The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is excited to be a destination for summer fun and exploration with the return of its popular summer camps for children ages 4-15.

 Registration for these weeklong camps sharing the magic of the Chesapeake Bay’s people, animals, traditions, and environment is set to open on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, with a two-week sign-up period exclusively for CBMM members. Open registration will begin on Thursday, Jan. 16, and continue until camps are filled.

 CBMM will offer eight weeks of camps, beginning June 23, with a variety of offerings and themes to fit the interests and needs of our camp community. These include Sea Squirts (ages 4-6), Terrapins (grades 1-3), Summer Workshop (grades 4-6 & 6-9), Museum Masters (grades 4-6), and Inspiration Chesapeake (grades 6-9) camps.

 Capacity is limited for these camps, so early registration is encouraged. Learn more about all the fun planned and how to register at cbmm.org/summercamps.

 This year, we’re pleased to share a streamlined registration process via the Campwise platform. CBMM members will receive a registration link and access code via email, and once open registration begins, the link will be posted on the CBMM Summer Camp webpage.

 The full day camps cost $375 per week, while the half-day Sea Squirts camp cost is $165 per week. (Note: There is special pricing for the week of the Fourth of July of $300 and $130, respectively, because there is no camp on the holiday.) CBMM members enjoy a 20% discount on tuition. Scholarships are available for campers with financial need.

 To become a CBMM member and access early registration as well as the tuition discount, visit cbmm.org/membership or contact Membership Services Coordinator Debbie Ruzicka at 410-745-4991 or [email protected].

 CBMM summer campers explore Bay-themed topics through age-appropriate lesson plans in a small group setting and experience all that CBMM’s 18-acre waterfront campus has to offer. The programs put an emphasis on creating a fun, hands-on learning environment that includes stories, games, crafts, environmental and on-the-water activities, and creative projects.

 The Sea Squirts camp, open to children 4-6 years old, will be offered on a weekly schedule throughout the summer from 9am-noon Monday-Friday, while the full-day Terrapins camp, for children entering grades 1-3, runs from 9am-4pm.

Both camps will follow a different theme weekly, including Chesapeake Critters: Land & Sky  (June 23-27), Red, White, & Bay (June 30, July 1-3), Way Back When (July 7-11), Bay Scientists (July 14-18), Feathers, Fins, & Furs (July 21-25), Inspiration Chesapeake (July 28-Aug. 1), Adventure on the Bay (Aug. 4-8) and Chesapeake Critters: Aquatic Animals (Aug. 11-15).

Geared toward older campers, the Summer Workshops offer an expansion of CBMM’s Rising Tide after-school program by mixing traditional camp fun and workshop-based projects. 

This program will be offered for campers in grades 4-6 during the weeks of June 30, July 7, July 14, and July 21, July 28, and Aug. 4, and grades 6-9 during the weeks of June 23 and Aug. 11. These sessions run Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm.

The Museum Masters camp offers a behind-the-scenes pass to CBMM to learn all that goes into a museum and its exhibitions. Open to grades 4-6 the week of June 23, this camp presents a unique opportunity to explore CBMM’s collection and help create a special group exhibit. One project from last summer’s camp is featured in the Sailing to Freedom special exhibition currently running in the Changing Exhibitions Gallery and another remains on display in the Coulbourne & Jewett Education Center.

New this year, the Inspiration Chesapeake art camp runs July 14-18 for grades 6-9. This is an opportunity for campers to immerse themselves in the beauty and culture of our region and reflect their experiences through various art forms.

Contact [email protected] with further questions about this year’s camp offerings or for registration support.

For the second time in three years, the culinary team from Bistro St. Michaels, led by Chef Doug Stewart, has claimed top honors at the Oyster Stew Competition as part of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s annual OysterFest.

After blind polling of 350 guests who sampled six different stews during last Saturday’s festival, Bistro St. Michaels earned the People’s Choice Award for Stew A. The local eatery is a haven for oyster fans with oysters served fried, baked, and raw on the half shell, plus in stew and pot pie, on its menu.

“OysterFest is a great event to bring people together, both locals and people coming from out of town,” Stewart said. “The Oyster Stew Competition is nice because it gives the local chefs an opportunity to have some camaraderie and fun. We look forward to it every year.”

