Cape Ann Museum

About Us

The Cape Ann Museum tells multiple stories, all connected to a remarkable place. From its earliest days as a fishing and shipping port, to its mid-19th-century role in the granite industry, to its singular qualities of light and sea that have attracted countless artists from the 19th century to the present, Cape Ann boasts a rich culture of nationally significant historical, industrial, and artistic achievement.

The Museum’s fine art collection includes the largest grouping of works by native son and renowned marine artist Fitz Henry Lane, as well as works by other prominent artists inspired by Cape Ann. Contemporary Cape Ann artists are also collected and exhibited. The permanent collection encompasses fine and decorative arts and artifacts from the area’s major industries—the fisheries and granite quarrying.

Founded in 1873, the Museum today encompasses two campuses. Its Downtown Campus, revitalized in 2026 through a major renovation, features galleries, an auditorium, a library and archives, and the Education Studio, with improved systems and expanded facilities for the care and exhibition of its collections. CAM Green and the Janet & William Ellery James Center hosts contemporary art, sculpture gardens, and spaces for special exhibitions and programs.

The Museum presents a rotating schedule of special exhibitions, lectures, tours, educational programs, and events throughout the year.

Visit us today to discover the treasures of Cape Ann.