Tilghman Watermen’s Museum

Tilghman Watermen’s Museum Presents a Christmas Extravaganza

December 9, 2019 by Tilghman Watermen’s Museum

For the fourth year in a row, the Tilghman Watermen’s Museum will host a Christmas Extravaganza where the museum will be turned into a winter wonderland celebrating the wonder of Christmas. This year, the museum will feature unique crèche sets from around the world.

These rare manger scenes depicting the birth of Christ bring home the real meaning of Christmas. The popular animated displays with villages and trains have been expanded and are sure to please both young and old. Bring the whole family to view a collection of Santas and Christmas decorations from around the world.

Opening on December 7th, the Christmas Extravaganza collection will be on display each weekend in December on Saturday’s and Sunday’s from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Group tours are available by appointment by calling 410-886-2930. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

The Tilghman Watermen’s Museum is in their eleventh year of celebrating, documenting, preserving and sharing the history, traditions, heritage and culture of Tilghman Island. The museum is located at 6031 Tilghman Island Road, Tilghman. For additional information, contact us by email: twm6031@gmail.com or visit our website: www.tilghmanmuseum.org.

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Tilghman Watermen’s Museum Reveals 6th Christmas Ornament

August 20, 2019 by Tilghman Watermen’s Museum

Crafted in pewter by Salisbury Fine Metal Artisans at their Easton factory, the 2019 Christmas Ornament commissioned by the Tilghman Watermen’s Museum is now available for purchase. This year’s design, the 6^th in their unique collection relating to Tilghman history, features the Chesapeake Bay Skipjack.

Now designated as the last working boats under sail in the United States, skipjacks were developed in the Chesapeake Bay Region around 1890 to dredge oysters at the bottom of the bay. A boom in the oyster industry began after the Civil War as innovations in packing and transportation opened a national market. An estimated 2,000 Skipjacks were built in the region before World War II. Changing technology and declining harvests reduced the dredging fleet to fewer than a dozen by the year 2003. Tilghman is still home to several working skipjacks.

2019 Christmas Ornament

The name ‘skipjack’ refers to fish such as skipjack herring, or skipjack mackerel that leap in and out of the water. Skipjacks can sometimes resemble the fish as they come about quickly to make continuous passes or “licks” over oyster beds. Ranging in length from 25 to 50 feet, the hearty skipjack is known for speed and is powerful in light winds. Skipjacks have a shallow draft with centerboard and carry a single mast, two-sail sloop rig. The skipjack was designated the official state boat of Maryland in 1985. The oldest, Rebecca T. Ruark, built in 1886, resides in Dogwood Harbor in Tilghman and has been named a National Historic Landmark. The remaining fleet were listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Ornaments are offered for purchased for $20.00 which includes tax. They are available at the museum, located in the Lee House at 6031 Tilghman Island Road, and at the Two if by Sea Restaurant located at 5776 Tilghman Island Road. On-line purchases can be made by visiting the museum website: www.tilghmanmuseum.org, or by email: twm6031@gmail.com. Phone orders will be taken at 410-886-2930.

The Tilghman Watermen’s Museum is in their eleventh year of celebrating, documenting, preserving and sharing the history, traditions, heritage and culture of Tilghman Island. The museum is open on weekends from 10:00AM to 3:00PM. Off hour tours are available by calling 410-886-2930 or 410-886-1190. For additional information, contact us by email: twm6031@gmail.com or visit our website: www.tilghmanmuseum.org

Tilghman Watermen’s Museum Awards Scholarships

June 7, 2019 by Tilghman Watermen’s Museum

The Tilghman Watermen’s Museum is pleased to announce it has awarded not one, but two $1,000 scholarships, to two 2019 graduates of St. Michaels Middle High School who are from Tilghman. Both students met the academic criteria for the scholarship, but also in keeping with the museum’s mission, the two awardees both have watermen’s roots backgrounds and have chosen to further their education in careers that will benefit their community.

Taylor Lyons will be attending the North American Trade Schools with a focus on Diesel Technology. Jozie Wilson will attend Chesapeake College with an Allied Health Focus and plans to finish a degree at Salisbury University with a major in Respiratory Therapy. Both plan to live and work in the Bay Hundred Area. Congratulations Taylor and Jozie, we are honored to recognize your achievements and help you in your pursuit of higher education.

