The Martha's Vineyard Fishermen's Preservation Trust &
Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway
are collaborating to restore
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.
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.
Now, after nearly a hundred years of faithful service, the Little Lady is in urgent need of major repair. The skilled craftsmen at Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway are working to restore her so she can keep fishing for generations to come. Under the stewardship of the Martha's Vineyard Fishermen's Preservation Trust, she will serve as a living educational resource, connecting the public to the rich history and culture of commercial fishing on the Vineyard.
Scope of Work
and Timeline
The Little Lady requires a complete rebuild as soon as possible. The necessary repairs include a new backbone, frames, planks, deck, wheelhouse, rigging, as well as a rebuilt motor and hydraulic winch system.
The MV Fishermen's Preservation Trust, with the help of generous donors, has secured funding to purchase the Little Lady from the Jason family, pull it out of the water, and deliver her to Gannon & Benjamin so they can begin planning. Their team is available to work on her as soon as funding is secure.
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.
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.
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.
Fundraising
To realize the restoration of the Little Lady, a timely fundraising effort is required. In the last year, we have secured close to $870,000 in pledges from generous individuals and local grants—bringing us more than half way towards our goal of $1,500,000. We are seeking an additional $630,000 in pledges.
Due to the historical significance of the restoration of the Little Lady, the restoration process will be documented by filmmakers Ollie Becker and Tim Persinko of Circuit Films.
