As spring begins, a wealth of interesting and unusual historic working museums opens or expands their activities. One of the museums I enjoy is the Newburyport Custom House Museum, which I helped last year and revisit periodically.

Robert Mills, architect of the Washington Monument and U.S. Treasury Building, designed the Custom House, which was built in 1835 to facilitate growing overseas trade and tax collection of imported goods on the waterfront. The vaulted ceilings and cantilevered staircases are hallmarks of his work.

This past business growth, entrepreneurship, and yes technology that existed in the past continues in the seedbed of local companies in both technology and the supply chain economy.

And returning to the theme of blending the old and the new, Sunday was the Second Annual Marquand Library High Tea, at the Museum.  http://www.customhousemaritimemuseum.org/