Grandma's Attic Holiday Sale
2025-12-06 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Ipswich Museum, 54 South Main Street, Ipswich, MA, 01938, United States

Objects of Interest
2026-01-05 12:00 - 13:00
Join curator, Katherine Chaison as she selects items and objects from our vast collection to share with our members. It is always fun to see rare items that are not in public view.

The History of Ipswich Education
2026-01-21 19:30
Scott Jewel, board member and teacher will talk about Ipswich’s rich history and at the heart of that story is education. From the earliest colonial days, learning has always been a cornerstone of this community. Today, we will explore how education in Ipswich has grown and transformed over the centuries, and we’ll take a look ahead at where it might be headed in the future. I invite you to join me on this journey through the evolution of education in Ipswich.

Ipswich Lace
2026-02-02 12:00 - 13:00
Come hear Susan Landry, textile specialist as she talks about the history of Ipswich Lace and show objects from our collection used to make the lace. Included in this talk will be lace patterns, pricklings, and Ipswich lace samples made over the years. There will be some modern lace making tools on view as well as a short demonstration.

February Vacation Art Workshop Lunar New Year
2026-02-17 10:30 - 12:00
Join us at the Ipswich Museum for a vacation-week exploration of the Lunar New Year. We’ll read a festive story, learn about the traditions of the Year of the Horse, and create themed art projects to celebrate.
Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Time: 10:30-12:00 PM
Ages: 6-10
Cost: $25
Location: Whipple House Classroom

Ships and Shipwrecks of Ipswich Bay
2026-02-18 19:30 - 21:00
Join town historian, Gordon Harris, who will talk about the long history of tragic shipwrecks due to dangerous storms and limited navigation. There were over 3,000 shipwrecks off the Massachusetts coast. In the early 20th century coal schooners sailed up the river to town wharf, and sand schooners became stranded on the beaches, but Ipswich was a favorite destination for Bostonians, who left their cars at the wharf for pleasure cruises to Little Neck, Grape Island, and Plum Island.

February Vacation Art Workshop “Who’s Who?” Exhibition
2026-02-19 10:30 - 12:00
Come investigate our new portrait exhibition, “Who’s Who?” at the Ipswich Museum. We’ll learn about some of the past citizens of our town and look at some of the elements of portraiture. Then, we’ll sketch our own portraits.
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Time: 10:30-12:00 PM
Ages: 6-10
Cost: $25
Location: Appleton Room, Heard House

The Archives of Arthur Wesley Dow: Sketchbook Tour
2026-02-28 10:00 - 14:00
Join Ipswich Museum’s Dow Curator, Stephanie Gaskins, for an intimate look at the archives of artist Arthur Wesley Dow. Participants will have the rare opportunity to get close with Dow’s sketchbooks and drawings from the collection of the Ipswich Museum, as well as to explore and discuss his educational philosophy and methodology.
Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Time: 10:00 – 12:00 PM
Cost: $50 Members / $55 Non-members
Age: Adults
Group size: Maximum 6 people

The Early Voyages of Augustine Heard
2026-03-02 12:00 - 13:00
Join Robert Gray, Heard descendant as he talks about his recent research on his family.
During the late 1830s Augustine Heard of Ipswich composed a list of his early voyages during 1805-1830, from ship “Eliza” to Leghorn from Eben Francis through barque “Lintin to Canton with Bennet Forbes. This talk provides an illustrated embellishment of Heard’s list and the ships, people, and places involved—including the most famous of the voyages popularized in books by Robert Bennet Forbes, Thomas Franklin Waters, and Samuel Eliot Morison. Several contradictions and inconsistencies among the stories are resolved and reconciled with historical documents.

Stop and Smell the Thyme at the Whipple House 17th Century Housewife's Garden
2026-03-18 19:30 - 21:00
Joe Carlin, Food historian, will review the contributions of landscape architects Arthur and Sidney Shurcliff who designed in 1955 the original Whipple House Garden. In the 1960s Isadore Smith (pseudonym Ann Leighton), author of Early American Gardens, provided leadership to make the garden historically accurate with authentic medicinal and culinary herbs known to have been grown and used in the area. Joe will show how 17th Century women preserved their medicinal solutions for all types of ills in manuscript cookbooks.