The Tilghman Watermen’s Museum is dedicated to the vision of celebrating, documenting, preserving and sharing the history, traditions, heritage, and culture of Tilghman Island.

Tilghman Watermen’s Museum Opens for the Season on May 4th

April 22, 2019 by Tilghman Watermen’s Museum

The Tilghman Watermen’s Museum has announced the opening date for their 2019 Season! Beginning Saturday, May 4th, the Museum will begin their eleventh year of celebrating, documenting, preserving and sharing the history, traditions, heritage and culture of Tilghman Island.

In addition to the exceptional collection of local artists such as Bill Cummings, Colleen Sadler, Marc Castelli, and Nancy Tankersly, the museum hosts a treasure trove of artifacts, oral histories and boat models.

New for 2019, the Museum has put together a special exhibit that speaks to the culture and history of the Island, “Waterfowling the Tilghman Way”. The exhibit features rare local decoys and artifacts – with a few “tall -tale” stories shared by the locals.

Located in the Lee House at 6031 Tilghman Island Road, the museum will be open on weekends from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Off hour tours are available by calling 410-886-2930 or 410-886-1190. For additional information, contact us by email: twm6031@gmail.com or visit our website: www.tilghmanmuseum.org

Tilghman Watermen’s Museum Celebrates 11 Years of Splendor

March 6, 2019 by Tilghman Watermen’s Museum

The Tilghman Watermen’s Museum has announced the date for their annual fundraising event. The museum will celebrate the 11th year of SPLENDOR on Saturday, April 6, 2019 from 5 to 8 PM at the Tilghman Island Volunteer Fire Hall. This popular event has a reputation for Eastern Shore hospitality with a raw bar of Oysters freshly shucked by local watermen, fine wines, craft beer and hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants, all included in the price of admission.

The carefully selected live and silent auction items attract buyers from all over the area. Paintings, photographs, unique woodwork, jewelry and artwork, are offered along with chartered fishing trips and sunset cruises on the Chesapeake. Overnight packages and gift certificates to the best restaurants are just some of the items for bid. A visit from Santa is on the block for auction and “Biddy Trice” will do the honors as Auctioneer for this fun event. You don’t want to miss it.

Admission is $35 per person. Tickets are available at the Two if by Sea Café, the Tilghman Island Country Store, on-line at the TWM website: https://tilghmanmuseum.org/shop/, or by contacting the museum via email at twm6031@gmail.com. Proceeds from this event support the Tilghman Watermen’s Museum’s vision of celebrating, documenting, preserving and sharing the history, traditions, heritage, and culture of Tilghman Island.

Christmas at the Museum 2018

November 30, 2018 by Tilghman Watermen’s Museum

For the third year, Tilghman Watermen’s Museum kicks off the Holiday season by turning the museum into a Christmas wonderland. Come join us for cocoa and cookies and heaps of holiday cheer as you browse through Lee House all decorated with Christmas trees, a spectacular Christmas village, and a variety of festive displays. Admission is free, however, donations to TAYA (Tilghman Area Youth Association) are welcome!

“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.”

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Dates open:

Friday, December 7, 5:00-8:00 Friday, December 14, 5:00-8:00

Saturday, December 8, 12:00-4:00 Saturday, December 15, 12:00-4:00

Sunday, December 9, 12:00-4:00

Tilghman Watermen’s Museum, 6031 Tilghman Island Road

Questions? Email twm6031@gmail.com

Website: www.tilghmanmuseum.org

Popular “Tastes of Tilghman” Returns for its 4th Year

September 21, 2018 by Tilghman Watermen’s Museum

The Tilghman Watermen’s Museum will hold its 4^th annual “Tastes of Tilghman” on Sunday, October 7 from 4 to 7 pm. This popular fundraising event will be held under tent on the grounds of the picturesque Black Walnut Point Inn.

Guests will enjoy a taste of the foods and culture of Tilghman Island, while awaiting a beautiful Tilghman sunset. Music will be provided by DJ Bobby Switzer, and local watermen will be on hand to share their colorful stories of working on the Chesapeake. Wine, beer, and light fare from area restaurants will be served. There will also be a raw bar.

“This is such a fun event,” says Mary Kellogg of the Tilghman Watermen’s Museum. “Tilghman’s pride and sense of community is felt by everyone attending.”

