The Research Center

Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling, a classic tale that begins in Gloucester

The Cape Ann Museum maintains an extensive library and archives for use by the public. The books, primary source material and photographs all pertain to Cape Ann. The library and archives is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Museum is closed to the public during the month of February.

More than 2,500 titles are shelved in the library for use on the premises. The major subjects are fisheries, art, history, and genealogy. Published material that is fragile or valuable is housed in the archives.

Survey of Cape Ann (Gloucester) harbor, 1819

Other material collected in the archives includes vessel log books, early deeds, maps, letters and documentary artifacts. The collection of more than 20,000 images includes photographs, negatives and glass plate negatives.

The library also hosts rotating exhibitions throughout the year.  Currently on exhibit through September 27:

Sketchy Ladies...  Drawings by amateur female artists of the 1800s - from schoolbook exercises to autograph books, doodles to watercolors, schoolgirl figures to exquisite flowers.

Logbook Tales: Captures-Hurricanes-Collisions...Hidden among tedious reports of weather conditions are unexpected moments of excitement. Transcripts of those highlights, along with the logbooks themselves, will be on exhibit.

Scholars, writers, students and genealogists come to use the research facilities. In addition, the staff receives approximately 100 requests for information each month by mail and telephone.

Museum members are admitted free, while non-members pay regular Museum admission.

The public is encouraged to visit the Museum and library to conduct its own research but it is understood that this is not always possible.  In such circumstances the librarian/archivist will spend up to an hour searching the Museum's archives at no cost other than that for photocopies and mailing.  If further research is necessary, a pre-paid, non-refundable, fee of $20.00 per hour is required.  Please understand that results cannot be guaranteed, but every effort will be made to provide assistance.  All sources consulted, whether they give a positive or negative result, will be documented and up to 20 photocopied pages are included in the per hour fee.  Research requests may be made in writing, either by conventional mail, email (see below), fax (978) 283-4141 or telephone (978) 283-0455.  All requests must include a contact telephone number and address.  For more information, please contact Librarian/Archivist Stephanie Buck at (978) 283-0455 or stephaniebuck@capeannmuseum.org