EXHIBITS at 66 Main Street & Gift Shop are OPEN through the 2025 HOLIDAY SEASON!
WEEKENDS ONLY
2025 General Admission Rates
Members: Complimentary Admission
Individual: $15
Student, Senior, Veteran: $10
Kids under 5yrs: Free
Care Card: Free
CARE CARD - 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.
Fall 2025 Museum Hours:
Saturday 11a-3p
Sunday 11a-3p
(While the docents aren’t in, there are still students, volunteers and staff on site engaging in important mission based work)
Visit the “Happenings” tab on our website for Programming: events, classes, speaker engagements, workshops and other upcoming events.
Subscribe to our Newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated!
Parking on site for museum visitors!
Address & Phone
(978) 768-7541
Email: office@essexshipbuilding.org
Address: 66 Main St, Essex, MA 01929
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 Saturdays & Sundays, throught the 2025 Holiday Season.
Our Gift Shop is open Saturdays & Sundays through the Holidays, stocked with unique gifts for the mariner, handy-person, and inventors in your life. A little something for everyone.
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.
Visit the “Happening” tab on our website for our Fall & Winter Programming:events, classes, speaker engagements, workshops and other upcoming events.
Private Tours are filled for the 2025 SEASON,
Now Booking Private Tours for 2026 SEASON May-Oct
Private tours can be scheduled for $25 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