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. and by appointment on Thursday and Friday afternoons. The Museum is closed to the public during the month of February.

More than 4,000 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 following are samples of the Museum's documentary holdings: Letter from Point Leve, Quebec, 1759,  First Parish Book of the Unitarian Universalist Church (1777), Lufkin Account Book(1775-1835), Bill to Town of Gloucester from Nathaniel Haskell, Jr. (1776), and 1820 Seaman's Indenture. The library also houses a photographic collection consisting of more than 20,000 prints, negatives, lantern slide and glass plate negatives.

The library hosts rotating exhibitions throughout the year. On view now through January 29, 2012, during library hours:  PAPER DOLLS
 
 A paper doll is usually a two dimensional figure drawn or printed on paper which is accompanied by similarly produced, interchangeable, clothing.  The first European paper dolls were made in France in the mid-18th century as jumping-jack puppets to entertain adults.  In England the best were made by Raphael Tuck & Sons beginning in 1866.  The first paper dolls produced in America were made by J. Belcher in Boston in 1812.

The dolls, and their clothes, in the Cape Ann Museum collection are from the late 19th and early 20th centuries and include adult female, male, and child figures.  Among them are two series of Raphael Tuck’s dolls: the Fairy Tale Series, that belonged to Ruth Woodbury’s mother, Helen (Keach) Perkins in the late 1800s; and Lordy Lionel, which was a Valentines present to Susan Story Wonson from her aunt Alice in 1895.
 

 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.