~ Our History ~

Special Thanks to Rosemary Williams for researching and designing the onsite exhibit, which inspired her book -- Maritime Annapolis.

Special Thanks to the Annapolis Maritime Museum for their support of the property exhibit and allowing us the use of many historic photos in the exhibit and on this web site.

Property was included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1999 for its role in shaping the maritime history of Annapolis. A more complete history of the property including an exhibit entitled “How to Build a Trumpy” is open to the public during normal business hours in lobbies of Building 14 at 222 Severn Avenue.

~ Chronological History ~

•  1750-1855: Oystermen, crabbers and fishermen live and work here spending their days in the far reaches of the Chesapeake Bay.

•  1855: The first official business is established here – The Annapolis Glass Company.

•  1904: The Chance Marine Construction takes over the property, building Chesapeake Bay workboats.

•  1914: At the start of WWI, Chance is commissioned to build 110' wooden submarine chasers.

•  1937: The Annapolis Yacht Yard is founded, and they begin building exclusive luxury yachts.

•  1940: The AYY begins building 70 foot Vosper Torpedo Patrol Boats for the British Navy, and goes on to build a total of 28 for the War effort. The “Big Shed” building still standing today is constructed for this purpose.

•  1940: The famous “America” yacht – the first the win the “America's Cup”- is brought her for repair. However, she meets with tragedy on March 29, 1942 when an unusually heavy snowfall collapses the temporary storage and crushes the boat.

•  1943: The AYY builds another 100 PT boats for the Russian Navy.

•  1948: The Trumpy family buys the property and establishes “John Trumpy & Sons, Inc.” They become known around the world for their exquisite hand-crafted yachts of mahogany and bronze. The most famous is “Sequoia” built for President John F. Kennedy.

•  1951: MSB Minesweepers are built by John Trumpy & Sons, Inc. for the Korean War.

•  1962: A huge fire threatens to destroy all of Eastport.

•  1973: The last Trumpy Yacht is made, and the yard is closed for good.

•  1974: The Templeton family purchases a two-thirds share of the property, and begins to restore the old buildings for office space.

•  2006: The“Big Shed” is renovated into Class-A office space – keeping the integrity of its history – complete with the entire original shell, steel beams and three lobby museums.