Antique & Classic Boat Show July 9 at River Museum

The Southern New England Chapter of The Antique and Classic Boat Society will present the 27th annual Mahogany Memories boat show on the grounds and docks of the Connecticut River Museum on Saturday, July 9 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.

The show will feature numerous examples of the finest classic wooden and fiberglass boats commonly seen in this area in the last century. Boats built by Chris Craft, Century, Lyman, Gar Wood, Elco, and many more will be showcased. Also for this year, boats of the 1950s will be the featured marquee class, representing a time of post-war prosperity and social and economic growth in the country that made the boating hobby affordable and accessible to everyone. The decade started with runabouts and utilities with large, underpowered engines and blonde decks to boats manufactured at the end of the decade with high-powered engines, fins with aerospace-inspired designs, specialty ski boats, and even the advent of new materials such as fiberglass and the wider use of aluminum.

Boat owners will be on hand to talk about their boats, exchange ideas, and share the joys of using and preserving these beautiful "woodies" and other memorable classics. In addition, marine supplies, clothing, and boat merchandise will be available for purchase and a raffle will be held at the end of the show. This year's sponsors include Antique Boat Center, Ashcroft Inc., CCJ, Clark Group, Connecticut River Museum, Essex Savings Bank, Hagerty Collector Boat Insurance, Heritage Marine Insurance, ki Advertising, Middle Cove Marina, New England Chrome Plating, Pusser's Navy Rum, Schick-Wilkinson Sword, and Soundings.

The Connecticut River Museum is located at 67 Main Street on the historic Essex waterfront. For more information on the Antique and Classic Boat Show and other Connecticut River Museum programs and events, visit www.ctrivermuseum.org or call 860-767-8269.