Steam Boat Regatta on the Merrimack

The Merrimack River was the United States first technology highway. Starting near Concord, New Hampshire and emptying into the Atlantic near Newburyport, Massachusetts.  The approximately 117-mile-long river passes through the great industrial centers of the 19th century. The mills in Concord and Nashua New Hampshire; Lowell and Lawrence Massachusetts are as significant as 20th and 21st century innovation centers such as Rt 128 and Silicon Valley.  Even Google doesn’t know when the last steamboats traversed the Merrimack.  After 24 August you will know if you will attend the regatta.  The IIAH is teaming with the Greater Lawrence Community Boating to put on this event.  The GLCBP (http://www.boatingprogram.com/) is also a non-profit organization “Situated in the heart of Lawrence, Massachusetts on the Merrimack River, the Greater Lawrence Community Boating Program provides safe, affordable boating opportunities to all residents of the Merrimack Valley” (their website).  They are particularly orientated toward children with several programs in sailing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle-boarding, crew team and rowing. The facility is adjacent to the Riverfront State Park.  The 2024 Regatta will be a 2-day event.  This year we will limit it to 6 boats.  Going forward, with what we plan on being an annual event, there will be a much larger number of boats and we will give rides to the public.  On Saturday the boats will be put in the water and captains will acclimate themselves to the river.  You will be able to see, and hear, the boats, however there will be limited access to the area. The boatyard will be open to the public.  There will be food available. The captains will be available to show you the boats and there will be demonstrations related to steamboats and other steam technology.  The regatta will be led by the IIAH’s own tugboat Rosie: