Tag Archives: Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

Public Sailing Days begin June 20 at CBMM

CBMM_PublicSailingDaysPublic Sailing Days begin June 20 at CBMM

Beginning June 20, visitors to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) in St. Michaels, MD can experience the scenic Miles River aboard one of CBMM’s wooden sailing or rowing skiffs with Public Sailing Days. The program runs Fridays and Saturdays on June 20/21, July 18/19, August 15/16, and September 19/20. Two-hour sessions are offered on Fridays between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Built in CBMM’s boatshop, the traditional rowing and sailing small craft range in size and are perfect for one to two people. For sailboats, basic sailing experience is needed as instruction is not provided.

“This is a great way for our visitors to get out on the water,” said Boat Yard Program Manager Jennifer Kuhn. “And you get to experience some of the nicest, handmade wooden boats in the world.”

Drop-in participation is available, but reservations are encouraged as small craft are limited. The cost is $10 per person, per two-hour session, plus museum admission for non-CBMM members. CBMM is open daily and also offers visitors the opportunity to help build one of these skiffs through its Apprentice for a Day program. For more information, call 410-745-4980 or email afad@cbmm.org.

Photo: The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD is offering visitors the opportunity to get out on the water on select Fridays and Saturdays through September. Traditional small craft built through the museum’s Apprentice for a Day public boatbuilding program are perfect for one to two people. The program runs Fridays and Saturdays on June 20/21, July 18/19, August 15/16, and September 19/20, with two-hour sessions offered at select times. The cost to participate is $10 plus museum admission, with reservations encouraged and drop-ins welcome, with availability. For more information, call 410-745-4980 or email afad@cbmm.org.  

CBMM’s Kid’s Club summer camps begin June 16

CBMM_KidsClub2014CBMM’s Kid’s Club summer camps begin June 16

Beginning June 16 and continuing through July 25, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) in St. Michaels, MD is offering week-long, half day, Chesapeake-themed camps for kids 4-7 years old.

Led by a CBMM educator, campers explore the magic of the Chesapeake Bay’s people, animals, and watercraft through fun and interactive activities, stories, games, and crafts. Sessions for 4 to 5 year olds are offered during the weeks of June 16, June 30, and July 14, with sessions for 6 to 7 year olds offered the weeks of June 23, July 7, and July 21.  During the camps, children will also explore CBMM’s 18-acre Miles River waterfront campus, its exhibits, and boats.

Weekly sessions take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily. Camps fill fast, with pre-registration needed. The cost for the week-long camps is $125 for CBMM members, or $150 for non-members. For more information, visit www.bit.ly/CBMMKidsClub or call 410-745-4941 to pre-register.

Watermen’s Appreciation Day comes to CBMM August 10

CBMM_WAD_BirdDog CBMM_WAD_BoatDocking CBMM_WAD_EdgarHansen_BoatDocking CBMM_WAD_CrabsWatermen’s Appreciation Day comes to CBMM August 10

The 5th Annual Watermen’s Appreciation Day comes to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) in St. Michaels, MD on Sunday, August 10 to celebrate Chesapeake watermen and their heritage.

This year’s festival features a reduced price, which includes a “watermen’s rodeo” boat docking contest, live music, and celebrity appearances. Coming to this year’s event are reality TV stars Edgar Hansen and Nick Mavar from the F/V Northwestern on­­ Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch.”

Maryland steamed crabs, beer, and other foods and beverages will be available for purchase. The event is hosted by the Talbot County Watermen’s Association (TCWA) in cooperation with CBMM, with proceeds benefiting both organizations.

“Last year, Chesapeake crabs were scarce the week before the event,” said TCWA’s Event Chairman Lisa Gowe. “Which made it difficult to put on an all-you-can-eat crab feast with such a large crowd of ticketholders. By offering crabs separately, we’ll be able to better match supply and demand.” Gowe further commented that more food vendors will also be added to the festival to alleviate the long lines the event has seen in the past.

