Events
Exciting events are coming up this month and next! See details on this page and register or pay to attend.
See the full events calendar here:
2024 CALENDAR
PRIVATE EVENT RENTALS
The Amesbury Carriage Museum offers a unique and historic event venue in a former textile mill building. This space offers groups the ideal setting for their holiday parties, corporate conferences, birthday celebrations and more. We look forward to helping you plan your event. Please note, dates are not confirmed until a signed contract and deposit have been received. By renting space at the Amesbury Carriage Museum, you are providing support for all of the invaluable programs and services the museum has to offer.
Contact us for more information, date availability, or to arrange a site visit - info@amesburycarriagemuseum.org, 978-834-5058
Botanical Eco Printing with Cheryl Desjardin
Experience the fascinating process of capturing the beauty of natural plant material on silk. In this workshop, led by Cheryl Desjardin, Textile Artist and Natural Dyer, you’ll create your own beautiful silk scarf to take home.
Ages 16+
$30 Members. $45 Non-members
Learn Cross-Stitch: Create a Beautiful Bookmark
Join us for a fun and creative series of workshops where children can learn traditional decorative arts and take home their very own handmade projects! The first class will introduce the timeless art of cross-stitch. In this beginner-friendly workshop, children will learn the basics of cross-stitch while creating a beautiful bookmark to take home.
All materials provided. No prior experience is necessary. Ages 9 +
$10
Introducing our pilot program of exclusive members only offerings! January’s exclusive is an evening social hour centered around collections. Staff will choose a few items which may include objects, archives and photographs. Enjoy a brief presentation and spend the remainder of the event perusing the display and using the items as a focal point for discussion.
Available only to current ACM members. Light refreshments available.
$5 per person.
From January to May, the ACM Book Club will meet monthly to discuss each of the selected titles. This year’s selection will reflect elements of New England living in the 20th Century. A copy of each book will be reserved for each participant through the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium.
This is a free program available to current ACM members. Not a member yet? Join here
See this year’s book selections and register below.
Join Clare Dombrowski, from the Amesbury Public Library, for a lively and engaging story hour at the Industrial History Center! Each session features delightful stories, songs, dance, and a simple craft inspired by themes of industry, transportation, and Amesbury’s rich history.
This free program is perfect for children ages 3 to 6, with younger siblings welcome to join the fun! Little ones will explore Amesbury’s fascinating past through stories, music, movement, and hands-on creativity.
Get ready to sing, dance, and create while learning about the history that shaped our community. We can’t wait to see you there!
Dates: 1/30, 2/27, 3/14, 4/17
A handmade creation is a wonderful way to show appreciation for your family and friends during the holiday season. In this workshop, led by local artist, Bonnie Brady, we’ll craft up to ten 5" x 7" notecards using three unique designs, each made with beautiful decorative papers! You’ll also get to take home extra materials to continue making cards on your own.
No experience is needed to join. This workshop is suitable for teens and adults.
$15 Members $25 Non-members
Knock a few items of your holiday wishlist
Make block print cards with Johanna Finnegan-Topitzer.
This is the second workshop in this series. Beginners and repeat crafters welcome!
Support the museum by attending our 39th Annual Meeting.
Celebrating a new Exhibit Parallel Lives: Amesbury’s Historic & Modern Citizens, we will host a private reception at the Industrial History Center for an advance viewing. The meeting will follow just around the corner with dinner at Ristorante Molise.
You will meet Museum leadership and get up to date on our plans and progress, while enjoying good food and company.
Members: $45 / Non-members: $50
Rita Parisi from Waterfall Productions will present Gothic Victorian Tales by Candlelight. This theatrical presentation will feature stories about CURSES, DEATH and IMMORTALITY from the 19th-century New England writer, Sarah Orne Jewett. A native of South Berwick Maine, her stories mirror the everyday lives of New Englanders; often reflecting the mysterious and supernatural.
Doors open at 6:15 pm
Members: $15 / Non-members: $25
Join us for an exclusive member-only event—a private tour of the Museum of Printing in Haverhill, MA. Discover the fascinating history of printing, a key industry that played a crucial role in the Industrial Revolution. From the evolution of printing technology to its impact on communication and industry, this tour offers a unique glimpse into a world that shaped the modern era.
