What’s Going on at the Museum
Introducing our New Museum Manager: Mindy Mitrano
The Museum of Printing has named long-time volunteer Mindy Mitrano to the newly created role of Museum Manager. The move is one of a series of actions by the Haverhill, Massachusetts-based museum as it enters its next half century of telling the rich story of print and other forms of communications.Mitrano, who also lives in Haverhill, began her association with the Museum in 2018 as the librarian. Her other roles at the Museum have included gift shop curation, event management, and the monthly Book Arts Open Studio.
In addition to her work with the Museum, Mitrano is a professionally trained graphic designer with a foundation in fine arts. Originally from the Finger Lakes region of New York, she’s known locally as Mindy Paper. She teaches a variety of classes at her combination art studio and cookie bakery, often integrating watercolor, typography, cut paper manipulation, letterpress printing, paper-making, or book binding.
In her new role as Museum Manager, Mitrano will oversee day-to-day operations of the Museum. She will also coordinate the work of its dedicated core of volunteers as well as outreach to schools, non-profits, and others. “Mindy has long been an active and valuable member of the Museum of Printing community,” said Museum of Printing President Frank Romano, who helped to found the Museum and is one of the nation’s leading experts on printing and related topics. “She will help the Museum continue to grow and expand its important work.”
Mindy Mitrano Is a 2026 ECCF Creative County Changemaker!
The Museum of Printing is delighted to announce that Museum Manager Mindy Mitrano has been selected by the Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) to be a part of the 2026 ECCF Creative County ChangeMakers, an alliance of artists, nonprofit and municipal leaders, and small business owners who are collaboratively driving community change inclusive of arts and culture. For details, see: https://www.eccf.org/blog/2026/03/12/residents-selected-for-eccfs-creative-county-changemakers-program/Saturday Workshops & Events Spring 2026
On any given Saturday/Open Day there could be a public event in the Meeting Room, in the Community Studio, or on the Exhibit Floor. Depending on the content of the event (workshop, lecture or demo), there could be more than one in a day.
Click the red links for more info and to register for workshops & events.
April
- Saturday 4
- Letterpress on Fabric Workshop
Sign up here→ - Saturday 11
- Book Arts Open Studio
Sign up→ - Saturday 18
- Lecture: “Printing Revolution” with Andy Volpe, 1 pm
- Saturday April 25
- Garage & Book Sale, 10–4
May
- Saturday 2
- Letterpress Intro+ Workshop
Sign up here→ - Saturday 9
- Book Arts Open Studio
Sign up→ - Saturday 23
- Rustic Paper Making for Adults, 11 am to 3 pm
• $95 per person Sign up here→
June
- Saturday 6
- Letterpress Intro+ Workshop
Sign up here→ - Saturday 13
- Book Arts Open Studio
Hidden in a closet, a 200-year-old piece of Boston’s printing past emerges
Mitchel Ahern, the director of operations at the Museum of Printing (left), and Peter Corriveau, the assistant director of operations at the museum, lift the press into the back of a truck for transport. Lane Turner/Globe Staff
Stored and forgotten in a cramped closet in a South End basement, a 200-year-old printing press — 600 pounds of iron, wood, and plenty of dust — lurched recently toward a new chapter in its long and mysterious life.
Hauled onto makeshift dollies at Franklin Cummings Tech, a two-year trade college, this throwback innovation from the early 19th century attracted a gaggle of admirers as it rolled toward a moving van parked on nearby, cobblestone alley.
The press, built by Adam Ramage of Philadelphia in about 1815, is among only two or three believed to remain in existence, according to Mitchel Ahern, operations director at the Museum of Printing in Haverhill.
As Ahern helped extract the machine, broad smiles and compliments from movers and school staff greeted the press as it slowly emerged from its hideaway.
“Very cool,” cooed Ahern, who said the press willreceive star treatment among the museum’s displays of printing’s centuries-long evolution.
“It’s really exciting to see a press like this pop up,” Ahern said. “In its day, this was printing technology. Our mission is to keep this kind of thing out of landfills.”
Its recent discovery at Franklin Cummings Tech, which is moving to Roxbury for the spring semester after 117 years in the South End, is a reminder of the school’s close association with Benjamin Franklin, the Boston-born printer and Founding Father whose generosity led directly to the college’s creation.
Bible Bound
International Juried Exhibition
May 1 – September 1, 2026Reception + Award Ceremony
May 9, 2026, 2 – 4pmThe Bible has had a profound impact on humanity, literature, art, history, and culture for over 2,000 years. As one of the oldest and most influential texts, it has shaped civilizations, religious practices, and cultural expressions. From illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages to Johannes Gutenberg’s first printed Bible in 1455, the Bible has played a key role in the development of printing and bookmaking.
The Museum of Printing in Haverhill, Mass. invited artists to create miniature artists books inspired by the Bible, reinterpreting its meaning through form, materials, scale, and various binding techniques. The exhibition highlights the Bible’s enduring impact and is displayed alongside the new “Rare Bible Room,” which features over 100 rare Bibles and 30 Bible leaves.
Curator: Ania Gilmore
Jurors: Ania Gilmore and Frank RomanoCongratulations to all artists invited for the Bible Bound International Juried Exhibition!
Frank Romano has been elected to membership in the American Antiquarian Society
Museum of Printing President Frank Romano has been elected to membership in the American Antiquarian Society (AAS), a 213-year-old national research library and community of learners dedicated to discovering and sharing a deeper understanding of the American past. Frank joins a distinguished roster of more than 1,200 members from forty-eight states, the District of Columbia, and five other countries.
Download our Letterpress Presses poster (pdf, 1.8 MB)
Download our Image Carrier Poster (pdf, 684 KB)
Programs are supported in part by grants from the Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Merrimac, Middleton, North Andover, West Newbury Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
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