Beginning at 11 a.m., you can watch professionals in a spirited boat docking contest along Fogg’s Cove. Children’s on-the-water activities include a Pot Pie skiff rowing competition, with prizes awarded.

Starting at noon, the classic rock, country, and blues sounds of Bird Dog and the Road Kings will have people tapping their toes and dancing along the museum’s waterfront as the region’s favorite band plays live from the historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand. Also beginning at noon, the day’s catch of steamed crabs—served by the watermen who sourced them from the Chesapeake—will be available for purchase, in addition to beer, water, soda, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, and more.

Kids and families can enjoy games and activities throughout the day, including model boat building, a rowing competition, and more. Scenic river cruises aboard the museum’s 1920 buyboat, Winnie Estelle, will take festival-goers out on the Miles River throughout the day.

Bids can be placed on a number of silent auction items, including work by noted Chesapeake artist Marc Castelli, alongside the museum’s Small Boat Shed. Silent auction bids can be made up until 4:30 p.m., with proceeds supporting oyster restoration projects on the bay.

Throughout the day, festival-goers can get an up-close view of the museum’s floating fleet of historic Chesapeake vessels, along with a selection of working watermen’s boats. Festival admission also includes entrance to CBMM’s new special exhibit, Carvers at the Crossroads: Sharing Ideas, Techniques and Styles across the Chesapeake’s Susquehanna Flats, which opened April 12. During the festival, visitors will have full access to CBMM’s 12 exhibit buildings, including the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse.

Admission to the 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. event will be collected at the gate the day of the event and includes the boat docking contest, celebrity appearances, and the Bird Dog and the Road Kings performance at $18 for adults, and $8 for kids 6-17, with all children under six admitted for free. Museum members along with licensed watermen and their families get discounted admission at $10 per adult, and $6 per child ages 6-17. Boat rides, steamed crabs, beer, and additional food and beverages will be available for purchase. 

Proceeds benefit CBMM and the Talbot County Watermen’s Association. CBMM Legacy Partner Maryland Public Television is a media sponsor of this event.

For more information, visit www.cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.

The Nina and Pinta have safely arrived in St. Michaels, MD and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

DSC_0301 DSC_0364 DSC_0312The Nina and Pinta have safely arrived in St. Michaels, MD and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. 

The replicas of two of Christopher Columbus’ ships, the Niña and Pinta, are docking at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) through May 18, with boarding opportunities available to the public beginning Saturday, May 10.

The ships are operated by the Columbus Foundation out of the British Virgin Islands.

The Niña is an exact replica and was built completely by hand and without the use of power tools before her 1991 launch. The Pinta, an authentic reproduction of Christopher Columbus’ ship, was launched in 2005 in Valenca, Brazil. She is a larger version of the archetypal caravel and offers larger deck space for walk-aboard tours, private parties, and charters.

Both ships tour together as a sailing museum dedicated to educating the public and school children. Onboard exhibits highlight the history of the Age of Discovery, navigation of the era, how the ships were built, and a taste of what life was like more than 500 years ago.

Visitors are invited to board the ships between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily for unscheduled, self-guided tours. Tickets include tours of both ships and will be available upon boarding at $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $6 for students 5–16, with children 4 and under free. Museum admission is an additional cost for non-CBMM members.

Teachers or organizations wishing to schedule 30-minute guided tours with groups of 15 or more must make advanced registrations by contacting the Columbia Foundation directly at columfnd1492@gmail.com or 787-672-2152.

For more information about the Niña and Pinta, visit www.thenina.com. For more information about CBMM, visit www.cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.

Explore the Chesapeake Series begins at CBMM June 26

CBMM_ExploretheChesapeakeSeries_Kayaking1 CBMM_ExploretheChesapeakeSeries_Kayaking2Explore the Chesapeake Series begins at CBMM June 26

Beginning June 26, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) in St. Michaels, MD introduces its Explore the Chesapeake Series, an adult education program featuring half-day excursions of the Eastern Shore that include hands-on, behind-the-scenes experiences, historic tours, and on-the-water adventures through September. Advanced registration is needed for all programs, as participation is limited.

