Dear Friend of the Museum,

Have you been to the millyard over the past week? The crews with both Rye Beach Landscaping and BLB Custom Building have completed their work and the site looks amazing! With this phase complete, for the moment, things are a little quiet.

And yet there is much happening behind the scenes. We await the start of the installation of our canopy which should begin in a few weeks. After that, our friend Matt Bailey of Mountain Top Landscaping will be on site to install our plants and trees and complete the landscaping. We are very hopeful this work will be complete by the end of June.

Inside, work is underway to develop the exhibits and install the finishes that will create the vibrant and welcoming history center we all have envisioned. There is still much to do! And of course, we are working to secure funds needed to complete this phase of the project. (It is not too late for you to make a contribution to the campaign - click here for information!)

When will we open? Our goal is October 2021. BUT - as each element in the History Center is complete, we will have a soft opening. Once all the spaces are complete, we will organize with the grandest and most exuberant celebration you can imagine. And we will keep you informed!

Below is additional Museum News for you.

Thank you for your interest in the ACM. None of this would be possible without the support of our community!

John Mayer
Executive Director
jmayer@amesburycarriagemuseum.com

Here is the latest News for you.

Our Library intern. Ashley Adams, intern from the library studies program at Simmons University, will finish her internship next week. Ashley has organized our collections of historic advertisements and ephemera and been part of the planning that will further develop the library collections. We have established an important relationship with Simmons University and are so pleased to provide a learning opportunity for these young professionals - and - improve our organization. You can watch a Behind the Scenes YouTube video about Ashley's internship here.

Two Grants Received. We are thrilled to have been awarded two grants that will support our programming. Mass Cultural Council awarded a 2021 Project Grant to support a new exhibit in the Counting House storefront. We will be working with local photographer Laura Kozlowski to install a series of images made as part of the recent Frontsteps project.

Essex Heritage National Heritage Area awarded a 2021 Partnership Grant to help us establish a framework for our walking tour program. Museum educator Elisabeth Nevins will work with ACM staff and volunteers to establish our walking tours as a core offering at the Industrial History Center. We are extremely grateful for this support and will be reporting to you as these two projects take form.

Curator’s Choice – Driving through History with Juliann and Matt Sherrill. If you are a fan of vintage cars AND a lover of the Amesbury Car Show, you will enjoy the latest episode in the Driving through History series. Click here to see Matt and Juliann share their passion for vintage cars and Amesbury history. Enjoy!