture: Edo Period Block Prints, Snapshots and a Mysterious Table.

Join Stephen Miles as we follow Arthur Wesley Dow’s journey from Ipswich, MA to the Ecole Julien in Paris, the artist community at Pont-Aven, Brittany, working as assistant to Fenellosa at the MFA Boston and subsequent tour of Japan in 1903 with findings represented in the collection of the Ipswich Museum.

08/28/2026

Trails & Sails 2026 – The Port of Ipswich

September 12 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Join Ipswich’s Scott Jewell for a fascinating in-depth walking tour of the Old Ipswich Port. Discover its history as a hub of maritime trade and commerce, and how its fate was tied to the rise and fall of Ipswich’s 18th century economy, and the fortunes/misfortunes of many of its residents.

Be sure to wear comfortable “walking” shoes, and bring appropriate weather gear such as bug spray and a hat. This is an outdoor walking tour.

The tour leaves the Heard House Museum at 1:00PM sharp. It will last approx. 2 hours.

Parking is available at The Heard House Museum, and in the public parking lot next door.

Free Admission.

This event is a part of Essex National Heritage Area's Trails & Sails program. Celebrating its 25th year in 2026, Trails & Sails is your ticket to discovering extraordinary places in your own backyard. Be guided through unique experiences on land and sea, explore historic properties, and take part in all kinds of cultural activities. Check out more events happening at https://trailsandsails.org/.

08/01/2026

Happy August!

Check out the upcoming events at the Ipswich Museum.

We hope to see you here!

07/31/2026

Join us for a Wednesday Evening Lecture: Ipswich Mills Revisited on August 19th form 7:30-9:00 PM.

Seamus Kelley will take us through a comprehensive history of the Ipswich Mill Strike of 1913, with a particular focus on immigration.

Free for members. $10 for non-members.

Hope to see you there!

07/30/2026

Come be a history explorer at the Ipswich Museum! We’ll learn about 17th century life and activities. The day will feature butter churning, colonial era games and a visit to the Whipple House.

Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Time: 10:30 – 12:00 PM

Cost: $15 Members / $20 Non-members - Reservations Required

Great for ages 8-12.

07/23/2026

Explore the incredible variety of plant life in a pollinator meadow and the important ecosystem it supports. We’ll learn about the importance of native plants, how wildflowers support bees and butterflies, and simple ways to help local ecosystems thrive. We’ll also be getting our hands a little dirty creating wildflower seed balls to take home.

Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Time: 10:30 – 12:00 PM

Cost: $15 Members / $20 Non-members - Reservations Required

Great for ages 8-12.

07/16/2026

Join us for our Fairy Houses and Sprite Cabins workshop this summer!

In this workshop we will build houses for sprites and fairies in the meadow at the Ipswich Museum. Using primarily materials found in nature such as moss, sticks, stones, and other items foraged from the meadow, participants will create magical environments suitable for tiny fairy tale creatures!

Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Time: 10:30 – 12:00 PM

Cost: $15 Members / $20 Non-members

Tickets are available on our website.

Great for ages 8-12.

07/09/2026

Come explore the exciting medium of Cyanotype- a photographic printing formulation sensitive to UVA rays that produces stunning images in deep blue hues. We’ll produce a series of photogram images using pre-treated paper and found objects in nature. Everyone will create their own art to bring home!

Great for ages 8-12.

All materials will be provided.

Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Time: 10:30 – 12:00 PM

Cost: $15 Members / $20 Non-members

Tickets are available on our website - reservations required.