Closed On: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples/Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day.
For more than 150 years, the Cape Ann Museum has collected, preserved, and shared the art, history, and culture of Cape Ann. Today, we are pleased to welcome visitors back to our newly renovated Downtown Campus, where refreshed galleries, enhanced visitor spaces, and expanded access to our collections offer new opportunities for learning and discovery.
We are especially proud to reopen with Avery, Gottlieb & Rothko: By the Sea, a landmark exhibition exploring the artistic connections between three of the most influential American artists of the twentieth century and their time in Gloucester.
Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning as a longtime friend of the Museum, we hope your experience deepens your appreciation for the stories, creativity, and community that make Cape Ann such an extraordinary place.
Closed On: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples/Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day.
Timed-entry window tickets are required for members and non-members.
Does not include admission to Avery, Gottlieb & Rothko: By the Sea.
See Free and Discounted Admission for all the opportunities to visit the Museum for free or with discounted admission tickets.
The MBTA commuter rail connects Cape Ann directly with the greater Boston area and beyond. From Boston’s North Station, take the Newburyport/Rockport line to the Gloucester stop. The Cape Ann Museum is about a 10-15 minute walk from the rail stop.
You can also reach the Museum using Cape Ann Transportation Authority (CATA). For direct drop off information, visit CATA On Demand.
The Museum’s downtown campus is located at 27 Pleasant Street in the heart of downtown Gloucester. The Museum does not have parking on site but there is kiosk parking at the public lot across from the Museum or on streets as marked. The kiosks around the Museum have a 2 hour limit but there is extended parking available on Rogers Street and St. Peter’s Square.
Please download the Flowbird Parking App or use change for easiest options.
Please do not park in the lot on Elm Street as that is a private lot and you may be towed.
Handicap Parking
There is one handicap marked spot directly in front of the Museum and another in the lot directly across the street. The spots are available on a first come, first served basis. In Massachusetts, those with a handicap placard or license plate can park at meters without paying fees.
Bus Parking
Visitors are able to disembark tour buses at the Museum Entrance. We ask that the bus does not block the crosswalk. Buses must move to another location after drop-off. There is some parking available on Rogers Street.
The Museum is committed to accessibility for all visitors. For additional information regarding accessibility, please contact us at [email protected] or call 978-283-0455 x110.
Parking
There is one handicap marked spot directly in front of the Museum and another in the lot directly across the street. The spots are available on a first come, first served basis. In Massachusetts, those with a handicap placard or license plate can park at meters without paying fees.
Entrances
The Downtown Campus has one main entrance off of Pleasant Street. There is a wheelchair accessible ramp leading up to the main door, which is equipped with an automatic door opener.
Wheelchairs and Walkers
Two manual wheelchairs, one walker with wheels, and an umbrella stroller are available free of charge on a first come, first served basis. Please return them after your visit.
The Cape Ann Museum also welcomes your personal mobility device, including single strollers. The Downtown Campus is completely accessible for all mobility devices with the exception of our historical property, the Captain Elias Davis House. Due to the historical nature of the house, the door frames are not wide enough to accommodate most mobility devices.
An elevator and lifts are available for access between levels.
Service Dogs
The Museum warmly welcomes service dogs. Please note, emotional support animals and comfort animals are not permitted.
Restrooms
All Museum restrooms have wheelchair-accessible stalls. There is one unisex restroom located at the Museum entrance and men’s and women’s restrooms located on Level 1 of the Museum. Both restrooms on Level 1 have changing tables.
Gallery Seating
Most of the galleries in the Museum have permanent benches or chairs. Free light-weight, portable gallery stools are provided on a first come, first served basis. Please return them at the end of your visit.
Bag Policy
All bags are subject to inspection by Museum staff. Backpacks, large bags, and outside food or drink are not permitted. Please notify Visitor Services if exceptions are required for medical or religious needs. All bags 12″ x 12″ x 6″ or larger may not be brought into the galleries. You may use our free lockers to store your bag while visiting.
Umbrellas are not permitted in the Museum and should be left in our coat closet.
Assisted Listening Devices
If an assistive listening device is needed, please contact Visitor Services ahead of time to reserve. Email us at [email protected] or call 978-283-0455 x110. An assistive listening system for up to 10 people is available at the Visitor Services Desk for use on highlights tours, walking tours, and programs in our auditorium. Headphones are provided.
Due to varying levels of preservation and presentation of artwork and artifacts, lighting levels may differ among the galleries. Please contact us at [email protected] or 978-283-0455 x110 if you have questions about specific spaces in the Museum.
Bag Policy
Bags smaller than 12″ x 12″ x 6″ may be carried as a handbag or worn on the front side of the body. Bags in excess of 12″ x 12″ x 6″ must be stored. Exceptions are made for medical or religious needs. Free lockers are available for use in our coatroom on a first come, first served basis. Please note that all bags are subject to inspection by Museum staff.