The Oaks Waterfront Inn and Chef Dave Donahue took second place with Stew E, while Gourmet by the Bay at the Village Shoppe, led by Sidney Trond, was third with Stew D. Ruse at Wildset (Stew B), Theo’s Steakhouse (Stew C), and Hambleton House Catering & Events (Stew F) were also part of the fun.

CBMM was pleased to welcome more than 3,000 guests to celebrate OysterFest with a full day of delicious food and drinks and oyster-themed festivities. Head to flickr.com/cbmmphotos to see a selection of photos from the fall-favorite festival.

Up next, CBMM closes out its festival season with the Holiday Edition of the Eastern Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 10am-4pm. Learn more and buy tickets at cbmm.org/SeaGlassFestival.

The Bay’s favorite bivalve takes the spotlight at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s OysterFest on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10am-4pm.

At OysterFest, you’re invited to enjoy oysters served a variety of ways, along with other local fare, craft beer, and spirits, plus fun for the whole family with live music on two stages, an oyster stew competition, a full schedule of demonstrations and presentations, children’s activities, and more.

Tickets are on sale now for this rain-or-shine event at cbmm.org/OysterFest, with discounted pricing for CBMM members.

Whether you prefer to sip, savor, or slurp Chesapeake Bay oysters, this annual celebration is for you. The delicious menu features oysters from the Talbot Watermen Association and several local oyster farms, with both raw and cooked options available.

Guests can also purchase a variety of Chesapeake delicacies and other food offerings via local vendors on campus, plus a beverage selection that includes specialty cocktails and an array of local craft beer options. All food and drinks are an additional charge.

Don’t miss your chance to buy an OysterFest mug and join the judging for the always-popular oyster stew competition. You’ll sample offerings from area restaurants and then vote for your favorite to decide which chefs claim the coveted title and local bragging rights.

The friendly competition continues with our annual oyster slurp-off contest. Interested participants can sign up on the day of the event.

All the oyster-themed fun will come with an upbeat soundtrack thanks to live music on both sides of campus all day long. Swamp Donkey Newgrass returns to play the historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand, and there will be a stage on Fogg’s Landing, as well, to add to the festive atmosphere.

Throughout the day, the Van Lennep Auditorium will host a variety of guest speakers sponsored by the Upper Shore Regional Folklife Center through the Maryland Traditions Program of the Maryland State Arts Council.

Just a few of the highlights: Food historian Joyce White will discuss historical influences on Maryland’s cuisine and her recent book “Cooking Maryland’s Way: Voices of a Diverse Cuisine,” and historian Eric Cheezum will share the incredible true story of the mysterious sea creature who captured the hearts and imaginations of the Bay region told in his book, “Chessie: A Cultural History of the Chesapeake Bay Sea Monster.”

The American Chesapeake Club will be on hand to share demonstrations highlighting the retrieving abilities of its Chesapeake Bay retrievers, while Eric Jackson of Bay Fibers Studio will offer guests a free opportunity to create their own t-shirt designs.

Children can explore life on the Bay through a range of themed, hands-on activities, including lawn games, model boat building, and more. The Phillips Wharf Fishmobile traveling aquarium will be on site, too.

To close out the day, cruise boat PATRIOT is offering a special OysterFest cruise on the Miles River as part of its final weekend of the 2024 season. Starting at 3:30pm, this 75-minute cruise features appetizers provided by Garden and Garnish, including oysters on the half shell. The cost is $62, with a $4 discount for CBMM members. Learn more and buy tickets at patriotcruises.com.

OysterFest guests can get in the festive spirit by purchasing commemorative gear in the Museum Store, showcasing this year’s featured historic oyster tin from CBMM’s collection. The one-gallon tin, packed by Mears & Powell in Wachapreague, Va., and marketed as Wachapreague Oysters, is emblazoned on shirts and hats, as well as the mugs used for the oyster stew competition.

This year, OysterFest is generously sponsored by The Easton Group at Morgan Stanley, PNC Bank, RAUCH inc., and SafeTime by MAGI.

OysterFest tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the door. Admission is set at $22 for adults, $19 for seniors (65+) and students (17+), $10 for active and retired military members, and $9 for children ages 6-to-17, with all children 5-and-younger admitted free.

