459 MAIN ST AMESBURY, MA 01913 Get Directions
459 MAIN ST AMESBURY, MA 01913 Get Directions
Established in 1793, Lowell's Boat Shop is the oldest continuously operating boat shop in America and is cited as the birthplace of the legendary fishing dory. Located on the North bank of the Merrimack River, skilled craftsmen continue to build wooden boats in the Lowell tradition on the property purchased by founder Simeon Lowell in the 1700s.
The first several of the seven generations of Lowells will be remembered for the origin, development and production of the ?dory? and the boats that followed. Succeeding generations led the business through changing times, and was ultimately sold the Shop to the Odell family in 1976. Conceiving new boat models for rowing, racing and motoring, Jim Odell revived the industry and commenced boat restoration and formal boat building classes at the Shop. Jim had the wisdom and forethought to seek National historic recognition. As a result, the Boat Shop was preserved, protected and sold to the Newburyport Maritime Society.
Lowell?s Boat Shop was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988 and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1990. It has been run as a non-profit working museum since 1994 and, in January 2007, the Boat Shop was purchased by Lowell?s Maritime Foundation. Dedicated to preserving and perpetuating the art and craft of wooden boat building, Lowell?s continues to build its full line of dories and skiffs for oar, sail or power. Innovative educational programs and exhibits are offered to the public throughout the year, and rowing is available seasonally.
© Dun & Bradstreet, Inc. 2025. All rights reserved.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.