Baby backpack carriers are not permitted but the museum does have umbrella strollers available for use. Baby Strollers are welcome.
Umbrellas are not permitted in the Museum and should be left in our coatroom.
Animal Policy
Pets are not permitted in the museum. Service dogs are welcome. Emotional Support Animals or Comfort Animals are often used as part of a medical treatment plan as therapy animals and are not considered service animals under the ADA.
Food and Drink
Food and drink are not allowed in the galleries. Please notify Visitor Services if exceptions are required for medical needs.
Smoking
Smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere on the Museum premises.
In the Galleries
Pencils and sketchbooks are allowed to be used in the galleries.
Temperatures are carefully monitored in the Museum, please be prepared for cool spaces.
Coatroom and Lockers
A self-serve coatroom and free lockers are available to visitors.
Mobility Devices and Gallery Seating
Wheelchairs, walkers, umbrella strollers, and gallery stools are available for visitor use on a first come, first served basis. Visit Accessibility for more information on the accessibility services that can be found at the Museum.
Lost and Found
Lost & Found is located at the Front Desk. We will make every attempt to contact the owner if identification can be found on the item. We will not hold unclaimed items beyond two weeks. For inquiries, please call 978-283-0455 x110.
Cell Phones
We ask all visitors to put cell phones on vibrate and refrain from talking on the phone in the galleries. If listening to an audio file or video, please use earbuds or headphones.
Photography
Unless otherwise noted, non-flash photography is permitted for private, non-commercial use.
Selfie sticks are not permitted in the galleries.
Photographs taken in the Museum cannot be published, sold, reproduced, transferred, distributed, or used for other commercial purposes without Museum permission.
Media Permissions
Use of tripods, video cameras, and other film equipment requires prior approval. Please email Sheila Hruby for permission.
Explore some of the most common queries from visitors planning trips to the Cape Ann Museum! If you have any other questions, please contact us at [email protected] or 978-283-0455 x110.
What is the Cape Ann Museum and why is it important?
Founded in 1875, the Cape Ann Museum has grown from a nineteenth-century scientific and literary association into a vibrant, inclusive cultural institution dedicated to art, history, and community. Rooted in a place shaped over millennia by Indigenous peoples and later by fishing, shipping, granite, and artistic traditions, the Museum preserves and interprets the rich heritage of Cape Ann through nationally significant collections, including the country’s premier holdings of works by Gloucester native Fitz Henry Lane. Through decades of thoughtful expansion—historic buildings, modern galleries, archives, and new sustainable facilities across two campuses—the Museum has continually broadened its reach while remaining deeply connected to its community. Today, the Cape Ann Museum welcomes visitors of all backgrounds, offering exhibitions, programs, and spaces that reflect the enduring creativity, labor, and stories of Cape Ann and its people.
To learn more, please visit About CAM and History of the Museum.
What are in the galleries?
When you visit the Museum, you will be able to enjoy the history, culture, and art of Cape Ann. The galleries encompass the Fitz Henry Lane Gallery, Cape Ann Gallery, Folly Cove Designers Gallery, Granite Gallery, Fisheries Galleries, Special Exhibition Galleries as well as a new Archival Gallery. These facilities are complimented by an auditorium, Education Studio, Research Library and Archives, and Museum Gift Store. We look forward to sharing this wonderful Museum with you!
How can I purchase tickets? Online or at the door?
GENERAL ADMISSION:
For a short time period we will be having timed-entry window tickets to the General Museum to help with the overall enjoyment and prevent overcrowding. During this period, we recommend pre-purchasing your ticket online to guarantee entry. Walk-ins are permitted based on availability but cannot be guaranteed entry without a pre-purchased ticket. To purchase General Admission tickets, click Buy Tickets.
SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS:
To guarantee admission to a Special Exhibition that requires timed-entry window tickets, we highly recommend pre-purchasing a ticket online. To purchase tickets to the special exhibition Avery, Gottlieb & Rothko: By the Sea, click Buy Tickets.
OTHER PURCHASE OPTIONS:
If you have difficulties purchasing online, please contact Visitor Service at 978-283-0455 x110 or email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to help.
Does the Museum offer any admission discounts?
See Free and Discounted Admission for all the opportunities to visit the Museum at a discounted rate.
May I refund or exchange tickets if my plans change?
GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS:
We are happy to refund general admission tickets. They cannot be refunded post ticket date.
SPECIAL EXHIBITION TICKETS:
If you would like to request a refund, you must notify the Museum at least 2 Museum business days (Tuesday-Sunday) in advance from your entry time. We do not offer same day refunds, nor refunds past the ticket date.