CBMM members receive discounted pricing to OysterFest and other annual festivals celebrating the best of the Bay throughout the year. Adult member tickets are $10, and all children of members (17-and-younger) receive free admission. CBMM members at the Family & Friends level and above can also receive the $10 discounted admission for two additional adult guests.

CBMM members become a part of the Chesapeake story, joining CBMM’s mission as stewards of the region’s rich cultural heritage. To discover all the terrific benefits of membership and join today, visit cbmm.org/memberships or contact Membership Services Coordinator Debbie Ruzicka at 410-745-4991 or [email protected].

During the festival, additional free event parking will be available at St. Michaels Middle/High School, with a complimentary shuttle service running to and from CBMM.

For safety reasons, non-service dogs must be kept home during CBMM festivals, including OysterFest. Carry-on alcohol from dock or land is also prohibited.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s waterfront will be filled with unique watercraft and their passionate owners and builders at Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival XLI on Friday-Sunday, Oct. 4-6.

You’re invited to marvel at the craftsmanship and innovation showcased through these vessels alongside hundreds of small craft enthusiasts at one of the nation’s largest gatherings of its kind. Now in its 41^st year, this family-friendly festival runs 10am-5pm all three days. Learn more about all the festivities planned at cbmm.org/MASCF.

Register as a participant at cbmm.org/MASCFparticipants to bring your vessel and gain access to the full slate of events throughout the weekend. All other guests can enjoy the festival with general admission, which is valid for two consecutive days.

CBMM members save $25 on participant registration and receive free entrance to the festival as part of their free general admission throughout the year.

CBMM members become a part of the Chesapeake story, joining CBMM’s mission as stewards of the region’s rich cultural heritage. To discover all the terrific benefits of membership and join today, visit cbmm.org/memberships or contact Membership Services Coordinator Debbie Ruzicka at 410-745-4991 or [email protected].

This edition of MASCF will feature dozens of small craft, including sailing skiffs, rowing shells, kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, prams, and one-of-a-kind boats, with many of them in the water.

It’s also a great opportunity to meet small craft owners from around the region, including members of the Traditional Small Craft Association, to ask questions about their vessels and boating experiences. Don’t forget to check out CBMM’s small craft collection, including the dozens of vessels on display in the Welcome Center as part of the exhibition Water Lines: Chesapeake Watercraft Traditions, which opened last year.

CBMM’s celebration of all things small craft features a full slate of activities on Saturday. CBMM’s Shipyard staff will offer boatbuilding and maritime demonstrations throughout the day, while Chesapeake Light Craft will be on site with a selection of vessels from its fleet for guests to demo. Children are invited to build and sail their own model boat with CBMM’s Maritime Model Guild.

Don’t miss the chance to see these unique vessels in action that afternoon with a race on the Miles River. Guests are encouraged to watch the friendly competition from CBMM’s waterfront and docks.

Everyone on campus for MASCF will be able to vote for their favorite boat, with the People’s Choice award and others announced among participants on Saturday evening. Limited offerings will be available for the public to see on Sunday.

For safety reasons, non-service dogs must be kept at home during CBMM festivals, including the Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival.

 In partnership with the Universal Sailing Club, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is proud to host the 11th annual Souls at Sea ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 24, starting at 1pm.

Drawing on African traditions, this is an on-water remembrance and libation ceremony honoring the millions of captive Africans who perished during the transatlantic crossing known as the Middle Passage. CBMM general admission guests are invited to join the land-based portion of the ceremony, which will be held on the Fogg’s Landing side of CBMM’s campus next to the Welcome Center.

Founded by Universal Sailing Club member Regina Hartfield in 2013 and presented annually by the Baltimore-based club, Souls at Sea honors the ancestors and ensures their lives are not forgotten. After stops around the Bay region, the powerful event came to CBMM and the Miles River for the first time last year to celebrate its 10^th anniversary, and now it is returning to begin its second decade.

Find more information about this edition of Souls at Sea at cbmm.org/SoulsatSea2024. It is generously sponsored by the Upper Shore Regional Folklife Center.

“The Universal Sailing Club and I are so excited to return to CBMM to share this moving and memorable event with guests,” said Hartfield, an Eastern Shore resident. “As an on-water remembrance ceremony, Souls at Sea honors the ancestors and enables us all to remember and honor those we have lost in our own families. We acknowledge the history it represents, while spiritually, charting a course for a brighter future.”

