Established in 1793, Lowell’s Boat Shop is the oldest operating boat shop in America.
“A National Historic Landmark and working museum, Lowell’s is dedicated to preserving and perpetuating the art and craft of wooden boat building.”
Gloucester Schooner Festival Sailing Opportunities on the Harvey Gamage |
Lowell’s Boat Shop is pleased to collaborate with Sailing Ships Maine (formerly Tall Ships Portland) and Ocean Passages to offer LBS Members several opportunities to sail aboard the Harvey Gamage during the 2019 Gloucester Schooner Festival!
The GLOUCESTER SCHOONER FESTIVAL honors the significance of the classic fishing schooner to the history of Gloucester, the oldest fishing port on the East Coast. Lowell’s Boat Shop played an important role in that history, supplying dories that stacked aboard Gloucester fishing schooners bound for the Grand Banks. Join us for this three day celebration as today’s Gloucester fishermen share their home port with the traditional vessels of an earlier era.
Summer's End Clambake!
Join us for this end of the season supper at Lowell’s! We’ll celebrate the last lingering days of summer and the Autumnal Equinox with cocktails by the river (G & T anyone?), a raw bar, and a traditional New England Lobster Clambake. Dinner will feature the culinary talents of Shindig Catering!
Doors open at 6:00!
Tickets are limited, so don’t wait!
Proceeds from this FUNdraiser support our 500 for 225 Campaign to restore our buildings and strengthen our educational programming.
The Great Rowing Adventure - for Adults!
8:30AM Thursday, September 12 through (approx.) 8:30PM Friday, September 13
Join us for the Great Rowing Adventure – the first collaborative rowing program between Lowell’s Boat Shop and the Essex Shipbuilding Museum! The program starts on Thursday, September 12, with a tour of Lowell’s Boat Shop, the oldest operating boat shop in America. After the tour we’ll head to the Joppa Flats ramp to board the rowing vessels, a Surf Dory built at Lowell’s and two Sharptown row boats built at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum. From Joppa (near the Northern tip of Plum Island), we’ll wend our way through the marsh and creeks of Plum Island Sound, with a stop for lunch and a swim. We’ll end the first day at Steep Hill Beach on the Crane Estate; a delicious meal will be provided in the Pine Grove, where we’ll camp for the night.
Early the next morning, after breakfast in the Pine Grove, we’ll get back into the boats to begin the magical journey through Fox Creek into Essex Bay, stopping to explore and to eat a picnic lunch along the way. By afternoon we’ll be closing in on the end of our journey as we make our way up the Essex River to the Essex Shipbuilding Museum to learn about the 350 year tradition of shipbuilding in Essex. The finale of the trip is dinner at a local Essex restaurant.
Prior rowing and camping experience is not required, our trained staff will show you all you need to know. Our staff is also lifeguard, first aid, CPR, and U.S. Coast Guard certified.
You can be a member of either organization, or even both, receive the member discount!
Included in the price:
- Guided tours of Lowell’s Boat Shop and Essex Shipbuilding Museum
- Rowing tour of Plum Island Sound and Essex Bay – two days (life jackets provided, but you are welcome to bring your own)
- Camp site at the Crane Estate (we can help you find camping equipment)
- Dinner on the first night; breakfast, lunch and dinner on the second day (excluding drinks at dinner)
- Transportation between Essex Shipbuilding Museum, Lowell’s Boat Shop, and Joppa Flats
Member (of either organization) price: $450
Nonmember price: $500
Check Out Our Summer Programs!
We are looking forward to a summer of great programs! Take a look below at our openings:
- Castaways Session I
- Castaways Session II
- Build Your Own Pond Yacht
- Rowing on the Mighty Merrimack
- Marsh Madness
We’re also collaborating with Maritime Gloucester and SummerQuest at the Crane Estate:
- Maritime Explorers! (With Gloucester Maritime)
- The Great Rowing Adventure! (with SummerQuest at the Crane Estate)
Custom Built Boats
Repair and Restoration Services
Customize Your Boat
Lowell’s is proud to offer a variety of classes for all levels of experience – from the beginner to the experienced builder. Our class offerings can be found here.
Our 2018-2019 Apprenticeship is underway!
Keep an eye on our current projects page for updates.
Thank You to Our Sponsors:
