2024 Tour Season starts on Thursday, May 30th!

Fun for the whole family! A historic working shipyard with museum exhibits, interactives, scenic views, an eclectic gift shop and more. The birthplace of the American Fishing Schooner, full of artifacts and stories from the oldest workboats to the golden age of sail, all the way to modern day! A little something for everyone. Open to the public June - October.

Year round programs and events.

DURING THE OFF SEASON, THE MUSEUM MAY BE CLOSED FOR PUBLIC TOURS BUT THE SITE IS STILL OCCUPIED BY EDUCATION PROGRAMS, VOLUNTEER GROUPS AND OTHER PROGRAMS AND EVENTS.

PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BRINGING A GROUP DURING OFF SEASON HOURS.

(ARTIST GROUP OUTDOOR SITE RENTALS ARE PARTICULARLY POPULAR FOR PLEIN AIR PAINTING!)

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Address & Phone

(978) 768-7541

Email: office@essexshipbuilding.org
Address: 66 Main St, Essex, MA 01929

2023 Admission Rates

Members: FREE

Individual: $15

Student, Senior, Veteran: $10

Kids under 5yrs: Free

At the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum (EHSSM), we uphold the belief that access to culture plays a vital role in public health, committing ourselves to make our cultural programming accessible to all members of our community, as we recognize that financial barriers should never impede participation. That's why we're thrilled to be part of the Mass Cultural Council's Card to Culture program, a collaborative effort with the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Department of Public Health's WIC Nutrition Program, and the Massachusetts Health Connector, alongside hundreds of cultural organizations.

We proudly offer free general admission to EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders, ensuring that all community members have the opportunity to explore and engage with our rich maritime heritage and educational offerings.

Private Tours

Private tours can be scheduled for $20 per person.

Minimum of 10 visitors.

We can tailor the tour to your group’s needs, the average tour is about 1 - 1.5 hours in length. For more information and to plan a group tour please contact us at office@essexshipbuilding.org or fill out the form below with “TOUR” in the subject line.

Call: 978-768-7541