Cape Ann Museum Green Opening Celebration

Saturday, September 25 from 10:00 – 5:00 pm
CAM Green, 13 Poplar Street, Gloucester, MA
Admission is free but registration is required

Reserve Tickets

On Saturday, September 25, 2021, the Cape Ann Museum is presenting an opening community celebration for the Cape Ann Museum Green and the Janet & William Ellery James Center. Finished in 2020, this new campus has been used for innovative projects during the COVID Pandemic.

The Museum is excited to be able to invite the full neighborhood to see this new community and cultural resource. Spend the day picnicking on CAM Green, learn about the historic houses, view Quilted Together: An Exhibition of Community Portraits in the James Center, and make art of your own!

Parking is available at O’Maley Middle School with trolley service to the Cape Ann Museum Green. Parking on-site is reserved for those with handicap passes.

Space is limited; reservations encouranged. Call (978) 283-0455 x110 or email [email protected] for details. 

Schedule of Events

All Day:

Quilted Together: An Exhibition of Community Portraits on view at the James Center
Love’s Labors: An installation by Leslie Lyman at the White-Ellery House
What This House Has Seen, a theatrical interpretation of the Babson-Alling House by Lanes Coven
Heart in the Haystack: A community art installation with Kim Radochia
Illustration with CAM Board member, Suzi Natti
Lawn Games & Picnicking on the Green!

10:00 am: Artist Talks from Kim Radochia and Leslie Lyman

Kim Radochia, the artist behind Heart in the Haystack, and Leslie Lyman, the artist of Love’s Labors, will give a presentation outside on the Green describing their work.

11:00 am: Jammin’ with You

Does the thought of clapping along to a sleepy rendition of Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star, make you a little, um, sleepy? Well, get ready for a music and movement class that puts the ROCK in Rock A Bye Baby! JamBABY is an entertaining, interactive way to start your little one’s musical journey on the right note. Come join us at The Cape Ann Museum Green and bring your dancing shoes! 

12:00 pm: Story Time with Suzi Natti

Susanna Natti, Cape Ann resident, CAM board member, and illustrator of 80 children’s books, will offer some illustration activities and tips for all ages throughout the day.  Some of her books will be available to take home, free to anyone who attends.  She will do a reading of selections from the Lionel Series, written by Stephen Krensky, at noon.  

12:30 pm: Seaside Circus Student Performance

Seaside Circus is a Cape Ann based circus school that believes anyone can learn to fly.  They specialize in aerial classes such as trapeze, silks and more.  Come watch as students show off their skills in a short demo then stick around to make your own juggling balls and ribbon dancers, blow bubbles and hula hoop. 

1:30 pm: Celebratory Remarks

Oliver Barker, Cape Ann Museum Director, will give celebratory remarks outlining the importance of the Cape Ann Museum Green and the Janet & William Ellery James Center to the future of the Museum.

2:00 pm: Walking tour of the White-Ellery House with CAM Docent Bonnie Sontag

Built in 1710, the White-Ellery House is one of just a handful of early eighteenth-century houses in Eastern Massachusetts that survives to this day. It is a 2 ½ story "saltbox" structure with a massive central chimney that once serviced six fireplaces. Unlike other structures of this age, the White-Ellery House has had very few interior alterations over the years. Stepping inside today, visitors enter much the same house they would have 300 years ago.

3:00 – 5:00 pm: Teen Art Display

Coordinated by the Teen Arts Council, local teen musicians and artists will set up in front of the James Center from 3:00-5:00 pm. Stop by to meet members of the CAM Teen Arts Council and hear about how the Museum is planning to engage local high schoolers in the year ahead.