“These trips offer an intimate introduction for area newcomers, and locals wanting to reconnect with the people and landscapes that make the Chesapeake region unique,” said CBMM’s Director of Education Kate Livie. “It’s like a field trip for adults. Pack a lunch, bring your camera, and spend a day experiencing the incredible, scenic places off the beaten path on the Eastern Shore.”

On Thursday, June 26 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., CBMM’s Miles River Paddle & Island Exploration with the Midshore Riverkeeper Conservancy takes participants to the Miles River’s Rauss Island, a private haven for box turtles, osprey, nesting heron, and other Chesapeake wildlife. Participants must be physically able to maneuver into and out of a kayak with ease. The cost is $45 per person with a kayak provided, or $30 when you bring your own. A boxed lunch is available for an additional $10 per person, with participants offered to bring their own lunches.

On Friday, June 27 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., CBMM and Morgan State University Historic Preservation Program Chair Dale Glenwood Green will lead a tour of Easton’s “The Hill” neighborhood, exploring the history and architecture of one of the oldest African American communities in the United States. Lunch at the historic Asbury United Methodist Church will be followed by a hands-on afternoon of archaeology fieldwork, where ongoing digs are uncovering how early African Americans lived as a community on The Hill. The cost is $45 per participant and includes lunch.

On Friday, August 8 from 9 a.m.-12noon, participants are invited for a kayak paddle on King’s Creek in Kingston, MD with the Midshore Riverkeeper Conservancy’s Choptank Riverkeeper Drew Koslow. A survey conducted by the Smithsonian Institution identified King’s Creek as having one of the Chesapeake Bay’s most important marsh systems, full of spawning fish, nesting waterfowl, and diverse vegetation. Koslow will guide participants as they explore the marshes and coves. Participants must be able to physically maneuver into and out of a kayak with ease. The cost is $30 per person with a kayak provided, or $20 per person when you bring your own.

On Thursday, September 4, from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., the Sultana Education Foundation’s Chris Cerino will lead participants on a paddle through the marshes of Chicone Creek, a major tributary to the Nanticoke River near the historic town of Vienna, MD. Chicone was once home to a flourishing Nanticoke Indian community and became one of the first Indian reservations in the United States. The creek contains some of the most pristine marsh habitat on the East Coast. After paddling, and eating a boxed lunch, the group will tour the on-site Handsell House, an 18th century dwelling and a meticulously re-created Nanticoke longhouse. Participants must be able to physically maneuver into and out of a kayak with ease. The cost is $45 per person with a kayak provided. A boxed lunch is available for an additional $10 per person, with participants offered to bring their own lunch.

Participants must provide their own transportation, with meeting locations determined closer to the date of the program. To pre-register for an Explore the Chesapeake program, contact CBMM’s Education Assistant Helen Van Fleet at 410-745-4941. For more information, visit www.cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.

Chautauqua Summer Series comes to CBMM this July

CBMM_Chautauqua_July2014_TomChalkleyChautauqua Summer Series comes to CBMM this July

From 7 to 9 p.m. on July 7, 8, and 9, the Chautauqua Summer Series comes to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) in St. Michaels, MD. This summer marks the 20th anniversary of the Maryland Humanities Council’s (MHC) free and family-friendly summertime living history performance series. Each year, important historical figures are brought back to life for audiences all over Maryland. This summer’s theme is “Creative Women: Breaking the Mold,” and features Georgia O’Keeffe, Emily Dickinson, and Frida Kahlo.