Souls at Sea begins on land with a ceremony featuring a blessing of the captains and boats as well as a drum, dance, and song performance from the African Legacy Cultural Arts Association. The festivities will be led by Iya Ogunfunmilola and her assistant Iya Oyaronti.

At last year’s event, the National African American Quilt Guild presented a special quilt, crafted by quilters across the country, commemorating the event’s 10th anniversary. This year, the quilt, featuring 14 ships that transported captive Africans as part of the slave trade, will be loaned to CBMM and showcased in its upcoming special exhibition Sailing to Freedom: The Maritime Dimensions of the Underground Railroad that opens Sept. 27.

Afterward, CBMM’s guests will send off the Universal Sailing Club’s boats as they depart for the on-water ceremony. The club members will then raft up their vessels on the Miles River to continue their remembrance with a traditional libation ceremony, which is a ritual pouring of water as an offering to the lost souls.

For all involved, this is a meaningful day to highlight a dark period in history and remember the estimated two million-plus enslaved Africans who died making the voyage to the Americas over the roughly 350 years of the transatlantic human trade.

“We are honored to partner with Universal Sailing Club again for this special event,” CBMM’s Vice President of Education & Interpretation Jill Ferris said. “The club’s commitment to preserving the stories of their ancestors and honoring them with this incredible ceremony is inspiring, and we appreciate the opportunity to help share their important work.”

Get a great deal while supporting a terrific cause by purchasing your next vessel at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s annual Charity Boat Auction on Saturday, Aug. 31.

Dozens of boats and watercraft, ranging in size and performance, will be auctioned off to the highest bidders. New this year, there will be reserves on several top-quality vessels, while the rest will be offered with no minimum.

The doors open at 8am, providing an opportunity to browse the inventory before the auction begins at 11am. For the official rules, auction details, absentee bidding protocols, and inventory updates, visit cbmm.org/CharityBoatAuction.

A Labor Day weekend staple for more than two decades, the Charity Boat Auction is the flagship event of CBMM’s Charity Boat Donation Program, which accepts and sells gently used boats year-round. Every sale directly supports CBMM’s mission to explore and preserve the history, environment, and culture of the entire Chesapeake Bay region and make this resource available to all.

This year’s featured vessels include a Century 27 with like-new twin Yamaha engines, a Carolina Skiff 19 well-equipped for Bay adventures, a turnkey O’Day 31 sailboat, a Jarvis Newman 46 with liveaboard potential, and a 2014 Sea-Doo personal watercraft with less than 40 hours of runtime.

Beginning at 8:30am, guests can also shop a flea market-style tag sale that features a variety of used boating gear, including ground tackle, electrical equipment, hardware, rope, chain, oars, life jackets, motors, and more. Adding to the festive atmosphere, there will be a variety of local food trucks on hand and beer available for purchase.

Prospective buyers have several different ways to check out the inventory, starting with a preview exclusively for CBMM members on Thursday, Aug. 29, from 5–7pm. To get your Member Night invitation and become a part of the Chesapeake story, visit cbmm.org/memberships or contact Membership Services Coordinator Debbie Ruzicka at 410-745-4991 or [email protected].

The auction boats will be listed online and available for public view at CBMM on Friday, Aug. 30, from 10am–6pm. Regular admission rates will apply until 3pm that day, and gates will open for free from 3–6pm.

All registration for in-person bidding is handled on the day of the event. Registered bidders pay a $5 paddle fee and receive free admission.

CBMM members receive free admission into the Charity Boat Auction. Otherwise, general admission rates apply.

For safety reasons, non-service dogs are prohibited during CBMM festivals and special events, including the Charity Boat Auction.

If you have additional questions about the auction or available inventory, please contact CBMM’s Charity Boat Donation team at [email protected] or 410-310-5103.

Get ready to experience the vibrant spirit of the Eastern Shore at Watermen’s Appreciation Day, hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum on Sunday, Aug. 11, from 10am-4pm.

A partnership between CBMM and the Talbot Watermen Association (TWA), this annual celebration honors the hardworking men and women who define our coastal heritage.

