Part of the Nova Scotia Museum family, the J.C. Williams Dory Shop perfected the Shelburne Dory and turned out over 50,000 since it opened its doors in 1880.
At the peak of the industry, seven shops operated along the waterfront.
One builder, Sidney Mahaney, had his hand in 10,000 of these small boats built to outfit schooners for offshore fishing.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana officially opened the Dory Shop Museum in 1983.