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.
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.
* Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Our Mission
To celebrate and serve the community by:
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Fostering an appreciation of the quality and diversity of life — past and present — in Manchester-by-the-Sea.
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Collecting and preserving archival materials, art, and artifacts of significance to the Town.
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Engaging community interest and involvement through the collections and programming.
In every aspect, the Museum aspires to the highest standards, and seeks to engage the broadest audience.
Staff
Matthew Swindell, Associate Director — Director@MBTSmuseum.org ∙ 978-526-7230
Kady McGann, Museum Staff Assistant — KadyM@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
J. F. Curtis Hollingsworth
David Lumsden
Catherine Steinhoff