If you’re considering a move to the New England region, Gloucester, Massachusetts, may be just the place to make your move. A coastal city on the Cape Ann peninsula, Gloucester boasts a long fishing history and picturesque harbor featuring names of sailors who perished at sea. Maritime artists Fitz Henry Lane are also famous for painting the harbor, which features many ships. The Good Harbor Beach stretches to Salt Island, while the Hammond Castle Museum is the former home of inventor John Hay Hammond Jr.
If you’re looking for a family day out, Gloucester’s Children’s Museum of Charleston offers plenty of opportunities for children to engage in arts and crafts. The museum’s activity center features book nooks and a replica canoe. The Museum’s collection also includes a diorama of Gloucester Harbor, Fresnel lenses, and Character Cards, which help children learn about different paintings. A Winslow Homer exhibit focuses on children’s artwork, while a Fitz Henry Lane painting exhibition and Folly Cove textile designs exhibit are great for adults. And if you’re hungry, there are plenty of restaurants in Gloucester where you can get a bite to eat.
Another place to take a break from your busy schedule is the Blynman Bridge, known locally as the cut bridge. Built in 1907, the bridge honors the men who died at sea while fishing in the city. The town’s first minister and prominent citizen, Richard Blynman, was instrumental in digging a canal to connect Annisquam and Gloucester Harbor. This cut through an isthmus in 1643 is now located near the Blynman Bridge, a scenic location for watching boats. Sometimes, the Wicked Tuna dock at the Cape Ann Marina.
If you love history, Gloucester is the place for you. The historic district of the town is rich in museums, and you’ll never tire of visiting them. The Maritime Gloucester Museum and the Cape Ann Museum are two of the many museums in the downtown area. There are also plenty of places to explore. You’ll find everything from historical buildings to art galleries and even a working granite industry. The Old Town was home to a bustling granite industry, but the area is now a thriving modern city.
For a night out, check out the Riverfest Seaside Music Festival. Although the festival was canceled last year due to a Covid disaster, local bands such as Tall Heights and Mt. Joy performed there. Guster performed there as well. The event is free and open to the public. If you’re looking to spend a relaxing day on the beach, make sure to check out Wingaersheek Beach and Good Harbor Beach. These two locations feature lifeguards, showers, and restrooms.
The early settlers of Gloucester began clearing large tracts of forest in the area around Cape Ann and using the timber to build structures in Boston. During the early Colonial period, the moors were still cleared and the inland part of town became known as “Common Village.” The small dwellings scattered throughout the landscape became known as “Dogtown” and ‘Commons’. The quaint buildings were one to two stories high, and many generations lived in them.