Preserving History: Bristol Marine’s Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor Partners with Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
Bristol Marine and the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum have partnered to ensure the historic preservation and restoration of the Eleanor, a replica of one of the iconic ships involved in the Boston Tea Party of 1773. This collaboration exemplifies a shared dedication to preserving maritime history and educating the public about America’s fight for independence.
“Our team here in Boothbay is very excited to work with the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum and their ship, the Eleanor,” said Dennis Gunderson, General Manager at Bristol Marine’s Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor. “We are uniquely suited to a project of this type. Traditional boat building is alive and well here at The Shipyard. Our talented team of shipwrights and carpenters have a proven track record of delivering large-timber projects to a high level of quality.”
“Having celebrated the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party last December, we have seen a major influx of visitors to the museum, thanks in large part to this significant milestone and increased attention on all historic 250th anniversaries coming up,” says Shawn P. Ford, Executive Director for the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. “The Eleanor, one of the vessels at the museum that our guests get to board and from which they throw tea into Boston Harbor, is at the point of needing some necessary repair and maintenance. We were looking for a marine service expert to oversee her restoration and care and we were thrilled to find Bristol Marine. We have been impressed with their knowledge, decades of experience, attention to detail, and dedication to historical authenticity. We continue to be impressed with their enthusiasm for this project, and we know that the Eleanor is in great hands. This spring, the Eleanor will return in top condition for future visitors and to help us continue to tell the story of the Boston Tea Party to millions of visitors from around the world.”
Having the opportunity to restore old wooden ships is amazing, but even more so are the people that make it all happen,” says Eric Graves, Service Manager of Bristol Marine Boothbay Harbor. “The team at the Tea Party Museum has been great to work with and are so passionate about sharing history with people from all over the world. The team here at The Shipyard loves the history and has the incredible skills to keep wooden ships alive. It’s great forming long-lasting partnerships fueled by the love of these vessels.”
By leveraging Bristol Marine’s expert craftsmanship and full-service facilities in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, this partnership ensures that the Eleanor continues to serve as a living symbol of revolution and resilience, connecting modern audiences to an era that shaped the nation. Bristol Marine and the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum are bringing history to life, one plank at a time.
