Celebrating 50 Years:

A History

The DeLorenzo Family is proud to be celebrating 50 years of hosting weddings and events, and providing a home to boaters of the North Shore community.

Since 1970, Danversport’s breathtaking waterfront location has been the premier destination for everything from magnificent galas to intimate gatherings. Danversport Marina is recognized as one of the finest marinas on the eastern seaboard, and has grown from humble beginnings to a full-service marina. Let’s take a look back at some of the highlights these last 50 years have brought to our community and family.

Where It All Began:

Before the Danversport Yacht Club existed, Joseph DeLorenzo made his living as a sheet metal fabricator. He began his career as an entrepreneur when he started his own metal fabrication company, Del-West, Inc.

Joe had a dream of building a “big band” style dance hall and marina where community members could celebrate special moments with family and friends. The idea for the Danversport Yacht Club was born.

Joe and his wife Barbara purchased 19 stunning acres on a grassy peninsula surrounded by the Porter River in Danvers, Massachusetts.

Construction on the events building began in 1969. Joe was on a tight budget, and had to be resourceful when constructing his building. Twisted bricks (known as “clinkers”) are laid in with the regular, rectangular bricks. Joe collected these discarded bricks from his brother’s block and brick plant to add a charm to the building, and to save a few dollars!

The Grand Opening of the Danversport Yacht Club was held on December 6, 1970. Dancing, dining, and cocktails along the harbor were a huge draw to members of the surrounding community looking for a place to celebrate with family and friends.

Family members will tell you that Joe loved square dancing and having a great time with his friends. When the doors opened, Joe saw his dream envisioned with a large dance floor to accommodate his square dancing club called the “Shin Diggers.”

The Growing Years: In the 1980s, Danversport went through many additions, renovations, and tremendous growth.

What started as a young couple’s dream with a modest function room turned into a dream venue for brides and grooms, business functions, and special events. Even in the earliest days, the beautiful property offered both indoor and outdoor options along the river with access to the gazebo or pergola.

The marina has grown from just a few slips to the bustling harbor it is today, well-known by boaters across the North Shore.

Passing The Torch To A New Generation: After many years of success, Joe and Barbara passed the torch to six siblings of the next generation.

To better reflect the services offered, Danversport Yacht Club adopted two new names: Danversport for the events business, and Danversport Marina for all things boating

The marina business grew with the addition of boat sales and mechanical service departments, and expanding on the slips and storage capabilities. The events building, meanwhile, has become the North Shore’s premier wedding and event location.

Today, the third generation has begun learning the ropes of the business. The hard work and dedication of our family and our amazing Danversport team members has been recognized over the years.

In 2011, the DeLorenzo Family was awarded Restaurateur of the Year by the Massachusetts Restaurant Association (MRA).

In addition, the all-in-one wedding planning site

“The Knot” has recognized Danversport as one of its Hall of Fame Wedding Vendors.

Closer to home Danversport received the North Shore Distinguished Leadership award for strong community involvement, social responsibility, leadership innovation, and sustained enhancement of the quality of life in our community.

Thank you to all the patrons over the years for choosing Danversport for your most important family celebrations. It is an honor to have been a part of your lives for the past fifty years.