With a thrilling boat docking contest, steamed crabs straight from the Bay, live music, family activities, and more, Watermen’s Appreciation Day promises unforgettable fun for all. Tickets are on sale now at cbmm.org/watermensday.

“Watermen’s Appreciation Day is a time-honored celebration of our Chesapeake Bay heritage, showcasing the skill and dedication of those who work the waters every day,” TWA President Jeff Harrison said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together and support our local watermen.”

A must-see Eastern Shore tradition, the watermen’s rodeo is an always-spirited boat docking contest along the Miles River near CBMM’s 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse, beginning at noon. Guests are invited to grab a seat in the bleachers and cheer on these “Chesapeake Cowboys.”

Starting at 11 a.m., TWA members will serve steamed crabs at $40 per dozen, plus an ear of corn. Hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, and more will also be available for purchase.

Throughout the day, guests can enjoy live music from Bird Dog and the Road Kings at the historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand and peruse local arts and crafts vendors spread across campus. Don’t miss the silent auction in the Small Boat Shed in support of the TWA.

Children can join in the fun with a variety of junior watermen activities. The Phillips Wharf Fishmobile traveling aquarium will be on site, too.

In addition to the special festivities, guests are encouraged to explore all the exhibitions and historic structures across CBMM’s 18-acre campus, including Waterman’s Wharf highlighting the life and work of a Chesapeake waterman and the working Shipyard that is currently home to several projects spotlighting the care of traditional Chesapeake Bay workboats.

Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the door. Admission is set at $22 for adults, $19 for seniors (65+) and students (17+), $10 for active and retired military members, and $9 for children ages 6-to-17, with all children 5-and-younger admitted free.

CBMM members receive discounted pricing to Watermen’s Appreciation Day and other annual festivals throughout the year. Adult member tickets are $10, and all children of members (17-and-younger) receive free admission. To support CBMM’s mission as a member and discover all the terrific benefits of membership, visit cbmm.org/memberships or contact Membership Services Coordinator Debbie Ruzicka at 410-745-4991 or [email protected].

This year, all licensed watermen and their immediate families receive free admission to the festival by showing an active license at the door.

All food and beverages are an additional charge for all guests.

During the festival, additional free event parking will be available at St. Michaels Middle/High School, with a complimentary shuttle service running to and from CBMM.

For safety reasons, non-service dogs must be kept home during CBMM festivals, including Watermen’s Appreciation Day. Carry-on alcohol from dock or land is also prohibited. Spectator boats wishing to view the competition from the water must remain outside the buoyed channel.

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

The Museum’s Popular Children’s Parade Is Back!! 

On Thursday, July 4th, 2024, St Michaels Museum will once again sponsor its traditional Independence Day Celebration at the Museum on the corner of East Chestnut Street and St. Mary’s Square. Events will start at 10 AM with the Children’s Parade. Children and parents should arrive at 9:30 AM. We encourage festively dressed participants with decorated bicycles, tricycles, wagons, and pets. Uncle Sam will lead the parade followed by the St. Michaels Fire Department’s antique Fire Engine, Maggie. The emphasis is on having a good time and showing off for parents, grandparents, neighbors, and friends. The parade starts at corner of St. Mary’s Square and Chestnut Street. The route turns right onto Talbot St, right onto Willow St. (just past Christ Church), right onto Church Street, left onto to Mulberry St. and then right onto to St Mary’s Square, the parade ends at St. Michaels Museum. 

There will be no floats or vehicles other than the fire department’s antique fire truck ‘Maggie’ and Boy Scouts leading the parade. This parade is always a special event for children only.

At 11 AM the Traditional Program will begin with Boy Scout Troup 741 raising the flag and leading a Pledge of Allegiance in front of the Museum. A formal program will follow on the Teetotum Porch with Benediction, and patriotic, and folk songs by the Royal Oak Musicians. 

The featured speaker is CBMM Curator Pete Lesher, Curator CBMM, Talbot County Councilman

Following the program, the magician John Dodge will perform for everyone. St Michaels Museum will be open with free admission. Refreshments will be available from the St. Michaels Fire Department. St. Michaels Museum at St. Mary’s Square, 201 East Chestnut Street, St. Michaels, Maryland 21663. www.stmichaelsmuseum.org