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The Legacy continues…
Step into the world of local culture and heritage and witness the transformative power of our programs at the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum (EHSSM). Through initiatives like the Student Shipbuilders program with the Topsfield Vocational Academy (TVA), we have seen incredible success stories unfold.
While building and restoring boats and ships using traditional Essex techniques we work to foster a close-knit community of skilled craftspeople. This holistic approach to shipbuilding has endured for centuries in this place. With your help we can continue to cultivate the enduring connection to ships and the sea that has proven magic to so many.
Our programs have nurtured talents, ignited passions, and created a lasting legacy of craftsmanship and cultural preservation. Join us on this journey of success and be part of our thriving maritime community.
“More Than a Museum”
Here at EHSSM we focus on craft and cultivation of culture with a holistic approach. There’s a lot that can be learned through hard work, problem solving, and doing things the old fashioned way. We aren’t just building boats & ships, we are also building character & community.
TVA Students sailing the LEWIS H STORY in the Essex River
Jude M. painting epoxy onto the fiberglass work on “Towing Vessel Atlas” the Ben Garvey skiff the Student Shipbuilders built as a Museum workboat and chaseboat.
Jude M. fitting the rails on a skiff.
Testimonials
Here I share my personal experience as a student from TVA working at the ESM student
boatbuilding program.
As someone who has worked in design & construction from a young age, I knew I'd enjoy the boat
building program in Essex. When I first came down to the museum in 2019 to give the program a try,
we were just starting to build the Garvey, a plywood constructed skiff that would be used by the
museum. We learned the process of boat design - everything from drafting plans to woodworking
techniques, and the importance of attention to detail. I quickly realized that boat building was not
just about assembling pieces; it required patience, precision, and problem-solving skills - all of
which are useful life skills to have no matter what career path you go down!
As we progressed, we were faced with numerous challenges--fitting the wood together seamlessly,
shaping and sanding with precision, and understanding the technical aspects of boat construction.
However, with perseverance and the support of Jeff and Mark (our teachers), we overcame
obstacles and moved forward to create a masterpiece of a boat which we launched into the Essex
River in June of 2021.
We always try to go out for boat rides when the weather is nice in Essex, although it always proves
difficult to convince Mark and Jeff that a boat ride is more important than getting work done! But I
do suppose there's a lesson in there… discipline, patience, and hard work will always pay off in the
end.
Now, I am a senior at TVA who will be graduating next week! (Crazy, right?!) Wow, time really does
go by. And would you believe it? We are launching another boat in Essex. 2 years after launching the
Garvey, we have built another masterpiece - this time for a customer (friend of the museum). This
boat proved to be an incredible challenge to build as we had to copy the design of the customers
old boat, which had fallen apart, and rebuild it brand new. With many obstacles to overcome and
many complicated brain wrenching problems, we were able to use our knowledge and problem
solving skills we acquired to build a fantastic boat that will provide many years of enjoyment to its
soon to be owner.
It is only my hope that this program will be able to continue for more and more students who have
an interest in not only boat building, but in acquiring the important life skills you need to be
successful and thrive.
Jude M. - TVA Student/Boatbuilder.
“The sea is a desert of waves, a wilderness of water.”
— Langston Hughes
Students row Sharptown Barge dories built by 8th graders during our 2 boats in 2 days workshop series.