Introduction --

Just steps off of the boardwalk in downtown Newburyport is an imposing granite building that was once a Custom House. Customs were collected here from the magnificent sailing ships that plied the world in trade. Beautiful ships, built locally, flew on the winds to faraway foreign ports. Inside the Custom House Maritime Museum is a wealth of treasures. Many were collected by long ago captains, and brought back to show family and friends. Models of ships, paintings of ships, a quilt made by a girl who sailed with her father. An enormous egg, privateer stories, knot tying, and the birth of the U.S. Coast Guard. All are here. Read. Visit. Learn. Enjoy! In this book we have made an effort to show some of these treasures and to share, in a simple way, the wonderful maritime history of Newburyport.