“Tastes of Tilghman” is presented with the support of Two if by Sea Restaurant, Black Walnut Point Inn, Tilghman Island Country Store, and Wylder Hotel. Tickets are $45 each, and are available at Two if by Sea Restaurant, Tilghman Island Country Store, or twm6031@gmail.com. The ticket price includes food, wine, beer, entertainment, and door prizes.

Tilghman Watermen’s Museum, a 501(c)3 organization,celebrates, documents,preserves, and shares the history, traditions, heritage, and culture of Tilghman Island.

Tilghman Watermen’s Museum Debuts 2018 Ornament

August 13, 2018 by Tilghman Watermen’s Museum

The 2018 Christmas ornament is the 5^th in a series of Christmas ornaments designed by Salisbury Pewter, Easton, MD for the Tilghman Watermen’s Museum.

The 2018 ornament is a depiction of a rare Tilghman Packing Company oyster can. Founded in 1897 by the Harrison brothers in an oyster- shucking house on a steamboat wharf, the Tilghman Packing Company grew to include multiple operations . In its heyday, it employed more than 600 people, the largest employer in Talbot County.It closed in 1975, and today not a vestige remains. This oyster can is from the early days of the company.

It can be purchased from the museum web site, tilghmanmuseum.org or via e-mail twm6031@gmail.com. Also, will be available at Two if by Sea Café or at the museum- 6031 Tilghman Island Rd. Price is $20, including sales tax, plus shipping and handling, if appropriate.

The museum is an all-volunteer 501 c (3) charitable organization. It celebrates,documents,and shares the history, traditions, lifestyles and cultures of the Island watermen and their families.

Tilghman Watermen’s Museum “Splendor” Event on April 14

April 1, 2018 by Tilghman Watermen’s Museum

The Tilghman Watermen’s Museum is getting ready for the tenth annual SPLENDOR, the museum’s annual fundraiser. This year’s SPLENDOR will be held at the Tilghman Island Fire Hall on Saturday, April 14, 2018 from 5-8 pm. SPLENDOR will feature a selection of fine wines, a raw bar with oysters from Phillips Wharf Environmental Center and renown shucker Timmy Fluharty, and hors d’ oeuvres. all included in the price of admission.

You will want to bid on two exciting getaways that top this year’s list of auction items.. The first is a week stay at the Grand Mayan Riviera Resort in Playa del Carman, Mexico. The second is a one week stay in a cottage overlooking the Saco Bay in Biddeford Pool, Maine.

New this year is an original painting by renowned artist Nancy Tankersley. A 1958-59 Federal Duck Stamp design print: Canada Geese by Les Kouba, First Edition of 250. A hand-crafted coffee table by Tilghman artisan Ken Peake and oyster knives crafted by Timmy Fluharty. A signed John Barber print- Windward Start- Fishing Bay. Plus, unique earrings designed for this auction by Aida Leisure.

Dinner for two at the Crab Claw with a cruise aboard the “Patriot”, Fishing trips aboard the Chesapeake Lady with Captain Butch Sweet and Class Act with Captain Bobby Marshall. Gift certificates to local restaurants and attractions, and the ever poplar visit from Santa are also on the list. There are many more items, something for everybody, plan to come and enjoy.

Tommy Trice will serve as the auctioneer this year with Linda Haddaway King as Master of Ceremonies. Admission is $35 per person and tickets are available at Two if by Sea Café and the Tilghman Island Country Store, at the door or by contacting the museum at 410-886-2930 or twm6031@gmail.com

Remembering Bill Cummings at Tilghman Watermen’s Museum

October 15, 2017 by Tilghman Watermen’s Museum

Well known artist, Marc Castelli, has created a very unique print exclusively for the Tilghman Watermen’s Museum. When Tilghman artist Bill Cummings passed away in September of 2014 he was working on another painting. Marc and Bill had become very good friends and in light of their friendship, Mr. Cummings’ daughter asked Marc if he would do a painting based on Bill’s last sketch. The result is “Remembering Bill, Remembering Fishing” painted by Marc in December, 2014. Marc has worked with Museum to issue 25 limited edition prints with the remarque of Bill’s sketch attached. The 25 prints produced will be named, numbered and signed by Marc Castelli. The cost of each unframed print will be $800. All proceeds benefit the Tilghman Watermen’s Museum which is dedicated to the documentation and preservation of the history, traditions, heritage and culture of Tilghman Island.

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