“The Landing” is a short stretch of the Kennebunk River where The Landing School is located. It was once an internationally famous shipbuilding area and the home of more than 20 shipbuilding firms between 1766 and 1867. As the economic effects of the Great Depression descended over the country in the early 20th century, the shipbuilding business throughout Maine began to dwindle. In 1942, The Landing hosted its last official launching of a commercial vessel, a police cruiser. In December of 1978, three and a half decades later, the first class of students at The Landing School launched a Chamberlain dory-skiff, reviving the boat building trade along The Landing.
The Landing School Timeline The Landing School was established in 1978 by John Burgess and Helen Tupper as a nonprofit, post-secondary institution dedicated to providing the highest quality hands-on education in boat building. The first year hosted nine students who used a cow barn as a classroom. They built two dories and two 18-foot sailboats as the curriculum. That program became the Wooden Boat Building Program and was eventually expanded to include both Small Boats and Cruising Boats options.
The Landing School
286 River Road
Arundel, Maine 04046
United States
207-985-7976
Fax: 207-985-7942
info@landingschool.edu