It is the patron’s responsibility to re-purchase any ticket(s).
To request a refund, please contact the Museum at 978-283-0455 x110 or email us at [email protected].
What is included in General Admission?
All permanent exhibitions are included in your General Admission ticket. Exceptions include Special Exhibitions, which may require that you pre-purchase timed-entry window tickets depending on the exhibition.
There are also select Docent Guided Tours and Tours of the Captain Elias Davis House that are included with General Admission. Please see Book a Tour for more details.
May I visit the Museum Gift Store without buying a ticket?
Yes! Tickets are not required to shop in our Gift Store. The Museum also has an Online Store where you can browse a selection of catalogs, books, stationary, home décor and more.
How long does it take to see the entire Museum?
One can comfortably view the Museum in 1 ½ -2 hours. Plan for an additional hour for Special Exhibitions requiring timed-entry window tickets.
May I stay as long as I like?
Yes, you may stay until the Museum closes. For the General Museum you may also leave and come back, just notify the Front Desk upon your exit and return. Re-entry is not permitted for Special Exhibitions requiring timed-entry window tickets; once you exit, you may not re-enter.
Do you offer guided tours?
We have a variety of guided tours available. Some are included with General Admission, such as our Highlights Tours and our Captain Elias Davis House Tours. There are also special walking tours that require preregistration. To view and register for a walking tour, visit our Events Calendar. If you are interested in arranging a personalized group tour, please fill out this Inquiry Form. View Tours to learn more about all of our current offerings.
What is available for children?
The Cape Ann Museum offers free activities year-round to kids, families, and caregivers. These include hands-on activities that bring exhibits to life, Museum-wide scavenger hunts, activities in the Education Studio, and programs over school vacation. Follow CAM on Instagram and Facebook, or sign up for our newsletter to receive updates and news about upcoming programs and activities.
May I bring my backpack into the Museum?
Bags smaller than 12″ x 12″ x 6″ may be carried as a handbag or worn on the front side of the body. Bags in excess of 12″ x 12″ x 6″ must be stored. Exceptions are made for medical or religious needs. Free lockers are available for use in our Coat Room on a first come, first served basis. Please note that all bags are subject to inspection by Museum staff.
Do you have a cafe?
The Museum does not have a cafe, but there are many local restaurants and coffee shops in town. To see a list of dining options through Discover Gloucester, click here. We do not allow food or drink in the galleries, but there are free lockers available on a first come, first served basis in our Coat Room where you may store perishables.
Do you offer parking?
There is no Museum dedicated parking, but there are municipal lots close by. To learn more, please visit Directions & Parking.
Is your museum ADA accessible?
Yes, the Museum is ADA accessible. For more information, please visit Accessibility.
Why become a member?
Becoming a member of the Cape Ann Museum offers excellent value and connection to one of New England’s most dynamic cultural institutions. Members enjoy free general admission for a full year, a select number of guest admissions, invitations to world-class exhibitions, programs, and events, and regular members-only updates and opportunities. Membership also includes a 10% discount in the Museum Store. If you become a member at the Contributor level or above, you will receive the benefit of being a member with the North American Reciprocal Museum Association—which offers free or discounted admission to over 800 museums across North America making it both a rewarding way to support the Museum’s mission and a great resource for art and history lovers locally and while traveling.
To learn more and join, please visit Memberships.
How do I join or renew my membership?
You can join or renew your membership in person with our Visitor Service Staff, over the phone by calling Kathleen Maiorana at 978-283-0455 x 115, or online by visiting Membership.
Does my membership get me free admission?
Your membership grants you free entry for General Admission to the Museum. While members receive free or discounted rates for certain programming and special exhibitions such as Avery, Gottlieb & Rothko: By the Sea, registration is still required.
Please visit FAQs for Avery, Gottlieb & Rothko: By the Sea for questions and answers related directly to the Special Exhibition.
The CAM Library & Archives is open to all, and is a major resource for the study of the industrial, social, maritime, and art history of Cape Ann. The collections within have been available to researchers and curious browsers alike since 1875.
The Digital Collections Catalog represents the ongoing efforts to make these materials available and discoverable online. We continue to add new items and collections regularly.
Tour schedules and times may change during special exhibitions and holidays. For up-to-date information, please contact Visitor Services at [email protected] or 978-283-0455 x110.
Highlights Tours
Highlights Tours are on hiatus as we share the renovated Museum with you by gallery! Docents will be stationed at different areas of the Museum to answer questions or share information. Highlights Tours will resume in Fall 2026.
Captain Elias Davis House Tours
Beginning in August, Fridays at 2:00 p.m.
Enjoy a docent tour of the first floor of the Captain Elias Davis House, furnished with period pieces and antiquities. The Davis House, located in Gloucester’s downtown neighborhood, was constructed between 1799 and 1804 and has been the headquarters of the Cape Ann Museum since 1923.
