De Hirsh Margules, Mother Ann Lighthouse, Eastern Point, Gloucester, 1946. Gouache on paper. Gift of Jean M. Horblit, 2002. [Acc. #2002.004.002]
At the Cape Ann Museum, students don’t just take a tour. They investigate. Our school experiences invite students to learn directly from works of art and objects through close observation, curiosity, conversation, and evidence-based thinking. Rather than trying to see everything, students spend meaningful time with a small number of works and objects, asking questions, testing ideas, and making connections to classroom learning. Programs can be shaped around grade level, curriculum, and Massachusetts learning standards.
Cape Ann’s collections offer rich opportunities to investigate art, history, culture, science, and the environment through an interdisciplinary lens.
Students might explore the region’s maritime heritage, investigate storytelling and design through the work of Virginia Lee Burton and the Folly Cove Designers, or examine the intersection of history, folklore, and scientific inquiry through the Sea Serpent of Cape Ann.
Guided Visits in the Galleries
60 minutes | Free for Cape Ann schools
At the Cape Ann Museum, students don’t just take a tour. They investigate.
Led by trained museum educators and docents, these interactive, inquiry-based experiences invite students to explore works of art and historical objects through close observation, curiosity, conversation, and evidence-based thinking.
Rather than trying to see everything, students spend meaningful time with a small number of works and objects, asking questions, sharing ideas, and making connections to their own experiences and classroom learning. Gallery-based discussions and hands-on activities encourage creative thinking, collaboration, and interdisciplinary connections across art, history, science, language arts, and the humanities.
Designed for students in PreK through Grade 12, visits can be tailored to classroom learning goals and aligned with Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and Common Core State Standards.
All Guided Gallery Visits are 60 minutes and free for Cape Ann schools.
PreK–Grade 2 | Explorers
Young learners explore art, history, and the world around them through curiosity, imagination, and discovery. By looking closely at works of art and historical objects, sharing observations, and making personal connections, students begin to explore how objects tell stories about people, places, and everyday life
Grades 3–5 | Investigators
Students investigate art, history, and the connections between people and place through close observation and inquiry. By asking questions, exploring visual evidence, and considering different perspectives, students discover how works of art and historical objects can deepen their understanding of Cape Ann and the wider world.
Grades 6–8 | Evidence Builders
Students examine works of art and historical objects as sources of evidence about history, culture, and community. Through inquiry, comparison, and consideration of multiple perspectives, students question assumptions, develop interpretations, and explore connections between the past and present.
Grades 9–12 | Interpreters
Students engage in deeper inquiry into art, history, place, and identity through close examination of works and historical objects. By analyzing context, considering multiple perspectives, and questioning how stories are constructed and presented, students explore how museums interpret the past and connect it to contemporary issues.
Teacher-Led School Visit
Bring your students to explore CAM through questions and activities shaped by your curriculum. Museum resources can support teacher-led close looking, conversation, and inquiry.
Visit the Library and Archives
The Library and Archives at the Cape Ann Museum is a rich resource for teachers and students to view primary source documents, literature and digital resources. When scheduling, ask about visiting the Library and Archives as part of your tour.
To learn more about the CAM Library and Archives, including links to online resources, please visit Library & Archives.
The Cape Ann Museum works collaboratively with educators and schools to develop meaningful learning experiences that extend beyond a single museum visit.
Through sustained partnerships, students investigate compelling questions, explore connections across disciplines, and engage with the Museum’s collections, historic properties, and archival resources.
Partnership experiences may include gallery investigations, artmaking, creative writing, primary-source research, classroom connections, and multi-session projects. Programs can be developed across art, history, language arts, science, social studies, and other curriculum areas.
CAM educators collaborate with teachers to identify learning goals, design engaging experiences, and support connections between museum learning, classroom inquiry, and students’ lives.
Examples of school partnerships include:
Educators interested in developing a school partnership are encouraged to contact the Museum to discuss possibilities.
All Guided Gallery Visits are 60 minutes and free for Cape Ann schools.
To schedule a visit email please use the form below or call 978-283-0455 ext. 126 to speak with the Education Manager. You will receive a response back within 48 business hours. (Please note: The Museum’s hours are Tuesday-Sunday.)
Group Size & Chaperones
To ensure a welcoming, engaging, and meaningful museum experience for all students, we require at least one adult chaperone for every 10 students. School visits can accommodate a maximum of 60 students per visit. Teachers and chaperones play an important role in supporting student learning, encouraging participation, and helping create a safe and positive experience for everyone.
Museum Hours
For Museum Hours please visit here.
Directions
For directions to either CAM’s Downtown Campus or CAM Green, please visit here.
Arrival
Please arrive at your scheduled time. A CAM Educator or Docent will meet you at the entrance. Please wear name tags and have groups divided in to small groups of 10 or fewer student.
Parking
For the Downtown Campus, please use on-street parking or the municipal parking lot available across the street from the Museum. For the CAM Green. please use the parking lot unless directed otherwise when you schedule your visit.
Food and Bags
To help protect the art and objects in our galleries, we ask that students and visitors leave backpacks, food, and beverages outside the gallery spaces. Lockers and storage bins are available for bags, coats, and umbrellas during your visit.
Accessibility
The Cape Ann Museum is committed to creating a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive experience for all learners. We encourage teachers and group leaders to connect with our Education Manager before their visit to discuss any accommodations or individual needs that will help ensure a safe, comfortable, and meaningful museum experience.
27 Pleasant Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
978-283-0455
Open Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.
13 Poplar Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
Closed for the season except for special programming or appointments.
