Essex Historical Society & Shipbuilding Museum

Since the 1630s, Essex has been known as a community that built ships. Over the years, more than 4000 wooden vessels were produced by the shipyards in this small town on the marsh. The Mission of the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum (EHSSM) is to provide a center for education, preservation, and study of traditional Essex shipbuilding and the Community that has supported it for over 300 years. The Essex Shipbuilding Museum, founded in 1976, is dedicated to the preservation of the industry and continued construction of these fine wooden vessels where they still play an integral part in our culture. We are nestled in the heart of Essex between an acre of land set aside in 1668 “for a yard to build vessels and employing workmen for this end” and an active working shipyard whose projects are interpreted through and incorporated into our programs. At the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum one can explore the rare and extensive archives of the local shipbuilding industry through antique shipwright tools, photographs, film and displays.