Boston: What's Your Swan Boat Story?

~ For nearly 150 years, the Swan Boats have been a beloved tradition in Boston, offering generations of residents and visitors a chance to experience the city in a unique and traditional way. The slow circuit around the Public Garden lagoon, surrounded by weeping willows, remains one of Boston's simplest and most cherished pleasures.

The story of the Swan Boats began in the 1870s when Robert Paget received a license from the city to operate boats for hire on the lagoon. In 1877, he introduced a new catamaran-style boat with two pontoons and passenger benches facing a driver who pedaled a paddle wheel. Robert and his wife Julia were both opera lovers, and it was Julia who came up with the idea to design the boats after Lohengrin, a knight who travels in a boat drawn by a swan in Richard Wagner's opera.

Tragically, Robert passed away just one year after launching the new boats, leaving Julia with four young children and an uncertain future for their business. However, she persevered and managed to keep the business going for over three decades – an impressive feat for any woman during that time period.

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The tradition of the Swan Boats was carried on by successive generations of the Paget family, who adapted and modernized the operation while still maintaining its essential character. Today, fourth-generation family members Lyn Paget and Phil Paget oversee a fleet of six boats, with the oldest dating back to 1910.

The Swan Boats are not just an attraction placed in the Boston Public Garden; they are an integral part of its historic identity. Established in 1837 as America's first public botanical garden, it was designated as a Boston Landmark in 1977. The landmark study report recognizes that swan boating and ice skating are the only recreational activities permitted within this protected landscape.

In 2027, both the Swan Boats and the Paget family's remarkable stewardship will celebrate their 150th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, the family is inviting Bostonians, former residents, and visitors from all over to share their own personal Swan Boat stories. Whether it's a childhood school outing, a special date, or a summer spent working on the boats, the Paget family wants to hear it all.

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Contributions can be in the form of a video, audio recording, photograph, or all three. These stories will be compiled into a collection that showcases the unique and beloved place that the Swan Boats hold in Boston's history.

To share your story and learn more about this initiative, visit swanboats.com. And after you've shared your memories, make sure to plan your next ride around the lagoon before the Swan Boats close for the season on Labor Day, September 7. They will reopen for their 150th season in April 2027.

This article was prepared by Katherine Kottaridis, Director of the Office of Historic Preservation. All photographs used in this article are courtesy of Swan Boats Boston – including a historic 1877 photo of the boats themselves and a more recent photo of fourth-generation family members Lyn and Phil Paget. Additionally, an image from Mayor Michelle Wu's visit to kick off spring at the Boston Public Garden's Swan Boat opening ceremony on April 18th, 2026 is included as well.

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