2024 Annual Burning of the Ships Commemoration

May 11, 2024

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

2024 Annual Burning of the Ships Commemoration

Essex’s Annual Burning of the Ships Day commemorates one of the worst events in the town’s history- the fateful night in April, 1814 when a company of Royal Marines landed at the foot of Main Street and proceeded to burn all of the ships moored and being built on the ways around town.

The highlight of the celebration is a parade of fife and drum corps down Main St., led by Essex’s own Sailing Masters of 1812. The parade will start at 2:00 p.m. at the Essex Town Hall and head down Main Street to the Connecticut River Museum.

The Connecticut River Museum will commemorate the event by offering a free educational program on the Museum green for all ages! Step back in time to the colonial period and try your hand at the trades that supported the shipbuilding industry along the River.