Bill Conly: "The Harbor Ferries of Marblehead"

Imagine living in the mid-17th century when the only public conveyance from Marblehead to Salem was a ferry boat. This was the reality for early Marbleheaders were rowed across the harbor by the first ferryman, Tom Dixey. Join us at the Marblehead Museum, 170 Washington Street, on Thursday, October 3 at 7pm as 12th generation Marbleheader, Bill Conly, recounts the fascinating history of ferry boats in Marblehead. Learn how this crucial mode of transportation evolved from the first ferry in 1659 to the last in 1968. Conly will use historical records to give a vibrant description of what the ferries would have looked like and how they were operated during these important years.

Admission is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Advance registration available online at marbleheadmuseum.org or at 781-631-1768. Our lecture series is generously sponsored by Marble Harbor Investment Counsel.

Bill Conly is committed to Marblehead’s preservation. From attending Marblehead Schools, to working on Town departments as a teenager, to growing up at the Transportation Company waterfront, Conly has absorbed an understanding of Marblehead’s backstory. Conly has served as a Town Selectman for 23 years. He has also served as a Marblehead Museum board member and a member of the Marblehead Historic Commission for 15 years.