Welcome

The Boat Museum Society came into existence in 1971 and was formed by a group of waterway enthusiasts who were very concerned that the old working craft of the canals and rivers would completely disappear as the nature of the waterway system changed from freight transport to leisure use. The first public exhibition, staffed entirely by Society volunteers, was opened for the summer of 1976.

As the museum developed and expanded it became a fully professional organisation. It is now the National Waterways Museum operated by the Waterways Trust which also runs museums at Gloucester and Stoke Bruerne (see here for recent awards)

Keeping History Afloat: Traditional Boat Building

The Heritage Lottery Fund has granted £110,200
to The Waterways Trust to run a training scheme for skills relating to traditional boat building and the conservation of historic vessels - more here and watch the video here.

Now is your chance to increase your narrowboat handling skills and to crew Shad and Gifford on their travels. See here for more information

The restored Clayton tar boat, GIFFORD is owned and maintained by the Society. Each summer it attends events throughout the country towed by a horse or motor boat. This gives members the opportunity to learn the skills of operating a pair of boats.

The tunnel tug WORCESTER, restored with the aid of a Heritage Lottery Fund grant is also owned and operated by the Society.

Some Society members enjoy giving practical support. Jobs range from helping to care for GIFFORD and WORCESTER, demonstrating waterways related crafts, helping with restoration projects or interesting work in the museum archives. Other members enjoy talking to visitors about the boats and guiding parties of visitors around the museum

Whatever your interest or ability we can offer the satisfaction of being part of a team of friends helping to preserve the reality of waterway history.

Our newsletter RE:PORT appears four times a year and keeps members informed about the activities of the Society and the Boat Museum.

We also produce the Waterways Journal, an annual publication, containing historical articles and waterway research.

BMS is based at the National Waterways Museum , Ellesmere Port, (formerly the Boat Museum) but our members live all over the United Kingdom.

Membership is open to all people who are interested in working craft of the inland waterways and are willing to support and contribute towards the aims of the Boat Museum Society.

The Boat Museum Society meets monthly from September through to May, usually in the Rolt Centre at the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port .

Meetings range from talks, films and lectures by experts in various waterway topics to more informal social events.

Where to look...

For boat related activities that you can be involved with look at the The Heritage Boatyard

For information on opportunities for really making a difference look at the Volunteering opportunities page

For notices, reminders and announcements look at the News page - see what's new since the last time you looked

For information about the boats, especially Worcester and Gifford, look at the Boats page

For information about traditional crafts and skills look at the Tradition page

To find research resources and see what information is needed look at the Research page

For information about Waterways Journal, Re:Port and other booklets look at the Publications page

For links to all manner of waterway sites look at the Links page

For details of meetings and other events look at the Diary page

If you need information turn to the Contacts page