“Who’s Who? An Ipswich History in Portraits”
2026-04-04 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-11 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-12 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-18 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-19 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-25 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-26 13:00 - 16:00
Visit our Spring Exhibit “Who’s Who? An Ipswich History in Portraits.” Join the fun as we match the history behind each work of art with its corresponding portrait! This exhibit runs through April on Saturdays and Sundays 1-4PM.

Closed
2026-04-05 13:00 - 16:00
Our spring exhibition “Who’s Who? An Ipswich History in Portraits” is closed today.
Please join us other weekend days in Aprils as we match the history behind each work of art with its corresponding portrait! This exhibit runs through April on Saturdays and Sundays 1-4PM.

Women in Ipswich History
2026-04-06 12:00 - 13:00
Gordon Harris, town historian will share stories of women in Ipswich from the first settlement to the present century. Learn about Ann Dudley Bradstreet, the first published poet, Emma Jane Mitchell Safford, a descendant of Massasoit; Jenny Slew, the first enslaved person to successfully sue for freedom, Eunice Caldwell, who returned to her hometown in 1844 to run the Ipswich Female Seminary and many others.

The Life and Work of Arthur Wesley Dow Sunday Stroll
2026-04-19 14:00 - 15:00
Join Ipswich Museum’s Dow Curator, Stephanie Gaskins, for a tour of some locations in town related to Dow’s career as one of Ipswich’s most prolific and celebrated painters of the 20th century.
When: Sunday April 19, 2026 2-3PM
Where: The tour will depart from the Ipswich Museum parking lot at 2PM and will last 45-60 minutes.
Cost: $10 Members / $15 Non-members
Tours take place rain or shine, please dress accordingly. In the event of extreme weather, they will be cancelled and tickets refunded.

Swamp Yankee Adventures Chronicle of a Journalist in Low Orbit Around the World
2026-04-22 19:30 - 21:00
Join Crocker Snow Jr., journalist, author, as he takes you on a personal journey where he chronicles his life both nationally, internationally and locally. His focus has been on international affairs for public radio, TV and for the Boston Globe, World Times, The World Paper, was editor in chief of World Times and the World Paper and as director of the Murrow Center of public Diplomacy at the Fletcher School. He has been engaged as a citizen of the world concerned with world issues all of his life time.

Ipswich in the Revolution Sunday Stroll
2026-04-26 14:00 - 15:00
Who knew that Ipswich was in the epicenter of the American Revolution? Join Scott Jewell on a walk around town and learn about what happened here 250 years ago.
When: Sunday April 26, 2026 2-3PM
Where: The tour will depart from the Ipswich Museum parking lot at 2PM and will last 45-60 minutes.
Cost: $10 Members / $15 Non-members
Tours take place rain or shine, please dress accordingly. In the event of extreme weather, they will be cancelled and tickets refunded.

An Afternoon of Printmaking and Arthur Wesley Dow
2026-04-29 15:45 - 16:45
Join us for an immersive experience where students will discover the art of printmaking from scratch under the expert guidance of local artist Ashley Doke.
In this engaging printmaking class, younger artists will explore how to turn simple materials into creative works of art.
Using Styrofoam as their printing block, students will draw and press their designs to create unique prints, experimenting with both vibrant color and classic black and white.
Inspired by the landscapes of Arthur Wesley Dow, students will focus on simple shapes, contrast, and balanced compositions in their artwork.
By the end of the class, each artist will take home their original Styrofoam printing block, a collection of their prints, and the skills and confidence to continue printmaking at home
Suitable for ages 6-10
Price: $40 for Members, $50 for Non-Members
All necessary supplies will be provided.
Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Time: 3:45-4:45 PM
Location: Appleton Room, Heard House

