Cocktails in the Colonies:

America's 250th Birthday at the Pearson Tavern

Join us for the party of the century (or two) on Saturday, October 3.

You won't have to imagine 18th century tavern life... on October 3rd, we'll relive it!

We've been telling stories about one special part of Cocktails in the Colonies. In honor of the original, we've selected a cask we're calling "Old J.P." from our friends at Privateer Rum.

Click away to watch! Bethany tells the story of Old J.P. in the video above, and below, check out a couple of familiar colonial gents labeling part of the very limited, 104-bottle run of rum!

Newburyport Art Association's 25th Art Auction

The Museum of Old Newbury has donated Julia Purinton's painting titled "Pearson Tavern, Byfield" to Newburyport Art Association's 25th Annual Art Auction. Online bidding has started!

The proceeds from this painting will benefit both organizations.

The Purinton family owns the house, which gives the painting both an interesting provenance and qualities rooted in true love and admiration for a place.

The Auction is on the same day as Cocktails in the Colonies, so please make time to attend both.

Revolutionary Newburyport is Alive at the National Archives UK!

We are proud to announce that executive director Bethany Groff Dorau will be a guest of The National Archives in Kew, England, representing our community at The Prize Papers of the American War of Independence, an international workshop on October 8 and 9, 2026.

The two-day gathering brings together scholars, archivists, curators, and historians from the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe to explore one of the richest surviving archives of the Revolutionary era. Bethany will present “Taken by 64 Guns: A Case Study of Dalton Marine Captain Offin Boardman” during the session “Loyalty, Deception and Survival at Sea,” and will participate in an international press panel.

Remembering Louis Somerby, “A Youth of Lovely Spirit…”

by Bethany Groff Dorau

The newsletter is LATE, a whole day late, but, dear reader, I think you will forgive me when you read the story of Louis Somerby. This week's donation of objects and letters kept by his family necessitated some deep research - the kind that can't be rushed.

"On December 14, 1863, 17-year-old Louis Somerby, who had already served one enlistment and been a Confederate prisoner, signed on for a three year enlistment with the 2nd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery company. As a historian, I note that for some who saw minimal action before being taken prisoner, there was some pride, perhaps even a desire for revenge, at stake. It does not seem to me a coincidence that after withstanding the bombardment of Union heavy artillery as a prisoner inside Fort Hudson, he signed onto a heavy artillery company. As a realist, I note the $325 bounty he received. 

As a parent, though, I cannot quite wrap my head around his father lying about his son’s age so he can enlist again...He went with his oldest son to the Ward Six recruiter in Newburyport, signed off on his being 18 years of age (chances are that anyone from Newburyport would have known this was a lie), and sent him off to war, and to his death."

Haley's Ice Cream: A Meaningful Addition

by Ashley Adams Serveiss, Collections Manager & Archivist

"Collecting contemporary history, like this Haley’s Ice Cream sign, is especially important because the present quickly becomes the past. Objects that may seem ordinary today—photographs, clothing, household items, technology, school materials, business records, and other everyday objects—can become valuable evidence of how people lived and how the community changed. By collecting these materials while they are still available, the Museum of Old Newbury is able to preserve a richer and more inclusive record for future generations..."

Upcoming Events

Something Is Always Cooking...

Betty’s Vegan Chili for Wimps

This is a re-print of my favorite fall/winter recipe, inspired by a decades-long friendship with my vegetarian friend and most excellent cook, Shelley, now also the Operations Manager at the MOON. Her nickname for me growing up was "Betty", so when I modified her chili recipe, I kept it in.

1 green pepper

2 medium yellow onions

1 zucchini

1 celery stalk

3 cloves garlic

2 cans fire roasted diced tomatoes

2 cans chili beans (I use kidney and black)

1 can V8

2 cups baby spinach

1 cup walnuts

1 cup smokehouse almonds

2 bay leaves

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoons cumin

2 teaspoons oregano

Note: if chili beans are pre-seasoned, adjust above accordingly. Also, you may add heat by adding jalapeños to the roasted veggies or substitute RO-TEL tomatoes for one can of the fire roasted tomatoes.

Chop into large pieces and roast or grill the pepper, onion, zucchini and celery until slightly charred on edges. Pop in a soup pot, add minced garlic and warm before adding the canned tomatoes and beans (do not rinse) and the can of V8. Add veggie stock if desired. Bring to a boil and simmer on low for 10 minutes. Put two cups (or whatever amount you want) baby spinach in a bowl and add 3 cups of the chili. Blend with immersion blender until smooth (looks like green baby food).

Return to the pot. Add one cup of fresh or frozen corn if desired. Heat through. Coarsely grind walnuts and almonds and add to pot. Remove from heat after stirring in the nuts and let sit for 15 min. Remove bay leaves, serve with Fritos or tortilla chips.

Enjoy!

Puzzle Me This...

Click the image to do the puzzle



This beautiful original painting by Julia Purinton of the Pearson Tavern can be yours if your bid is high enough! Click HERE to see all the amazing items that our friends over at the Newburyport Art Association have up for auction.

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