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About Us

The Museum

Housed in the 1823 Abigail Hooper Trask House*, the Museum invites you to experience Manchester-by-the Sea's (MBTS) fascinating past through restored period rooms, paintings and sculptures by master artists, an impressive collection of MBTS-made furniture, and an outdoor Salt Cod Fish Yard. 

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This is the first house in Massachusetts to be built for a self-made, single woman. Abigail Hooper (1788-1885) was 35 years old and the town’s leading retailer when she had the house built in 1823.  In the 1830s, after marriage to a shipmaster (Captain Richard Trask), she doubled the size of the house and added a columned side porch and a handsome frontispiece (since removed). She lived here for 62 years.

 

We welcome you to explore the rich history and the captivating stories of Manchester-by-the-Sea's people and events.

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* Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Our Mission

To celebrate and serve the community by:

 

  • Fostering an appreciation of the quality and diversity of life — past and present — in Manchester-by-the-Sea.

 

  • Collecting and preserving archival materials, art, and artifacts of significance to the Town.

 

  • Engaging community interest and involvement through the collections and programming.

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In every aspect, the Museum aspires to the highest standards, and seeks to engage the broadest audience.

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Staff

Matthew Swindell, Associate Director — Matthews@MBTSmuseum.org ∙ 978-526-7230

Nancy Klebart, Administrative Support — Nancy@MBTSmuseum.org ∙ 978-526-7230

Archives — Archives@MBTSmuseum.org ∙ 978-526-7230

General Information —  info@MBTSmuseum.org ∙ 978-526-7230

Curatorial Team

Matthew Swindell, Chair

Carol Bundy

Rebecca Campbell

Matt Genta

Susana Thompson

Chris Virden

John Huss, Advisor

Museum Officers

President: Tom Durkin

Vice President: John Round

Clerk: Mary Minott

Treasurer: Amory Logan

Board of Trustees

Alison Anholt-White

Rus Brown

Carol Bundy

Marianne Coons

Linda Crosby

Matt Genta

David Lumsden​

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