Boston’s iconic swan boats have returned to the picturesque Public Garden, ready to take visitors on relaxing rides after their seasonal hiatus.
The swan boats, which will operate in the lagoon until September, have a rich history tied to the Paget family, specifically Lyn Paget, who is the current owner and great-granddaughter of Robert Paget, the visionary who first introduced these unique pedal pontoons to the garden.
The story of the swan boats began in the late 1860s when Robert Paget obtained a license to rent out rowboats on the lagoon. His inspiration for the swan boats came after attending Richard Wagner’s opera Lohengrin, where a soldier rides a boat drawn by swans to rescue a princess.
In a delightful twist of creativity, Robert designed the swan boats to give the illusion that a swan was propelling the boat itself. He crafted propeller-powered pontoons with a driver’s box concealed beneath elaborately molded copper swans that he painted to resemble real ones.
The inaugural run of the swan boats took place in 1877, but tragedy struck the following year when Robert passed away from tuberculosis, leaving his pregnant wife, Julia, to run the business alone.
Julia’s determination to keep the family enterprise afloat is a remarkable aspect of this story. At a time when it was uncommon for women to own and operate a business, Julia boldly forged ahead, obtaining endorsements and support from local male business owners to prove her capability to manage the swan boats.
According to Lyn Paget, Julia’s tenacity and vision are deeply inspirational. “In my book, Julia’s a hero,” she remarked, acknowledging not only the practical need to provide for her family but also Julia’s commitment to her husband’s dream.
Julia successfully ran the swan boat business until her children, including Lyn’s grandfather, were able to take over. The mantle then passed to Lyn’s parents in 1952, who managed it for more than half a century. Under her father’s leadership, the fleet transitioned from traditional copper to economical fiberglass molds, only one of which remains in service today, dating back to 1910.
Having grown up in the family business, Lyn’s journey began as a ticket seller during her teenage years. Today, she is proud to be the first woman to fully lead the company since her great-grandmother. “There’s an interesting symmetry — my grandfather supported by his wife and my dad supported by his wife. So, we’ve come back to a female in the lead. The circle is coming around!” she noted.
During the boating season from April to September, Lyn is actively engaged in daily management alongside her cousin, Philip Paget. As owner, she is also tasked with the logistics of off-season storage at undisclosed locations throughout the city. Joking about their busy lives, Lyn stated, “We’ve all got day jobs, too.”
Lyn, who holds a master’s degree in public health, worked with the Centers for Disease Control during the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing her diverse skills beyond the family business.
The swan boat legacy is not just a solo endeavor, as younger family members are beginning to pitch in, continuing the tradition into its fifth generation. Lyn reflects, “I don’t think [Julia] ever imagined that these boats would’ve lasted so long.”
Excitement is already building for the swan boats’ 150th anniversary celebration in 2027, but for fans of the boats, there’s no need to wait to enjoy the experience. Currently, the swan boats are open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until June 20, after which they will extend their hours to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through September 1.
Tickets for a chance to glide peacefully across the lagoon are reasonably priced at $4.75 for adults, $3.25 for children aged 2 to 15, and $4.25 for seniors.
It isn’t merely the affordability that draws people back to the swan boats; Lyn suggests that it’s the sweet nostalgia and timelessness of the experience that keeps it special for generations.
“I think what most people love about the boats is that sense of time standing still,” Lyn expressed. “It’s an experience that seems unaffected by the changing times or daily news. When you go there, it’s exactly what it was when you were five years old.”
image source from：https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/04/25/boston-swan-boats-paget-family-public-garden-history-newsletter
