Cape Ann Museum hosts virtual lecture series on African Americans in Essex County

Monthly lecture series allows attendees to celebrate cultural history of Cape Ann

Friday, February 26 at 1:00 p.m.

GLOUCESTER, MASS. (Feb. 2021) – To honor and celebrate Black History Month, the Cape Ann Museum welcomes Dr. Kabria Baumgartner and Dr. Elizabeth Duclos-Orsello to discuss their research and report on the history of African Americans in Essex County as part of the Museum’s new virtual lecture series on Friday, Feb. 26 at 1 p.m.

Dr. Baumgartner, Associate Professor of American Studies and Faculty Fellow for Equity and Inclusion of the University of New Hampshire, and Dr. Duclos-Orsello, Chair and Professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and Coordinator of American Studies at Salem State University, will discuss their research for a new report, African Americans in Essex County, which was funded by the National Park Service and will be released later this spring.

The two have spent the past two years visiting historic repositories throughout Essex County, including the Cape Ann Museum, to collect, compile, and catalog the history of African Americans in this area.

“Exploring the deep and complex history of African Americans in Essex County is incredibly enriching,” said Dr. Baumgartner. “What becomes apparent is that African Americans have contributed to the economic development as well as the cultural and intellectual wealth of Essex County, which is a federally recognized national heritage area.”

“The African Americans in Essex County Project is the first study to provide a thorough accounting of the archival collections and materials at area repositories related to the African American experience, dating back to the seventeenth century. By compiling these materials, we have opened some new possibilities to share fascinating “hidden” stories, to identify and connect complex themes, and to collaborate with cultural institutions and community members in order to understand the dynamic history of African Americans in this region,” she said.

During the virtual discussion, participants will hear directly from Dr. Baumgartner and Dr. Duclos-Orsello about what they have learned, the impetus behind the project, and their recommendations for how local residents and institutions can celebrate and support African American History in Essex County.

WHEN and WHERE: Friday, February 26, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. EST. Register online at https://www.capeannmuseum.org/events/african-americans-essex-county/ or call 978-283-0455 x10 or email to info@capeannmuseum.org. Free for CAM members; $10 for non-members. 

Next scheduled lecture in the series will be on Friday, March 19 at 4:00 pm: How Copley Painted Women, presented by Dr. Erica Hirshler, Croll Senior Curator of American Paintings, MFA Boston and Jane Kamensky, Trumbull Professor of American History, Harvard University.

Outdoor walking tours offer socially-distanced way to learn about artists Edward Hopper and Fitz Henry Lane in Gloucester and the evolution of religious and spiritual life on Cape Ann

GLOUCESTER, MASS. (February 2021) – During the month of February, the Cape Ann Museum will offer three outdoor walking tours in downtown Gloucester. During a time of continued concerns around the spread of COVID-19, the 1½-hour tours offer participants a safe and engaging way to learn about the rich history of Cape Ann. Each tour is led by a knowledgeable Museum docent who will guide participants along a route through the city focusing on the chosen topic.

Cape Ann’s storied light, its natural beauty, and its rich cultural history had a significant impact on the many American artists who worked or lived on Cape Ann. On the Hopper and Lane tours, participants will visit places and observe the same views of the harbor, beaches, homes and churches that each artist translated into remarkable works of art. The “Evolution of Spiritual Communities” tour covers sites related to the religious and spiritual life of European settlers on Cape Ann over its 400-year history.

Full descriptions of each tour and required online registration information can be found at capeannmuseum.org/events.

Tours are held rain or shine. All participants must wear face masks, and dogs are not allowed on the walks. Cost is $10 for CAM members and $20 for non-members, and it includes Museum admission. Advance online registration is required. Space is limited.

For more information about the Museum, its programs, exhibits, and collections, visit www.capeannmuseum.org.

Sawyer Free Library’s Winter Wellness Series: GRETA WILLIAMS to discuss Natural Health and Acupressure on 2/11 at 7pm

The Sawyer Free Library is presenting an engaging and informative virtual educational series to help patrons learn ways to support their health and wellness this winter-and all year long.

Thursday, February 11 at 7 pm: Learn about the benefits of Natural Health and Acupressure with GRETA WILLIAMS, Licensed Acupuncuturist. Register for vitural event at SawyerFreeLibrary.org.

Be sure to also mark your calendars for these upcoming classes in the Winter Wellness series:

Monday, February 22 at 7 pm: Gentle Yoga, Stretch and Meditation with Janet Green Garrison, Certified Yoga Instructor (M.Ed., R.Y.T., CADAC)

Monday, March 8 at 7 pm: Learn about Hiking Cape Ann with Taylor Ann Bradford

For all programs, register on the Library Calendar at SawyerFreeLibrary.org. The Zoom link will be emailed to you.

Gloucester Biotechnology Academy Now Accepting Applications

The Gloucester Biotechnology Academy is now accepting applications for the Class of 2022! The Academy, located in Blackburn Industrial Park, provides high school graduates with the training needed to begin a career in biotech. This innovative program pairs ten months of hands-on training in a state-of-the-art teaching lab with a paid, three-month internship at a biotech company or research institute in Boston, Cambridge or the North Shore.

Are you – or know someone who might be – interested in learning more? Visit our website or contact Education Director Dr. John Doyle at john.doyle@gmgi.org for more information.

LEAP for Education Summer Internship Program 2021 – Apply Now!

