66 Main Street
PO Box 277
Essex, MA 01929
978-768-7541
Essex Shipbuilding Museum Website »
The museum tells the story of the town of Essex where over 4000 wooden vessels have built since 1668. More two masted schooners have been built here than any where on earth. Our museum includes models and half models on loan from the Smithsonian. The process and artifacts integral to wooden boat building are displayed with an emphasis on hands-on learning and individual attention. The story of the racing schooner competitors to the Canadian schooner, Bluenose, is also told; with particular attention to the Gertrude Thebaud.
The museum yard includes exhibits devoted to construction. Frame-Up, the Steam Shed and the Trunnel Shed provide close-up views and experiences
ranging from the setting of the keep and ribs to the making of the wooden pegs used to hold the planks to the frame. The 1927 fishing vessel, Evelina Goulart, is on view in the yard.
The School House exhibits include the story of the schooner races with Canada and the models of Essex-built vessels on loan from the Smithsonian.
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