An Evening of Printmaking and Arthur Wesley Dow
2026-04-29 17:30 - 20:00
Join us for an immersive experience where the work of Arthur Wesley Dow will be highlighted and you’ll discover the art of printmaking from scratch.
After an introduction to Dow’s art and legacy, you’ll embark on a journey into the world of lino printing under the expert guidance of local artist Ashley Doke.
You will learn the techniques of carving the speedy cut block, mastering the interplay of whites and blacks to create striking contrasts in your artwork. You will then discover the art of inking your block and printing designs onto paper, transforming a work of Dow’s into tangible prints.
Everyone will leave with their carved block, along with 3-5 unique prints of their creation. All necessary supplies will be provided, ensuring you will have everything you need to enjoy the process.
The doors will open at 5:30 PM for light refreshments and the opening introduction of Dow and following printmaking workshop will last from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.
Whether you’re a novice or seasoned creative, join us for an unforgettable evening of art, learning, and relaxation. Take home not just prints, but newfound skills and inspiration to continue your printmaking journey.
Price: $60 for Members, $75 for Non-Members
Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Time: Doors open @ 5:30 PM, Experience runs from 6:00-8:00PM.
Location: Appleton Room, Heard House

Eating Well, Living Well: Cook and Be Free
2026-05-04 12:00 - 13:00
Join Chef Sarah Naugler for ideas on how to eliminate kitchen nightmares and make cooking fun.
She is a graduate of the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and spent ten years working with prestigious Chefs of Boston and the North Shore. She eventually left that lifestyle and ventured into private cooking. Here her love of culinary arts began. She has instructed students of all ages on how to master the art of cooking with the goal of her students being able to turn the knowledge they gained into daily living. She will be covering subjects such as affordability, menu planning and development around different lifestyles and about kids and how to get them curious, excited and thinking about their next meal.

Closed for Memorial Day
2026-05-07
In observance of the holiday, the museum will be closed on Monday, May 25th.

The Women of Ipswich Sunday Stroll
2026-05-10 14:00 - 15:00
Celebrate Mother’s Day with the stories of how women have shaped the town. From the wrongfully enslaved Jenny Slew to the visionaries of the Ipswich Female Seminary, Stephanie Gaskins will guide you through Ipswich’s past from a new perspective. Mothers are free with a paying family member!
When: Sunday May 10, 2026 2-3PM
Where: The tour will depart from the Ipswich Museum parking lot at 2PM and will last 45-60 minutes.
Cost: $10 Members / $15 Non-members + Free for moms with a paying family member
Tours take place rain or shine, please dress accordingly. In the event of extreme weather, they will be cancelled and tickets refunded.

Stories and Stitches: Quilt History and Handiwork
2026-05-13 12:00 - 13:30
Join us for a special “show and tell” featuring the Ipswich Museum’s quilt collection. Curator Katherine Chaison will share a selection of quilts that are not on public view and talk about their backgrounds and history.
After getting a closer look at these historic quilts, participants will then have the opportunity to create a quilt inspired craft. Everyone will be able to design and assemble a quilt square patch to take home.
Come learn more about the importance and the history of quilting in Ipswich!
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 PM
Location: Appleton Room
Cost: $15 Members / $20 Non-members

Ipswich 101 Sunday Stroll
2026-05-17 14:00 - 15:00
Are you new to Ipswich or in the dark about this town’s long and rich history? This tour is designed as a crash course through Ipswich’s past. Join Scott Jewell for a walk through some of the highlights and lowlights that have shaped this great town over thousands of years.
When: Sunday May 17, 2026 2-3PM
Where: The tour will depart from the Ipswich Museum parking lot at 2PM and will last 45-60 minutes.
Cost: $10 Members / $15 Non-members
Tours take place rain or shine, please dress accordingly. In the event of extreme weather, they will be cancelled and tickets refunded.

Meet Abigail Adams, America's First Second Lady
2026-05-20 19:30 - 21:00
Since 2003, Sheryl Faye, actor has been presenting Historical Women to inspire adults and children about history. Her one man show will leave you spell-bound and inspired. Her performances are entertaining and educational, and they help the members of the audience to truly understand the profound positive impact these women have made in history. She has been here doing her presentations a number of times.