Walking Tours
The Museum offers a variety of walking tours in and around Cape Ann. Walking tours include, but are not limited to: Harbor Views – The Paintings of Fitz Henry Lane, Ed & Jo Hopper’s Houses – Views from Portuguese Hill, Waterfront Reflections – Gloucester’s Harbor Village, and more! General Admission is included with the cost of these special guided tours. Please see the Events Calendar to view upcoming tours and purchase tickets.
Group Tours — temporarily unavailable
Group Tours of the collection can be scheduled by appointment and can be tailored to best fit the specific needs and interests of the group. To learn more or schedule a tour, please contact Visitor Services at [email protected] or 978-283-0455 x110.
Guided group tours are $5.00 + regular admission rate. A minimum two weeks’ advance notice and a credit card is required to hold your reservation. Tours are dependent on docent availability.
Group Tours are not available for the special exhibition Avery, Gottlieb & Rothko: By the Sea.
School Group Tours
The Cape Ann Museum is proud to support educators and offers both guided and self‑guided visits for school groups. Our Educational Programs are designed for Preschool through Grade 12, as well as post‑secondary and homeschool groups. Museum Education staff are also available to collaborate with teachers to create customized experiences tailored to specific learning goals and interests.
School tours are offered Tuesday through Friday during regular Museum hours. Please allow a minimum of four weeks’ advance notice when scheduling.
To schedule a visit, please use the form below or call 978-283-0455 ext. 126 to speak with the Education Manager. You will receive a response back within 48 business hours. Please note: The Museum’s hours are Tuesday-Sunday.
School Group Tours are not available for the special exhibition Avery, Gottlieb & Rothko: By the Sea.
Sunday, September 13, 2026 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Auditorium, Downtown Campus 27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA 01930 Registration Required CAM Members $5, Non-Members $15 (includes General Admission). Tickets do […]
Downtown Campus
Sundays 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. White-Ellery House CAM Green 13 Poplar Street, Gloucester, MA Free and open to the public Space is limited; first come, first served Reverend John […]
CAM Green
Thursday, September 17, 2026 and Thursday, September 24, 2026 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. CAM Education Room Downtown Campus 27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA CAM Members $5, Non-Members (Adult) $25 […]
Downtown Campus
Join us for Cape Ann Museum’s Avery, Gottlieb & Rothko: By the Sea Symposium spanning two days. Thursday, September 17, 5:30 p.m. Kyrouz Auditorium Gloucester City Hall 9 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, […]
Downtown Campus
Join us online for Cape Ann Museum’s Avery, Gottlieb & Rothko: By the Sea Symposium spanning two days. The in-person program is now oversubscribed due to tremendous community interest. To accommodate […]
Online
Due to popular demand the keynote lecture on Thursday, September 17th has been moved to the Kyrouz Auditorium at Gloucester City Hall. The full day on Friday, September 18th remains […]
Gloucester City Hall
Fridays at 2:00 p.m. Downtown Campus 27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA Free with General Admission Sign up with Visitor Services at the Front Desk Space is limited What can a house tell us […]
Downtown Campus
Saturday, September 19, 2026 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Livestream Ticketing Options: CAM Members Free, Non-Members $10. Registration Required The in-person program is now oversubscribed due to tremendous community interest. […]
Onlilne
Due to popular demand we were able to open a select number of seats for this lecture! Saturday, September 19, 2026 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Downtown Campus Auditorium 27 […]
Downtown Campus
![Marsden Hartley (1877-1943). Summer Outward Bound, Gloucester, 1931, oil on board. Collection of Cape Ann Museum. Gift of the estate of Robert L. French, 2009 [Accession # 2009.51.9].](https://www.capeannmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Marsden-Hartley-Dogtown-600x400-1.jpg)
Sunday, September 20, 2026 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Babson Boulder Parking Cherry Street, Gloucester, MA 01930 CAM Members $15, Non-Members $25. Registration Required On Cape Ann, the name “Dogtown” […]
Babson Boulder Parking
Sundays 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. White-Ellery House CAM Green 13 Poplar Street, Gloucester, MA Free and open to the public Space is limited; first come, first served Reverend John […]
CAM Green
Thursday, September 17, 2026 and Thursday, September 24, 2026 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. CAM Education Room Downtown Campus 27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA CAM Members $5, Non-Members (Adult) $25 […]
Downtown Campus
27 Pleasant Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
978-283-0455
Buy Tickets to visit the newly renovated Museum and the special exhibition Avery, Gottlieb & Rothko: By the Sea.
13 Poplar Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
Our CAM Green Campus is open seasonally beginning July 10th, Friday – Sunday.
