Join the Cape Ann Museum docents for a series of creative and fast-paced twenty minute tours on a variety of themes of their choosing. Whether you have time for just one tour or get in on all of them, you’ll be exposed to information, art and characters not always available on the traditional “highlights” tour. This program is free for CAM members / $10 for non-members (includes Museum admission). Space is limited; first come, first served.
- 10:00 a.m. Wood You? Explore some of the wooden objects in the Museum’s collection—from everyday kitchen implements to magnificent pieces of furniture, a cigar store Indian and several sculptures by James McClellan (1910–2005).
- 10:30 a.m. Patriot’s Day Tribute From the American Revolution to the Civil War, the people of Cape Ann brought their courage, creativity and grit to the success of their young country in every major national conflict of this period. We’ll meet some of our local heroes and view historic artifacts as we explore how each contributed to the patriotic heritage of Cape Ann.
- 11:00 a.m. How Dear to Our Hearts Are the Scenes of Our Childhood A quick romp through the Museum to look at several works relating to children and childhood on Cape Ann—the children who worked and those who played and those who sat still for portraits.
- 11:30 a.m. Seeing the Light—Navigation & Lighthouses During the age of sail, navigation was iffy at best. Learn why landfalls could be the most dangerous part of a voyage, and why the Fresnel lighthouse lens was a true breakthrough.
- 12:00 p.m. Harvesting the Sea: Gloucestermen in the Heyday of Fishing Under Sail More than 1,000 schooners called Gloucester their home port, sailing to fishing grounds as far as 1,000 miles away in search of finny gold. Both ships and men were called “Gloucestermen”—the ships tall, fast, and beautiful; the men tough, brave, tireless, and justly proud of their work.
- 12:30 p.m. Fifteen Shades of Blue Experience the impact of blue—the color of sea and sky, symbolic of trust, loyalty and wisdom. This tour explores works of art in the Museum that make use of this favorite color.