LEAP for Education is running a FREE 2020 Summer Internship Program for Gloucester Youth and Young Adults, and those from surrounding towns!

Work virtually on a project with a mentor/company where you will gain important workplace skills

Start to build a resume for college and future endeavors – examples of projects include website design at a communication company; marketing project with a Vice President of marketing; teen council representative for a local nonprofit, positions at the Sawyer Free Library, teller positions at BankGloucester, and many more.

Receive school credit and a salary or $500 stipend

Attend regularly scheduled Zoom workplace skills workshops on topics such as job interviewing, job hunting, and resume writing

For more information, to set up an interview to discuss your interests, or to register, please email JoAnn Leavitt, Program Coordinator, at jleavitt@leap4ed.org

Application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScygnpeAOkf8HvrsxkhEtu6l-GLcBXU_kDM2c_4k5UMBf-m_w/viewform

Youth and Young Adults: MAKE GREAT USE OF YOUR TIME THIS SUMMER! APPLY NOW!

Winter Wellness Series hosted by the Sawyer Free Library: Self Care in Uncertain Times

The Sawyer Free Library is presenting an engaging and informative virtual educational series to help patrons learn ways to support their health and wellness this winter-and all year long.

The program featuring some of Cape Ann’s best certified natural health care practitioners, offers the community an opportunity to connect virtually while discovering the benefits of yoga, meditation, acupressure, natural heath and energizing local hikes. 

Thursday, February 11 at 7 pm: Learn about the benefits of Natural Health and Acupressure with GRETA WILLIAMS, Licensed Acupuncuturist. Register for vitural event at SawyerFreeLibrary.org.

Be sure to also mark your calendars for these upcoming classes in the Winter Wellness series:

Monday, February 22 at 7 pm: Gentle Yoga, Stretch and Meditation with Janet Green Garrison, Certified Yoga Instructor (M.Ed., R.Y.T., CADAC)

Monday, March 8 at 7 pm: Learn about Hiking Cape Ann with Taylor Ann Bradford

For all programs, register on the Library Calendar at SawyerFreeLibrary.org. The Zoom link will be emailed to you.

Building an Exhibition in a Pandemic

WHAT: In response to the continued state-wide limit on large gatherings, the Cape Ann Museum is pleased to offer a new monthly program, the CAM Virtual Lecture Series. The series kicks off with “Building an Exhibition in a Pandemic” featuring CAM Librarian/Archivist Trenton Carls and CAM Curatorial Assistant Leon Doucette as they lead virtual attendees on a tour of the Museum’s newest exhibition, CAM (Re)Connects, live on Zoom.

The exhibition features many of the objects and works of art spotlighted in the Museum’s virtual outreach shared over the first six months of the pandemic under the name, CAM Connects. The hosts will discuss the massive pivot that the Cape Ann Museum, along with fellow cultural institutions, took in 2020 and how the pandemic combined with creativity to give birth to this exhibition.

This new virtual lecture series builds off the Museum’s successful online book launch of Paul St. Germain’s “Saving Straitsmouth Island” last November. The monthly program offers participants around the world the chance to engage deeply with the Museum’s extensive collection from the safety of home.

WHO: CAM Librarian/Archivist Trenton Carls and CAM Curatorial Assistant Leon Doucette will lead the first virtual lecture live on Zoom.

WHEN and WHERE: Friday, January 29, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. EST. Register online at https://www.capeannmuseum.org/events/building-exhibition-pandemic/ or call 978-283-0455 x10 or email to info@capeannmuseum.org. Free for CAM members; $10 for non-members. 

LEAP for Education Summer 2021 Virtual Internship Program – Apply now!

LEAP for Education is running a FREE 2020 Summer Internship Program for Gloucester Youth and Young Adults, and those from surrounding towns!

Work virtually on a project with a mentor/company where you will gain important workplace skills

Start to build a resume for college and future endeavors – examples of projects include website design at a communication company; marketing project with a Vice President of marketing; teen council representative for a local nonprofit, positions at the Sawyer Free Library, teller positions at BankGloucester, and many more.

Receive school credit and a salary or $500 stipend

Attend regularly scheduled Zoom workplace skills workshops on topics such as job interviewing, job hunting, and resume writing

For more information, to set up an interview to discuss your interests, or to register, please email JoAnn Leavitt, Program Coordinator, at jleavitt@leap4ed.org

Application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScygnpeAOkf8HvrsxkhEtu6l-GLcBXU_kDM2c_4k5UMBf-m_w/viewform

Youth and Young Adults: MAKE GREAT USE OF YOUR TIME THIS SUMMER! APPLY NOW!

THANK YOU! Sawyer Free Library’s Annual Appeal Campaign Goal Reached and Surpassed!

Thanks to the community’s incredible generosity, the Sawyer Free Library not only reached, but greatly exceeded its 2020 year-end fundraising goal! 


This year the Library was thrilled to welcome many new contributors and grateful that several returning donors increased their giving. No matter the amount, your support means so much, especially during a year that has been challenging for all. 


YOU, the community is at the core of our work. With your help the Sawyer Free Library has met this uncertain moment with certainty, expanding digital services, helping readers of print books to embrace e-books, giving parents resources to support at-home learning, connecting job-seekers with local networking opportunities, bringing world-renowned speakers into homes and so much more.  

Thank YOU for making it possible!


Your support of the Sawyer Free Library empowers individuals, strengthens families, and makes our great community a better place to live, for which we are deeply grateful.