The Martha's Vineyard Fishermen's Preservation Trust &
Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway
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invite you to
SAVE THE LITTLE LADY
On the docks of Menemsha rests a tangible relic of maritime history — the fishing vessel, Little Lady. Originally built for Captain Earl Foster in 1929 in Noank, CT, and later owned by F.H. Littlefield of Springfield, this wooden, side-rigged dragger holds the distinction of being the oldest and last single-handed, wooden dragger still in operation in New England. In 1938, The Little Lady was purchased by Leonard Jason, Sr. and has remained under the stewardship of the Jason family ever since. Passed down through three generations, she has sailed local waters and fed the local community for nearly a century.
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With her modest size and classic design the Little Lady symbolizes a time when fishing was a multi-generational lifestyle built around sustenance. She represents a bygone era of wooden boat trawler fishing, embodying the resilience and spirit of a community deeply connected to the sea.
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Now nearly a century old, the Little Lady is in urgent need of major repair.
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The Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust, in concert with Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway, is seeking lead donors to support this restoration project.
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We are seeking $2M to rebuild and maintain this icon and to use her restored condition to further our organization‘s mission.​
Scope of Work
and Timeline
The Little Lady requires a complete rebuild as soon as possible. Her dire condition requires regular pumping in order to stay afloat. The necessary repairs include a new backbone, frames, planks, deck, wheelhouse, rigging, as well as a rebuilt motor and hydraulic winch system. The boatbuilding experts at Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway are ready to employ 5-6 skilled workers for the restoration task. They have provided an estimate and are available to work on her as soon as funding is secure. Due to the historical significance of the restoration of the Little Lady, the restoration process will be documented by filmmaker, Ollie Becker of Circuit Arts.
Fundraising
To realize the restoration of the Little Lady, a timely fundraising effort is required. We are seeking lead donors who can provide the funds needed for us to purchase the vessel, finance its restoration, and establish an endowment that will ensure its stewardship and maintenance for years to come.
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Financial Needs:
Cost to rebuild vessel: $1,500,000
Funds to establish an endowment covering maintenance costs of the vessel in perpetuity: $500,000
TOTAL FUNDS NEEDED FOR THE PROJECT: $2,000,000
Serving the Community
for Generations
Under the stewardship of the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust, the restored vessel will be used for the educational and cultural enrichment of he community. In its restored state, the Little Lady will serve as a historical site for public visits, talks, and hands-on educational experiences, helping to foster a deeper appreciation for local maritime history, and for our local food producers. With a commitment to collaborative programming with like-minded organizations, the MVFPT will ensure that the Little Lady will remain relevant and accessible to all.
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In addition, the restored vessel would be used to donate high quality seafood to the island’s food insecurity organizations. Captain Denny Jason is committed to fishing the vessel regularly on our behalf, to harvest seafood for our seafood donation program.
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By embarking on the journey to restore the Little Lady, we embark on a mission to safeguard not just a vessel, but a piece of living history. We call upon the collective support of the community, recognizing that the preservation of our maritime heritage is a responsibility we all share. Together, let us ensure that the Little Lady remains a part of our landscape—a symbol of resilience, tradition, and connection to the sea for generations to come.
How to Donate
Through strategic partnerships we aim to breathe new life into this beloved icon of island history. If you wish to be a lead donor on this project, please contact Shelley Edmundson, Executive Director of the MVFPT, at 508-687-0344 or info@mvfpt.org.
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The Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust is a 501c3 organization (EIN:45-3546941). Donations are tax deductible.
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