Education Programs
Empowering Through Education: The Student Shipbuilders Program
At the Essex Shipbuilding Museum, we're not just preserving history, we're actively shaping the future!
The Student Shipbuilders Program:
Our collaboration with the Topsfield Vocational Academy serves middle and high school students from the greater Cape Ann area who require social, emotional, and behavioral interventions. This program equips them with essential life skills to thrive in both their personal lives and future careers.
Our Student Shipbuilders gather in the Museum Shipyard two days a week throughout the academic year and hold a 6 week session during the summer.
In this unique program, our students learn traditional shipbuilding skills, but it extends far beyond that. They embrace problem-solving, teamwork, time management, effective communication, and the basics of dressing and preparing for work in the trades.
Past projects include crafting Banks Dories for the Schooner ADVENTURE, a traditional Clamming Skiff (funded generously by the Essex County Community Foundation), a Ben Garvey Designed Skiff (built during the COVID 19 Pandemic), and a Caribbean Skiff.
Celebrating Heritage Through the Restoration of "EGRET":
This year, we embark on a particularly special journey. We're restoring "EGRET," a 1983 Brad Story-built Catboat, generously donated by the King family of Essex. This catboat carries a unique and often overlooked story within the annals of Essex shipbuilding.
During a time when modern fishing practices eclipsed the wooden schooner industry, the craftsmen of Essex remained steadfast in their commitment to the art of building wooden boats. "EGRET" stands as an enduring testament to their unwavering dedication and unparalleled skill.
This year's project is not just about restoration; it's a reclamation of history. "EGRET" will serve as an invaluable educational resource for our student shipbuilders, offering them a window into a period of maritime history that has not been thoroughly explored.
Your generosity has paved the way for us to embark on this ambitious restoration project, and we are thrilled to witness the transformation of "EGRET" under the skillful hands of our young shipbuilders.
As we celebrate the heritage of Essex shipbuilding, "EGRET" takes its place as a symbol of our dedication to preserving our maritime legacy and passing it on to future generations.
Join us in celebrating the resilience and growth of our Student Shipbuilders and the restoration of "EGRET." Together, we empower the next generation with the tools they need to navigate life's seas.
Please donate today and be a part of this incredible journey.
Students Shipbuilders prepare to launch a fully rebuilt Caribbean Skiff June 2022.
Shipbuilder Jeff Lane and Student Shipbuilders take “TOWING VESSEL ATLAS” on sea trials.
Hands-on learning activities are the core of the Museum's Education Programs.
Unlock Learning Adventures through Workshops, Lectures, and Custom Educational Experiences
8th Grade Teachers row a Student Built Boat - Part of the monumental 2 boats in 2 days workshop series in collaboration with O’Maley Middle School
Beyond our Student Shipbuilders program, the Essex Shipbuilding Museum extends an open invitation to students eager to embark on their own educational journeys. Discover a world of hands-on workshops, on the water experiences, enlightening lectures, captivating demonstrations, and engaging events, all infused with educational richness.
Our periodic adult workshops provide hands-on exploration of maritime heritage and traditional shipbuilding techniques. Immerse yourself in the artistry of Essex shipbuilding and gain practical skills that connect you to our coastal community's history.
A finished Essex Salt Marsh Dory from an August 2023 Workshop
Delve deeper into maritime history through our enlightening lectures and demonstrations. Our experts share their knowledge, offering you fresh insights into the industrial artistry that continues to shape Essex’s cultural landscape.
Standing room only for a lecture on the Great Marsh by Guest Speaker Peter Phippen
But we don't stop at established programs. We understand that every group is unique. We are open to collaboration, designing bespoke educational programming tailored to specific needs and interests. Whether you're a group of lifelong learners, friends seeking a unique experience, a homeschool group, private school or an organization with specific learning goals, we can craft an educational adventure that's uniquely yours.
At the Essex Shipbuilding Museum, we're committed to making maritime education accessible, engaging, and unforgettable for learners of all ages. Contact us today, and let's discuss how we can shape an educational experience that meets your group's needs and sparks a lasting passion for maritime history.
Over 4,000 ships and counting …
…have been built in Essex over the course of a 350 year history. Here at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum our mission is to share that history and carry on the building traditions with adults and students of all ages.