On Monday, July 7, Georgia O’Keeffe will be played by Kelley Rouse, an award-winning broadcast journalist and former news anchor at WBOC-TV in Salisbury, who has been appearing as Georgia O’Keeffe since 2002. Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986) is considered the first woman in the American Modern Art movement and is best known for her striking paintings of flowers, bones, and landscapes.

On Tuesday, July 8, Emily Dickinson will be played by MiMi Zannino, the poet-in-residence for the Maryland States Arts Council, who researched, wrote, and performed “Time Travel with Emily Dickinson” throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) was an American poet whose works are considered among the finest in the English language.

On Wednesday, July 9, Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) will be played by Marian Licha, an award-winning actress best known for her one-woman show Frida Vice-Versa, which she co-authored and produced. Frida Kahlo was a Mexican artist best known for her self-portraits painted in vibrant colors.

A Chautauqua performance is an unscripted and spontaneous historical improv featuring individuals that are part scholar and part actor. Each performance is broken into three acts, where the performer represents a historical figure in the first person, then invites audience questions, and in the final act, steps out of character to answer questions that the historical figure could not have been able to answer.

“Chautauqua” was the name for the Chautauqua Lake area in upstate New York, where the movement began in 1874 as a Methodist summer retreat. A wide range of religious lectures and educational programs attracted a huge following. As it evolved, the Chautauqua movement presented the latest in thinking in politics, economics, literature, science, and religion. MHC launched the modern Chautauqua program in Maryland in 1995.

The Chautauqua Summer Series at CBMM is free and open to the public. Beer, wine, and other refreshments will be available for purchase, including Justine’s ice cream, with the public invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Carry-on food and alcohol is prohibited. All performances are to be held on the lawn of Fogg’s Landing, which is near the museum’s Steamboat Building. In the event of rain, performances will be held in the Van Lennep Auditorium. No registration is required.

The Chautauqua Summer Series at CBMM is generously underwritten by the Women & Girls Fund of Easton, MD, Geoff Oxnam, Carolyn Williams, Karen Shook, Blair Potter, Jocelyn Eysymontt, Kay Perkins, Cecilia Nobel, and Catherine Hill.

For more information, visit www.cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916. Additional information about the Chautauqua Summer Series can be found at www.mdhc.org.

Illustration by Tom Chalkley, Baltimore.

 

Tall ships in St. Michaels May 4-18

CBMM_TallShips_May4_19Tall ships in St. Michaels May 4-18

Tall ships are coming to St. Michaels, MD from May 4-18 at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM).

From Sunday, May 4 through the early morning of Saturday, May 10, the schooner Sultana can be seen harbor side at CBMM and out sailing with students throughout the week. The replica schooner will be open for boarding to all museum visitors from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6. The tour is free for CBMM members or with general admission.

The schooner Sultana serves as an on-the-water classroom for learning about the history and environment of the Chesapeake Bay. An almost exact replica of a British schooner that patrolled the North American coast just prior to the American Revolution, Sultana provides day-long programs as well as live-aboard programs for participants.

Replicas of two of Christopher Columbus’ ships, the Niña and Pinta, are set to dock at CBMM May 10-18, with daily boarding opportunities available. The Niña is an exact replica and was built completely by hand and without the use of power tools before her 1991 launch. The Pinta, an authentic reproduction of Christopher Columbus’ ship, was launched in 2005 in Valenca, Brazil.

Both ships tour together as a sailing museum dedicated to educating the public and school children. Onboard exhibits highlight the history of the Age of Discovery, navigation of the era, how the ships were built, and a taste of what life was like more than 500 years ago.

Visitors are invited to board the Niña and Pinta between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily for unscheduled, self-guided tours. Tickets include tours of both ships and will be available upon boarding at $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $6 for students 5–16, with children 4 and under free. Museum admission is an additional cost for non-CBMM members

With a mission to preserve and explore the history, environment, and people of the Chesapeake Bay, CBMM offers changing exhibits, demonstrations, boat rides on the Miles River, and annual festivals celebrating Chesapeake Bay culture, boats, seafood, and history. For hours and more information, visit www.cbmm.org.

