Rolling on a river: A visit to Lowell’s Boat Shop & Museum

Lowell’s Boat Shop has sat comfortably on the north bank of the Merrimack River for over 200 years. It remains both a boat building operation and a working museum. Its primary product then and now is the legendary fishing dory which was integral to Gloucester’s fishing fleet in the days of sail. It remains America’s oldest operating boat shop. Visiting Lowell’s Boat Shop & Museum in Amesbury is an enjoyable step back in time.

My museum visit was informal and informative. Boats under construction included a launch destined for Ireland and a Haven 12 1/2 sailboat. I was able to ask questions of the craftsmen about the boats they were working on as we walked through the shop, and my tour guide Patty was knowledgable and patiently fielded all of my questions. We stopped by a separate workspace designed for boatbuilding classes where we found a teacher preparing for an after-school session with younger mariners who are learning to build their own boats from master craftsmen.

Lowell’s Boat Museum is located on the river level

Heading down a narrow flight of stairs takes you to a number of displays and an informative video that tells the story of the boatbuilding industry in Amesbury and its importance to New England fisheries. There you can also admire examples of Lowell’s Boat Shop’s craftsmanship from different eras.

Admission is a reasonable $5 for a self-guided tour, and $8 includes a guide. There are discounts for seniors and kids under 12 enter free. If you’re visiting Amesbury or Newburyport on Boston’s North Shore, consider a visit to this fascinating example of living history.

Lowell’s Boat Shop & Museum
459 Main Street
Amesbury, MA 01913
(978) 834-0050