Cape Ann Museum hosts Educators’ Open House

Cape Ann Museum hosts Educators’ Open House

Bringing local art and history into the classroom.

GLOUCESTER, Mass. (September 12, 2015) – The Cape Ann Museum warmly welcomes all curious and creative educators to an Open House onTuesday, September 29 from 4:00p.m. to 6:00p.m. Meet with local teachers while exploring the galleries and learn about the many ways in which the Museum’s collections are being used in the classroom today. For more information, please email Liza Browning atlizabrowning@capeannmuseum.org or call (978) 283-0455, x16.

Early in the evening, past and present local teachers will be on hand to share their experiences collaborating with the Museum and Museum Educator Liza Browning. Following tours of the galleries, Senior Researcher Melissa Trafton will guide educators through a demonstration of Fitz Henry Lane Online. This state-of-the-art web-based resource combines a free public catalog of world-renowned American marine artist Fitz Henry Lane’s paintings and drawings, with research into the history of the 19th-century coastal life he portrayed in his works. Former CAM Director of Education Courtney Richardson will join Trafton to model lesson plans that put to use the many facets of this online tool, including original documents pulled from the Museum’s archives – most rarely seen by the public – which offer a fuller understanding of the history of fishing, maritime activity and life along the New England coast. The evening concludes with a wine and cheese reception where teachers will have a chance to share ideas and discuss future collaborations. Educators from schools throughout the North Shore are welcome to attend free of charge. 

The Museum hosts field trips and offers classroom visits throughout the year. Museum Educator Liza Browning will be available for question regarding this resource.  

The Fitz Henry Lane Online project is generously funded by: Danversbank Charitable Foundation, John H. and H. Naomi Tomfohrde Foundation, Wyeth Foundation for American Art and National Endowment for the Arts.

Image: Fitz Henry Lane (1804–1865). Gloucester Harbor at Sunrise, c. 1850, oil on canvas. Cape Ann Museum. Gift of Judge Lawrence Brooks, 1970. [Acc. #2020]