Laura Coombs Hills (1859-1952), American artist of pastels, watercolors, and miniatures.

In the 1880s, Laura Hills was an illustrator for Louis Prang and Company, designing cards. After the turn of the century, she illustrated children's books and designed costumes. Her fairy-like figures with their diaphanous outfits evoked an enchanted kingdom.

Image inscription: Winter Sun-set Boy. Orange tights. Bluish plum colored velveteen waist and long tabs. Orange satin sleeve flounces. Cloth of gold upper waist piece. Long gold fringe round neck. Cloth of gold cap with gold rays. Short yellow veil with long ends caught at the waist behind.

Click on Winter Sun-set Boy to begin puzzle. From the collections of the Museum of Old Newbury.

A gilded steel replica of the Museum of Old Newbury Merman, featured high atop the Custom House Maritime Museum's "Maritime Tree," is up for auction.

Click here to place your bid. Bidding ends at noon on January 1, 2021.

The hand cut and crafted Triton with Horn, also known as the Merman, is similar to the one on the Museum of Old Newbury's sign, made by museum Co-President, David Mack. It can be used as a tree topper or garden ornament. The piece measures 15"H x 18"W and is mounted on a 3' steel pole.

New Year, New You! We will get right back to sharing lots of yummy, comfort food recipes, but since so many opt to try to eat a little healthier as of January 1, we thought we'd offer up Katie Haried's marinated treat. Note: Katie serves hers as an appetizer, but for deeper flavor and longer shelf life, store marinade and mushrooms in a glass jar and use on salads or as a side with baked chicken.

2/3 cup tarragon vinegar

1/2 cup salad oil

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium clove garlic, minced

1 tablespoon sugar

2 tablespoons water

Few drops of Tabasco

1 medium red onion, thinly sliced in half moons

1 pound fresh button mushrooms, cleaned*

Mix all but onion and mushrooms and shake/whisk until well blended. *Larger mushrooms should be cut in half or quartered. Add onions and mushrooms to marinade and refrigerate for 8 hours, minimum. Drain and serve with toothpicks. Serves 8 to 10.

Recipe from: "Cushing House Cooks" book – $25 – Order.

Newburyport has a rich and storied history that connects it to places spanning the globe. Stories of Newburyport can be found in faraway lands like London, the Caribbean, Chile, Oregon, California, Bermuda and Hawaii. With Jack Santos as your guide, learn about Newburyport’s connections to the world. 

This is a virtual event and is free of charge; register here. We will send the Zoom link the day before, Monday, January 4, 2020.

(Miss Part 1? Check it out here.)

In this virtual event, best-selling author Eric Jay Dolin will take us through the Golden Age of American piracy when lawless pirates plied the coastal waters of North America and beyond.

This is a virtual event and is free of charge; register here. Donations graciously accepted.

During this difficult period of COVID-19, we rely on your support more than ever. We are working to reschedule many of the programs that we have had to postpone, as well as develop new, online programs for you to enjoy and keep us connected. We hope, if you are able, that you will consider a donation to the museum. Thank you for your continued support.