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Lowell's Boat Shop, a National Historic Landmark, has been a Greater Boston institution since the late 1700's and now offers boat building lessons, community use of facilities, as well as a general respite from city life. It is the oldest working boat shop in America, and the buildings tell stories of bygone eras, with clues to the past under layers of paint and carved in old beams. Lowell's Boat Shop was awarded a Partners in Preservation grant of $86,200 that allowed for structural repairs to the roof, windows, and heating system in addition to painting the exterior of the building. The project, finished in October 2009, was the first of the Greater Boston projects to complete.
What is the historical significance of this site?
Situated on the original property purchased in the late 1700's, Lowell's Boat Shop has endured through every U.S. presidency. Remnants of past generations are alive in the buildings, the oldest of which dates back to the 1860's. These buildings speak volumes of the rich history that lives on at Lowell's Boat Shop including ancient ship's knees supporting beams, centuries of paint layers coating the floors, and a cross-beam branded with yearly production figures from 1897 to 1919. Today, Lowell's Boat Shop proudly stands as a working museum and an icon of New England ingenuity.
What is the current and proposed use of the site?
A working museum, Lowell's Boat Shop continues to build dories and skiffs in the Lowell tradition. Classes in boatbuilding and related maritime subjects are offered throughout the year, and members and volunteers are engaged in keeping the waterfront open for community use. Lowell's Boat Shop also collaborates with many community groups like rowing clubs, Sea Scouts, and artists. Lowell's Boat Shop was awarded a Partners in Preservation grant of $86,200 that allowed for structural repairs to the roof, windows, and heating system in addition to painting the exterior of the building. The project, finished in October 2009, was the first of the Greater Boston projects to complete.
Why this site needs your continued support:
Lowell's Boat Shop brings the past into the present, as visitors are welcomed by the aroma of freshly sawn cedar and an aura of authenticity. As the oldest working boat shop in America, Lowell's Boat Shop is one of a kind. Lowell's Boat Shop was awarded a Partners in Preservation grant of $86,200 that restored its buildings, putting it on display for the benefit of its members and the community which it has served for so long.
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Lowell's Boat Shop is a National Historic Landmark.
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