We've arranged a special guided tour just for our members, providing an intimate and in-depth look at the museum's extensive collection. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the rich history of printing in a setting that celebrates the innovation and craftsmanship of the past.
We will meet at the Museum of Printing. To arrange to carpool from the IHC, email sspalding@amesburycarriagemuseum.org
Learn the ancient art of broom making wiht Christine Hribar. Create a simple turkey-wing whisk-style broom.
This is the second of three workshops.
Join us for our biggest fundraiser of the year — it’s guaranteed to be a great time!
Bringing back last year’s popular speakeasy theme, you’ll get a free drink ticket if you dress up with a 1920s /30s vibe.
Check out vintage automobiles, enjoy jazz tunes, and feast on a scrumptious buffet. Play games of chance to win prizes and bid on auction items including rides in antique vehicles.
And, you’ll barely recognize the museum turned into a speakeasy serving beer, wine, and gin cocktail tasters.
Members: $50 / Non-members: $65
Join us for a family-friendly open house about all things automobiles! Amesbury, known as “carriage town,” also had a thriving early automobile industry. Makers including Pontiac, Durant, General Motors, Cadillac, Rolls Royce, and more chose Amesbury carriage makers to build their first automobile bodies.
Come learn about this hidden history of Amesbury and see vintage and antique vehicles and artifacts from the early automotive era on display.
FREE. No registration required.
This event is cancelled due to low water levels.
Join us for an exciting journey up the Powow River in Lowell’s Boat Shop historic dories.
Disembark in Amesbury’s Heritage Park, walk to the Industrial History Center in the Upper Millyard, and socialize while enjoying some locally sourced treats.
This row is for adults (18+) and will involve moderate physical activity.
Join us for an inspiring evening about the life of Amesbury legend Annie Webster, a modern-day suffragette who came of age at the turn of the 20th century.
Enjoy an interactive theatrical performance with a captivating portrayal by Sally Nutt and facilitated by Christine Remus, both local talents.
Members: $15 / Non-members: $20
Register HERE
Ready to rock out? Join us for the final session of our Children’s Summer Music Series, featuring Zach Fields Drums & Music! Borrow some of our provided instruments to join the fun. It’s sure to be a blast!
All ages welcome
FREE - No registration required
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Amesbury Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Enjoy a taste of wine on a summer afternoon in the ambiance of the Industrial History Center in the Upper Millyard.
Taste a selection of wines from Mill River Winery
Enjoy a summer-fresh Sangria
Sample an array of tasty appetizers
Enter a raffle to win a wine basket
John Tavano and Chuck Walker will play Latin, jazz, bossa nova, and classical music.
$35 members / $40 non-members
Register HERE.
Amesbury’s Upper Millyard is a monument to the workers who harnessed the power of the Powow River to create work and community. This tour will explore how Amesbury people and businesses showed creativity and resilience in adjusting and adapting to boom and bust cycles on industrialization.
This tour is recommended for adults and young adults who are interested in an introduction to Amesbury’s rich industrial history.
RSVP to sspalding@amesburycarriagemuseum.org. This tour is free but we welcome donations!
Dine in or take out and a portion of your purchase supports the museum!
Join Miss Alicia for a 30-minute music extravaganza! Sing along to catchy tunes, dance, and even try your hand at playing some cool instruments.
All ages are welcome!
Free and open to the public.
Join us again this year at Amesbury's Block Party in the Lower Millyard. We'll have a carriage on display and will welcome folks into the historic Salisbury Point Railroad depot with a collection of local artifacts on display.
Free and open to the public.
A special program for Amesbury Carriage Museum and Lowell’s Boat Shop members
Rain date: Saturday, June 15th
Celebrate the timeless elegance of classic dories and vintage cars. Mingle with like-minded enthusiasts and create lasting memories against the backdrop of our rich maritime and automotive heritage.
Meet at Lowell’s Boat Shop at 5 PM for an hour of rowing up the Merrimack to the Powow River in a classic dory.
Walk from the Lower Millyard landing to nearby Industrial History Center (10-minute walk).
Enjoy pizza and beverages with fellow members.
