Newburyport Interpretive Panel Program

Newburyport’s rich history is celebrated through a network of 38 interpretive panels thoughtfully placed throughout the city, many of them along the scenic Clipper City Rail Trail. Designed to educate and inspire both residents and visitors, these panels create an immersive, place-based storytelling experience that connects Newburyport’s past with its present-day community.

The initiative began with four panels in Brown Square—a small public green space in downtown Newburyport established by Moses Brown, a wealthy New England merchant. These first installations highlighted the lives and legacies of Brown and William Lloyd Garrison, a prominent abolitionist and founder of The Liberator. Pairing archival photographs and compelling narratives with elegant typography and distinctive color palettes, the panels brought these historic figures to life in their authentic setting.

Since then, the City of Newburyport has expanded the program to explore additional aspects of the city’s diverse history and ecology. Most recently, we developed a series of 11 panels for the Newburyport Black History Initiative, exploring the lives and contributions of Black residents across generations. To connect the experience, we designed a map and brochure identifying panel locations and linking them through a cohesive walking path—encouraging visitors to explore Newburyport on foot or by bike while engaging with its layered stories.

By integrating research, narrative, and design, the project transforms public spaces into open-air museums, fostering curiosity, pride, and deeper connections to place. The result is an enduring resource for education, tourism, and community identity.