# Exhibit: "Unfolding Histories: Cape Ann Before 1900" #### calendar\_today Date and Time **March 31 - September 9, 2018** All day #### pin\_drop Location **Cape Ann Museum, 27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester MA** **Unfolding Histories: Cape Ann Before 1900** **A special exhibition opening this spring at the Cape Ann Museum** **On view March 31, 2018 – Sept. 9, 2018** GLOUCESTER, MASS. (February 2018) *–* In the first major exhibition to bring together historical and archival material from nine Cape Ann institutions, *Unfolding Histories: Cape Ann Before 1900* illuminates the area’s wide-ranging stories from Native American life to the first European settlers in the 1640s, the temperance movement, African American history and civil rights, women’s history, the advent of railroad and mass transportation as well as work, literary, and cultural life during Cape Ann’s early years. As the region prepares for the 400th anniversary of the first English settlement on Cape Ann in 2023, the Cape Ann Museum seeks to highlight significant historical materials from its own collection as well as those from historical societies in the region for this exhibition. Lenders to *Unfolding Histories* include: Annisquam Historical Society, Cape Ann Museum, Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum, Essex Town Hall, Gloucester’s City Hall, Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Library, Manchester Historical Museum, Sargent House Museum, and Sandy Bay Historical Society and Museums. Organized thematically, *Unfolding Histories* lets the documents tell the history of Cape Ann including some often neglected experiences and perspectives. The exhibition is designed to appeal to both scholars, looking to deepen their understanding of life for the disenfranchised in colonial America and the early Republic, as well as for local residents looking to appreciate the many factors that have shaped the place. Archival records depict the political and social structures of the nation before its founding up to 1900 and offer informative, enriching windows into the region that became a haven for some of America’s most renowned artists and writers. “From the start, exhibition planners realized that getting everyday people excited about fragile scraps of paper and hard-to-read penmanship would be no easy task,” says Martha Oaks, Cape Ann Museum’s Curator. “As such, it was decided early on that the exhibition would be organized around broad themes that tell untold stories, uncover hidden histories, and highlight experiences of everyday people on Cape Ann. Ten themes were selected: African American history, charity and welfare, education, Native American history, literary imagination, religion, temperance, transportation, wartime, and women’s history.” Guest curator for *Unfolding Histories* is Dr. Molly O’Hagan Hardy, Director for Digital and Book History Initiatives at the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester. A full color catalog, written by Dr. Hardy, will accompany the exhibition. For more information about the exhibition and related programming, please visit the Museum’s website [www.capeannmuseum.org](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.capeannmuseum.org&d=DwMF-g&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=HKPxmUdnYUKWMx8pouzTcDfH7LlrI74AKC20L52AMiE&m=xJfAZwXcRRs5s7jTyomFUf0nomF6HIesA7x_oUk8IjE&s=Ay7LIh_iSzl-_O_5382rlDBUtUp9cdL84c8FVjho4kU&e=). Sort [Cape Ann Museum: An American Art Museum just north of Boston, MA](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.capeannmuseum.org_&d=DwMF-g&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=HKPxmUdnYUKWMx8pouzTcDfH7LlrI74AKC20L52AMiE&m=xJfAZwXcRRs5s7jTyomFUf0nomF6HIesA7x_oUk8IjE&s=29zQ6o0qWW6vwPo_cXdzDq8c525LiHECeXg0UFgHylA&e=) [www.capeannmuseum.org](http://www.capeannmuseum.org) An outstanding American Art Museum just north of Boston, MA, the Cape Ann Museum showcases the art and cultural history of maritime New England. *The Cape Ann Museum has been in existence since the 1870s, working to preserve and celebrate the history and culture of the area and to keep it relevant to today’s audiences. Spanning 44,000 square feet, the Museum is one of the major cultural institutions on Boston’s North Shore welcoming more than 25,000 local, national and international visitors each year to its exhibitions and programs. In addition to fine art, the Museum’s collections include decorative art, textiles, artifacts from the maritime and granite industries, two historic homes and a sculpture park in the heart of downtown Gloucester. Visit* [*capeannmuseum.org*](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.capeannmuseum.org&d=DwMF-g&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=HKPxmUdnYUKWMx8pouzTcDfH7LlrI74AKC20L52AMiE&m=xJfAZwXcRRs5s7jTyomFUf0nomF6HIesA7x_oUk8IjE&s=Ay7LIh_iSzl-_O_5382rlDBUtUp9cdL84c8FVjho4kU&e=) *for details.* *The Museum is located at 27 Pleasant Street in Gloucester. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $12.00 adults, $10.00 Cape Ann residents, seniors and students. Youth (under 18) and Museum members are free. For more information please call: (978)283-0455 x10. Additional information can be found online at* [*www.capeannmuseum.org*](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.capeannmuseum.org&d=DwMF-g&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=HKPxmUdnYUKWMx8pouzTcDfH7LlrI74AKC20L52AMiE&m=xJfAZwXcRRs5s7jTyomFUf0nomF6HIesA7x_oUk8IjE&s=Ay7LIh_iSzl-_O_5382rlDBUtUp9cdL84c8FVjho4kU&e=)*.* *For a detailed media fact sheet please visit* [*www.capeannmuseum.org/press*](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.capeannmuseum.org_press&d=DwMF-g&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=HKPxmUdnYUKWMx8pouzTcDfH7LlrI74AKC20L52AMiE&m=xJfAZwXcRRs5s7jTyomFUf0nomF6HIesA7x_oUk8IjE&s=jQwbsPDdpiugJCYnhqjezzP8o3dNpBIOTXayZrIal14&e=)*.* MEDIA CONTACTS: Diana Brown McCloy Teak Media Meredith Anderson (978) 283-0455 x15 See also:- [ Exhibit ](/event-categories/exhibit) Share on:- [ Facebook ](#) - [ Twitter ](#) - [ Linkedin ](#) Save: [ Add to calendar calendar\_today ](https://bookhistory.harvard.edu/node/1302479/event-feed.ics) Copy link link