The Newburyport Maritime Society

The Newburyport Maritime Society ("NMS") is a tax-exempt educational organization founded in 1968 and funded by contributions from its members, foundations and other sources. The NMS maintains two historic sites in the Lower Merrimack Valley, the Custom House Maritime Museum in Newburyport, MA and Lowell's Boat Shop in Amesbury, MA. The mission of NMS is to preserve and promote the maritime heritage of the lower Merrimack Valley. NMS stewardship of Lowell's Boat Shop is an integral part of this mission. The NMS and Lowell's Boat Shop Trust are working toward the integration and growth of vibrant educational and crafts programs at Lowell's and at the Maritime Museum.

NMS acquired Lowell's Boat Shop in 1994 with assistance from the National Park Service, the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the Trust for Public Land, Lowell's Boat Shop Trust and a group of dedicated, preservation-minded individuals. This collaboration led to the purchase of the historic buildings, as well as the acquisition of many historic artifacts including boat patterns and specialized tools. In 1996 we completed an extensive structural rehabilitation of the boat shop which was made possible in large part due to a $365,000 grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission. This provides a firm base for continued operations for many years to come.

Newburyport Maritime Society