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A Chart of the Whale Coast of New Englan

WELCOME TO THE MATTAPOISETT MUSEUM

OUR

MISSION

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The Mattapoisett Museum is a vibrant place of learning and community activities. 

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We collaborate and partner with surrounding communities to provide a place of learning and sharing. 

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We collect, maintain and make available for use cultural and historical materials relating to Mattapoisett's heritage. 

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We create a welcoming place for all people of all ages. 

ABOUT US

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The Mattapoisett Museum is dedicated to the preservation of significant artifacts from Mattapoisett’s past which demonstrate the life and culture of this old New England town.

 

We are housed in a charming 1821 Meeting House with an attached replica of a 200 year old carriage house. The ancient pews, graceful galleries, and post and beam construction in the carriage house carry one back to when life revolved around daily work, church, town meeting and the waterfront.

 

Come visit us and let life in historic Mattapoisett come alive for you!

Inside of museum which was an old Baptist Church with pews and pulpit. Chandelier hanging in center.

OUR STORY

The early story of the founding of the Mattapoisett Museum was recorded by Minerva Sparrow in 1959. She credits Lemuel LeBaron Dexter’s interest in Mattapoisett's history and his dedication to collecting as the seeds of the founding of the Historical Society.

Mr. Dexter entrusted his collection of logbooks, wills, trusts, deeds, etc. to Francis Rowland. In 1958, Mr. Rowland floated the idea of founding a historical society to Ms. Sparrow. The Mattapoisett Historical Society was founded on May 19, 1958.

Just when the historical society was hunting for a home for their museum, the Faunce’s attorney was seeking to create a trustee board to manage the funds left to preserve the “Old Baptist Church.” A mutually beneficial relationship was established from the outset. The historical society opened a museum at 5 Church Street in 1959. Charles Mendell became society’s first curator in 1960.

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