Photo: Tall ships will be in St. Michaels, MD May 4-19 and docking at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM). CBMM welcomes the schooner Sultana, shown here, May 4-10, with onboard tours offered from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6. Replicas of two of Christopher Columbus’ ships, the Niña and Pinta, are also set to dock at CBMM May 10 – 18, with daily boarding opportunities for the public. For more information, visit www.cbmm.org. 

Summer sailing classes begin June 16 at CBMM

CBMM_SummerSailing_HorizSummer sailing classes begin June 16 at CBMM

Kids can explore the Miles River and learn maritime skills in the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s (CBMM) summer sailing program, where new and experienced sailors gain the confidence to sail a small boat in a fun, safe, and encouraging environment.

Weekly morning and afternoon classes are offered June 16 through August 8 for participants 8 years of age and older. Offering instruction for sailors at basic, intermediate, and advanced sailing levels, the classes include limited classroom time and three hours of on-the-water experience. Two-day adult and teen sailing classes are offered on weekends, with both classes utilizing a fleet of 15-foot JY sailboats.

Participants learn sailing and teambuilding skills including water safety, rigging, boat handling, and docking. The week ends with a family picnic and awards ceremony, where student accomplishments are celebrated. Pre-registration is needed, with a CBMM member cost of $200, or $250 for non-members.

Hourly, private sailings lessons are also available by reservation. For class schedules as well as information about monthly boater safety courses, visit www.cbmm.org/l_families.htm. Space is limited in all classes. To register, contact Helen Van Fleet at 410-745-4941.

CBMM’s summer sailing program offers participants 8 years of age and older and from all skill levels the opportunity to learn sailing and teambuilding skills. The weekly morning and afternoon sessions include limited classroom time and several hours of on-the-water experience along the Miles River. Weekend sailing classes for adults and teens are also available. Space is limited, with pre-registration needed. Call 410-745-4941 or visit www.cbmm.org for more information.

Two-day admission now at CBMM

CBMM_TwoDayAdmission_PhotocourtesyofAloftAerialPhotographyTwo-day admission now at CBMM

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) has announced its general admission has been extended to cover a two-day visit to the museum’s waterfront campus and exhibits. The museum features twelve exhibit buildings situated over 18-acres of Miles River waterfront in St. Michaels, MD.

The new admission structure went into effect March 1, and is priced at $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students with ID, and $6 for children ages 6-17. CBMM members and children under five receive free general admission. Festival admission is excluded.

“Admission rates have been the same since 2007, when the museum had much less to offer,” said CBMM President Langley Shook. “Today, our visitors often tell us they need more than a single day to experience everything that’s out here. I think our new two-day admission gives them an opportunity to explore it all.”

CBMM began in 1965 in a single historic house along St. Michaels harbor, before acquiring its iconic landmark, the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse, in 1966. Since then, the museum has expanded its property along Fogg’s Cove, with its permanent exhibit buildings now including the Steamboat Building, Bay History, Waterfowling, At Play on the Bay, Small Boat Shed, Boat Shop, Oystering on the Chesapeake, Watermen’s Wharf, Mitchell House, and more.

With a mission to preserve and explore the history, environment, and people of the Chesapeake Bay, CBMM offers changing exhibits, demonstrations, boat rides on the Miles River, and annual festivals celebrating Chesapeake Bay culture, boats, seafood, and history. For hours and more information, visit www.cbmm.org.

Photo: Two-day admission to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) in St. Michaels, MD is now the general admission to CBMM’s 18-acre waterfront campus and twelve exhibit buildings, with festival dates excluded. For rates and museum hours, visit www.cbmm.org. Photo courtesy of Aloft Aerial Photography. 

