Ballast noun
bal-last
heavy material, such as stone, sand, iron, or lead, placed low in a vessel to improve its stability.

Located on Boothby Square in the Old Port area of Portland, Maine, Ballast is overflowing with history and old world charm. Its name comes from the cobblestones lining Fore St., which some say were once used as ballasts to steady incoming vessels from across the Atlantic.

The space came about as a natural companion to the Portland Schooner Co. business. A stable location on land to provide a gathering place for when the seas become too rough to sail. It has since expanded to become a premier event space to host your gathering or event.

Constructed in 1904, the building once housed the store and manufacturing plant for the E.M. Lang Co., a solder manufacturer that pioneered the way cans were sealed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Historic documents show that Edward M. Lang played a significant role in the advancement of canning mechanization, creating many patents, and even receiving the “highest award” at the infamous 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition (World’s Fair) in Chicago.

The city of Portland is one of the oldest ports in the US and has retained its iconic maritime charm over the centuries. We are proud to be a part of this great city and to continue in its nautical tradition.