Conclude the evening at 8:30 PM with a scenic drive back to Lowell’s Boat Shop in a vintage car.
Lowell’s Boat Shop and Amesbury Carriage Museum membersP: $20
LBS members: email Dorithy at dorothy@lowellsboatshop.com
ACM members: REGISTER HERE
Join us for a celebration of all things vehicles! Grab your tickets for a journey through history at the Industrial History Center and in downtown Amesbury.
Lego vehicle building and 30-foot test track, paper airplane engineering, antique carriages and vehicles on display, a three-stop “train” journey featuring ice cream and a visit to an 1864 railroad depot. Raffles, crafts, and more!
Parents and children under 2: free (no need to register)
Children 2 and up: $10 per child
ACM Family Member rate: $5 per child.
Register by June 1st and each child receives a conductor’s hat, scarf, and wooden train whistle! And, receive a free raffle ticket.
Tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event.
Join Miss Alicia for a 30-minute music extravaganza! Sing along to catchy tunes, dance, and even try your hand at playing some cool instruments.
There will be another session on Friday, July 12th at 3 PM.
All ages are welcome!
Free and open to the public.
Amesbury’s Upper Millyard is a monument to the workers who harnessed the power of the Powow River to create work and community. This tour will explore how Amesbury people and businesses showed creativity and resilience in adjusting and adapting to boom and bust cycles on industrialization.
This tour is recommended for adults and young adults who are interested in an introduction to Amesbury’s rich industrial history. The next scheduled tour will be July 20th.
RSVP to sspalding@amesburycarriagemuseum.org. This tour is free but we welcome donations!
Join us for a walking tour of downtown Amesbury as we explore and discover our industrial past. Tour participants will learn about the early history of the automotive industry, revolutionary developments, and how auto bodies were produced here for Rolls Royce, Cadillac, and much more!
Members: $10 / Non-members: $15
A celebratory event honoring moms, sisters, aunties, caregivers, and families. Come for our elegant afternoon tea with scones and sandwiches and all the trimmings. Wear a fun hat and maybe win a prize! Buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win a tea or coffee gift basket.
Date: Saturday, May 11, 2024
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Location: Industrial History Center, Mill 2, Amesbury MA
Adult members: $40 / Adult non-members: $45
Join us for a walking tour of downtown Amesbury as we explore and discover our industrial past. Tour participants will learn about the early history of the automotive industry, revolutionary developments, and how auto bodies were produced here for Rolls Royce, Cadillac, and much more!
Today’s tour is CANCELLED
Please sign up for the May 18th tour instead.
Spring opening of the Industrial History Center!
Celebrate the millyard’s rich legacy of textile production by exploring the journey from sheep to sweater with us!
Meet Castor, a local sheep
Touch and see wool in several stages of the production cycle
See weaving & spinning demonstrations
Try crocheting with Bextrordinary Creatures
Make your own knitting needles
Swap sweaters - exchange your vintage sweaters or hand-knit goods
Free and open to the public.
Inspired by the ACM’s historic hat collection, learn methods to bring drawings to life.
Members: $15 / Non-members: $20
The Community of Makers workshops are sponsored in part by the Amesbury Cultural Council, a local agency of the Mass Cultural Council.
For ages 3 to 6.
Embark on a journey through time with Clare Dombrowski from the Amesbury Public Library.
Enchanting tales inspired by different industries — from the clang of factories buzz of innovation, these tales will transport your child to a bygone era. This is the last session in this series.
Admission free.
RSVP to by clicking HERE.
Drop in also welcome.
Join us at the museum for a fun and informational time!
Meeting museum leadership, mingle with wine & cheese, play mixer bingo, learn about our programs AND win raffle basket and prizes!
Free and open to the public. No registration necessary.
Bring a friend (or two)!!!
Create a collage “millscape” inspired by Amesbury’s millyard.
Members: $15 / Non-members: $20
The Community of Makers workshops are sponsored in part by the Amesbury Cultural Council, a local agency of the Mass Cultural Council.
People of Amesbury; Winter Lecture Series
Amelia Earhart: Pioneer in Aviation
Ages 8 +
See Sheryl Faye portray Amelia’s indomitable spirit and passion for flying in the multi-media, one-woman show.
