Essex Historical Society & Shipbuilding Museum - Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce

April 7, 2026

Who are you, and what is your business?

KD Montgomery, Executive Director of the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum in Essex. We are a waterfront museum and working shipyard, supported by a small staff and a strong community of volunteers.

Please provide a brief description of your company.

We offer hands-on experiences rooted in Essex’s shipbuilding history. Visitors can explore exhibits, see traditional boatbuilding in action, and take part in programs that connect craft, history, and the coastal environment.

What inspired you to start your business, and what keeps you going?

This is one of the few places on Cape Ann where a multi-century-old story is still unfolding. What keeps it going is seeing people step into that story and realize it belongs to them.

What aspect of your business are you most passionate about?

Creating meaningful, hands-on experiences. When someone uses a tool, steps onto the waterfront, or understands how a boat comes together, it stays with them.

Is there something unique about your business that you’d like to share that most people wouldn’t know about?

Every visit is different. You might arrive during a quiet moment or walk into a full day of activity, building, teaching, and working on the water.

What sets your business apart from other similar businesses?

We are not a static museum. You are not just observing history, you are encountering it as it happens. Taking part in it, and carrying our collective story into the future.

Do you have a recent accomplishment or achievement you’d like to highlight and share with others?

We have expanded our programs and are welcoming more families, students, and visitors into active, hands-on experiences at the site, doubling down on our environmental initiatives, and working as a unifying force in maritime culture on Cape Ann.

Do you have a goal you want your business to achieve in the next one, 5, or 10 years?

Increase visitation, grow year-round programming, and continue building a place where people come to learn, gather, and connect.

Why do you love the Greater Cape Ann region and doing business locally?

It is a place where history, landscape, and working culture are still deeply connected. We enjoy having a close-knit network of like-minded organizations to collaborate with!

As someone doing business in this area, how has or how can the Chamber help your business?

Visibility. Many people drive through Essex without realizing what is here. The more we can bring people through the doors, the stronger the impact.