250th Celebration: Community Boat Build of the "Raritan Star"

Learn woodworking, historic boat crafting, and more with the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership (LRWP) as we construct a full-scale facsimile of the historic “American Star” four-oared rig to be used on the Raritan River.

The original vessel was presented as a gift to General Lafayette on his last visit to the United States in 1825 and remains, to this day, part of Lafayette’s museum collections at his family estate, some 30 miles south of Paris, France. The vessel is the only known surviving example of a “lightly built American small craft” of its period, which Lafayette referred to as an example of the “ingenuity of American mechanics.” Working with the Mystic Seaport Museum, we have the design/build instructions to recreate this special vessel in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.

IMPORTANT NOTES

No prior woodworking skills required; participants will learn through hands-on activities.

Registration is FREE; however, pre-registration is required, and each build session is limited to eight (8) participants.

Locations vary; please check the calendar for the date you’d like to attend.

Closed-toed shoes are required in the boathouse.

Bring your own eye and ear protection if you have them.

Click here to reserve your space.