1856–1927: Rockport Granite Company / Cape Ann Granite Company
During these years, granite companies on the site shipped out supplies by schooner, traveling up and down the Atlantic Coast and as far away as Europe and Cuba. Granite was quarried from the nearby center of Cape Ann, in Dogtown, and run down a rail line to Hodgkins Cove.
1931–1963: Consolidated Lobster Company
Founded by Roger W. Babson, the Consolidated Lobster Company imported lobsters from Canada by boat and offloaded the supply at Hodgkins Cove to be shipped around the United States.
1964: Conveyed to the UMass Foundation
The site was conveyed to the UMass Foundation by the Hodgkins Cove Corporation. In 1976, the UMass Trustees transferred the property to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to be used by UMass Amherst.
1970–2007: Dr. Herbert Hultin, Director
Renowned faculty in food science, Dr. Hultin is considered the founding father of food biochemistry. For over 30 years, Hultin directed the UMass Amherst Gloucester Marine Station, where he received numerous national and academic awards.
Dr. Hultin taught and advised students who went on to become leaders in the food science industry, renowned research scientists, and dedicated faculty at universities and colleges throughout the world.
2011–2015: UMass and State Fisheries Division Launch Large Pelagics Research
UMass Amherst and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries opened a shared marine science research center focused on Large Pelagics (bluefin tuna, leatherback turtles and other large open-ocean migratory species). UMass research was led by Molly Lutcavage.
2015: Adrian Jordaan Named Director
In addition to being named director, Jordaan launched the station's fisheries research program.
2018–2019: UMass Reinvests
During this period, GMS hired four new faculty members to set a new strategic direction for the station.
2022: Chancellor Subbaswamy Hosts Open House to Celebrate $400k Investment
In 2022, UMass Amherst's chancellor visited GMS to celebrate growing support from the university and the Commonwealth. (Pictured L-R: UMass Amherst Vice Chancellor Steve Goodwin; Prof. Adrian Jordaan; MA Senator Bruce Tarr; UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy; MA Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante; UMass Amherst College of Natural Sciences Dean Nate Whitaker; Prof. Katie Kahl; MA Congressman Seth Moulton)
2024: $3 Million to Catalyze Climate Resilience R&D
With the support of state legislators, Mass Tech Collaborative awards $2 million and UMass Amherst contributes $1 million toward a new dock for ocean access, seawall repairs and installation of a Living Seawall, and an outdoor meeting, teaching and research space. (Pictured L-R: MA Senator Bruce Tarr, UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes; MA Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante; Mass Tech Collaborative CEO Carolyn Kirk; Professor Katie Kahl; Gloucester Mayor Greg Verga; MA Undersecretary of Economic Strategies at the Executive Office of Economic Development Sarah Stanton)