NEWSLETTER
Clayton, N.Y. (April 28, 2025) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater boating museum, officially opens its doors for the 2025 season on Saturday, May 3rd, with full programming beginning May 24th. Located in the heart of the Thousand Islands in Clayton, New York, ABM welcomes visitors seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Indigenous Peoples Day. Full seasonal programming kicks off on Memorial Day weekend, including the return of Ride the River boat tours, guided walk-throughs of the historic houseboat La Duchesse, and limited access to the off-site visible storage, the Don Doebler Storage Facility.
2025 Admission Rates
ABM continues to offer four admission packages, with full details available at abm.org along with online ticketing. Daily admission starts at $15 for adults, with discounts available for seniors, youth, families, and military personnel (active duty, retired, reserve, and dependents). Members receive free admission with memberships starting at $50. Admission tickets are not required to shop the Museum Store.
New Exhibits
This season brings a fresh wave of exhibits, events, and educational programming we can’t wait for you to experience.
Racing the Wind – Haxall Building, Homer L. Dodge Gallery
Set your sights on the thrilling evolution of sailing in Racing the Wind, a new exhibition that charts the rise of sailboat racing from elite sport to vibrant community pastime.
For centuries, wind-powered vessels carried humanity across oceans. But as steam and motorized boats took over in the 19th century, sailing found new life as a sport. What began as a pursuit for Europe and North America's wealthy yacht clubs quickly expanded in the 20th century, as innovations in boatbuilding made sailing and racing—more accessible than ever.
Innovations in Design – Cleveland E. Dodge Memorial Launch Building, Lower Level
Explore the intersection of creativity and craftsmanship in Innovations in Design, a new exhibit highlighting the design breakthroughs that have shaped the history of recreational boating.
Every curve, material, and choice in a boat’s construction tells a story of innovation, whether driven by a need for speed, improved handling, greater power, or striking aesthetics. Boatbuilders have long balanced function with form, making deliberate decisions that influence how a vessel performs and how it’s perceived.
2025 Event Schedule
May 28 – Volunteer Meet & Mix (5:30 pm – 7:30 pm)
June 7 – 1000 Islands Family Free Day
June 7-14 – Great International Steamboat Flotilla Visits ABM
June 28 – 1000 Islands Concours d’Elegance
July 3 – Community Shore Dinner with Clayton Guides Association w/ Fireworks Viewing
Aug 1-3 – 61st Annual Antique Boat Show & Auction
September 15 – 19 – ACBS Vintage Boat Week
September 19 – 20 – ACBS 50th International Boat Show
October 11 – Small Craft Festival – Part of I Love NY Path Through History
2025 ABM Educational Programming Schedule
Visit abm.org/education for more information and to register.
Intro to Small Craft:
§ Session #1: June 25 – 27 | 10 am – 12 pm
§ Session #2: June 30 – July 2 | 10 am – 12 pm
§ Session #3: July 23 – 25 | 10 am – 12 pm
§ Session #4: July 28 – 30 | 10 am – 12 pm
§ Session #5: August 6 – 8 | 10 am – 12 pm
Beginning Sailing:
§ Session #1: June 25 – 27 | 10 am – 12 pm
§ Session #2: June 30 – July 2 | 10 am – 12 pm
§ Session #3: July 23 – 25 | 10 am – 12 pm
§ Session #4: July 28 – 30 | 10 am – 12 pm
§ Session #5: August 6 – 8 | 10 am – 12 pm
Intermediate Sailing:
§ Session #1: July 9 – 11 & July 14 – 16 | 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm
§ Session #2: August 6 – 8 & August 11 – 13 | 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Open/Adult Sailing:
§ Session #1: July 9 – 11 | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
§ Session #2: July 14 – 16 | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
§ Session #3: July 23 – 25 | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
§ Session #4: July 28 – 30 | 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs: June 26 – 27
Something Fishy River Rate Day Camp: July 10 | 10:30 am – 2 pm
Boater Safety:
May 5 - 8: Virtual 7-9 pm each nightFullMay 17: In-Person 10 am – 6 pmFull- June 14: In-Person 10 am – 6 pm
- July 12: In-Person 10 am – 6 pm
- Aug 9: In-Person 10 am – 6 pm
- Sept 15 - 18: Virtual 7-9 pm each night
- October 6 - 9: Virtual 7-9 pm each night
Boatyard Classes
Visit abm.org/boatyard/boatyard-
- June 14 - 15: Lofting with Douglas Brooks
- July 12: Family Birdhouse Building in partnership with Save the River
- July 26-27: Paddle Making with John Homer
- August 19 & 21: Canvas Bag Making with Molly Voth & Adam Stanisz
- September 29 - October 3: Bronze Casting with Michael Saari
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Photo: 2024 Annual Antique Boat & Auction
About ABM
Located on the St. Lawrence River in upstate NY, ABM features a collection of over 300 antique and classic boats and thousands of recreational boating artifacts. Each summer, the 4.5-acre waterfront campus comes alive with numerous educational programs and special events, including the longest-running antique boat show in North America. For more information, please visit the Museum’s website at abm.org.