Burning of the Ships Commemoration at Connecticut River Museum

The town of Essex will commemorate a pivotal moment in its history with the 2025 Annual Burning of the Ships Commemoration on Saturday, May 10. This annual event marks the night in April 1814 when British Royal Marines landed at the foot of Main Street and set fire to the ships under construction and moored in the harbor, dealing a major blow to the shipbuilding industry in the region.

The highlight of the commemoration is a lively parade down Main Street featuring fife and drum corps, including Essex’s own Sailing Masters of 1812. The parade steps off at 2:00 pm from Essex Town Hall and proceeds to the cul-de-sac in front of the Connecticut River Museum. There, attendees can enjoy performances by participating fife and drum corps and a presentation by the Silver Dolphins honor guard.

The Connecticut River Museum is located at 67 Main Street, Essex, Connecticut. For more information, visit ctrivermuseum.org or contact the museum directly.