 

May 17 brings 4th annual Elf Classic Yacht Race to Chesapeake Bay

CBMM_ElfClassic14_Bowsprit_PhotoCreditRickCarrion CBMM_ElfUnderSail14_CreditLisaZimmerman

 

 

 

 

 

May 17 brings 4th annual Elf Classic Yacht Race to Chesapeake Bay

Launching early from Annapolis’ Eastport Yacht Club and ending at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) in St. Michaels, the 4th annual Elf Classic Yacht Race brings the centuries-old tradition of yacht racing back to the Chesapeake Bay on Saturday, May 17. Proceeds from the race benefit the Classic Yacht Restoration Guild (CYRG) and CBMM, where race participants will be greeted and the winners announced later in the day.

The race is organized by CYRG and features America’s oldest active racing yacht, the 1888 Elf. Restored by the CYRG to historically accurate condition and re-launched in 2008, the Elf is a Lawley-built 30-foot class cutter that pioneered off-shore yacht cruising in 1893 by being the first small craft to cruise round-trip from Marblehead, Massachusetts to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

For the May 17th race, a fleet of classic yachts will join Elf in a cloud of traditional sail for an 1880s-style race. Featuring a nautical “Le Mans start,” the race begins with each yacht’s captain first rowing a tender to their vessels before raising anchor and setting sail across the Chesapeake Bay. “These boats are something to see all on their own,” commented CYRG President Rick Carrion. “So you can imagine how spectacular it is to see so many rare boats coming together for this race.”

The race begins at 9am at the Eastport Yacht Club, where spectators can bid farewell to the racing fleet, its captain and crew. On the water, the race can be seen across the Chesapeake Bay from Annapolis and into the Eastern Bay.

The race concludes at the St. Michaels harbor on the Miles River at CBMM, where museum guests and onlookers will greet the fleet of classic racing yachts as they arrive along the museum’s St. Michaels waterfront. The race ends when the captains have anchored off, rowed to shore, and signed the race log at the museum’s historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand.

“The museum offers a great place to take in the traditions of the Chesapeake,” said CBMM Vice President of Communications Tracey Munson. “Watching these classic yachts and their captains’ arrive is another great way to connect with the bay.”

To register a yacht for the race, download a complete registration package under the “Events” tab at www.cyrg.org, or contact CYRG’s Rick Carrion at elf1888@earthlink.net. Early registration is recommended—with wooden, classic, and traditional yachts given preference when participating vessel limits are reached.

CYRG is a member organization dedicated to the preservation of maritime heritage through the maintenance and operation of the Elf. She was designed by George Lawley & Son of South Boston, Massachusetts, and built in 1888 for William H. Wilkinson. Over the warmer months, she can be seen dockside at CBMM and out along the Miles River and Chesapeake Bay.

CBMM is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and exploring the history, environment, and people of the Chesapeake Bay. With 18 waterfront acres in the historic town of St. Michaels, the museum offers exhibits, demonstrations, on-the-water experiences, educational programming, and annual festivals and events celebrating Chesapeake Bay culture, boats, seafood, and history. For more information about CBMM, visit www.cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.

PHOTOS 

The historic 1888 racing yacht Elf as seen out on the Chesapeake Bay. Other classic yachts will be joining the Elf for the 4th annual Elf Classic Yacht Race on Saturday, May 17. The race begins at 9am at Eastport Yacht Club in Annapolis and concludes at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD, where the fleet’s arrival will be celebrated and the winners announced. For more information, visit www.cyrg.org or www.cbmm.org. Photo credit Liza Zimmerman. 

The historic 1888 yacht Elf sailing along the Sassafras River with “a bone in her teeth.” The 4th annual Elf Classic Yacht Race takes place on May 17, with classic yachts racing from Eastport Yacht Club in Annapolis to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) in St. Michaels, where the fleet’s arrival will be celebrated and the winners announced. Race proceeds benefit the Classic Yacht Restoration Guild and CBMM. For more information, visit www.cyrg.org or www.cbmm.org. Photo credit Rick Carrion.