The Kingston Public Library Local History Collections is hosting an open house on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Adams Center (33 Summer St., Kingston). It will feature the exciting new exhibit, A History of Shipbuilding in Kingston Massachusetts.
This new exhibit features many historic archival materials from the Library’s Local History Collections. The exhibit primarily focuses on Kingston’s historic shipbuilding industry and tradition, and the Town’s rich maritime history. There is an emphasis on historic Kingston boatbuilders and specific vessels built in Kingston along the Jones River. Some of the prolific Kingston shipbuilders from the early period of Kingston’s boatbuilding history featured in this exhibit include: the Drew Family, Joseph Holmes, and Lysander Bartlett. Additionally, the Delano Family, who owned a vast number of Kingston-built ships, and were heavily involved in the local shipping industry are featured in the exhibit. Some of the historic Kingston-built vessels from the early period highlighted include: the bark Turbo, the schooners Leonidas and Cordova, and the massive ship Herculean. Also, this exhibit will feature the Kingston built Revolutionary War ship, brig Independence, which is on the Kingston Town Seal.
This exhibit will also feature the later period of Kingston’s shipbuilding history, which focused more on smaller ships and pleasure sailboats, like the famous catboats built by George W. Shiverick and Kingston lobster boats built by Edward Ransom and Nathan Watson. Lastly, this exhibit will highlight Kingston’s shipbuilding legacy with the Kingston Yacht Club and recent restoration projects of Kingston boats.
This new exhibit will be up and viewable Wednesday, Sept. 16 through Friday, Sept. 30 at the Adams Center. There will be a talk and presentation on the exhibit by the Archivist on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The exhibit hours are: Mondays 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesdays 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Thursdays 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and by appointment.
For more information contact Nick Cotoulas at ncotoulas@kingstonma.gov or 781-585-0517 x6277.