Essex is a beautiful, historic town
with a number of attractions and
activity, much of it located right
here.

We are very fortunate to be located
adjacent to one of the most interesting
historic sites and exhibits in New
England, the Essex Shipbuilding
Museum. Other activities surrounding
our location include  Essex River
Basin Adventures and the Chamber
of Commerce information center.
Walk a few steps in any direction from here and you'll be browsing the many
antique shops Essex has become famous for.

You can also enjoy scenic views of the Essex River either by walking the
 causeway, (Main Street) or taking a scenic Essex River Cruise. The narrated
cruise takes you into the Essex River marine estuary, a breathtaking and
informative river adventure that Yankee Magazine
called "a command performance".
 

Welcome To One Of New England's
Most Historic Sites

Periwinkles Restaurant is adjacent to what is perhaps the
most historically significant area of Essex, a community
famous for wooden shipbuilding for nearly 300 years, and
one which has produced close to 4,000 wooden vessels
from as many as 16 different shipyards. When visiting
Gloucester and other historic New England seaports you
may visit exhibits about fishing and the "great age of sail".
Before the modern age of engine driven vessels, these were
the vessels that sailed the high seas in search of fish and
trade. Many of the most famous and successful were built
here in Essex, and how they were built represents an
important chapter in American, and local history.

The land immediately adjacent to the restaurant is public
land set aside by the town in 1668 "for a yard to build vessels
and to employ workmen for that end." Beyond this land lies
what was the Story Shipyard, established in 1813 and from
which came hundreds of the Gloucester fishing schooners as
well as the great racing schooners, including the legendary
"Gertrude L. Thebaud". Just across the river at the current
site of Perkins Marine, the "Vidette", the largest ship every
built in Essex was launched in 1881, an incredible 191
feet long.

The restaurant itself stands
on a site previously occupied
by a tidal powered saw mill.
At that time the bridge was a
wooden drawbridge, and
next to it was a dam and lock,
which powered two mills.
When the tide came in, the
water would be "locked" behind the dam, then allowed to
run  through a wheel back into the river, providing power
for the mills.

The Essex Shipbuilding Museum

Much of Essex history is involved with shipbuilding, and
this heritage is here for you to see and enjoy at the
neighboring Essex Shipbuilding Museum. The museum
can be reached by calling 978-768-7541.

We are indebted to Dana Story for providing this historic
summary. Dana Story was the owner of the Story Boat Yard
for many years and is regarded as the leading authority
of Essex shipbuilding history.

.

This monument next door is a tribute to the ship builders of
Essex.

The White Elephant Shop and many others are steps away.
 

River Cruise: Take an Essex River Cruise for the best view of the river.
 

As you drive around Essex be sure to meet some of the locals.
 

To help you enjoy your stay in and around
Cape Ann, here are some helpful links to area attractions;

www.seecapeann.com
Every hotel, attraction, restaurant and more-all on Cape Ann, plus information about Essex, Gloucester, Rockport and Manchester

Photography by Brian G. Beaudry - Site design by Tourist Marketing
Services, a division of Cape Ann Advertising & Design, Wenham, MA