Tome Visitor Center and Turtle Habitat

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Tome Visitor Center and Turtle Habitat The historic Tome Gas House has been renovated as a Port Deposit Visitor Center & Towson University Research & Education Center for the Northern Map Turtle

Since 2008, Towson students have been studying Maryland’s only population of the endangered turtles in Port Deposit. One brave female turtle — who Tome’s Landing Marina employees made sure had clear passage through their busy parking lot to her nest each season — was named Rhonda. Rhonda’s likeness is now seen on banners along Main Street. To protect Rhonda, and other endangered Northern Map Turtles who nest here, Port Deposit took the reins in applying for and obtaining grants to restore the historic structure, and make it not only a home for Towson students for study of these wonderful creatures, but also to serve as a visitor center for the entire town and outlying areas.

We have some updates for our July schedule. We'll be open this Saturday from 12-4pm. Hope to see you there!
07/09/2026

We have some updates for our July schedule. We'll be open this Saturday from 12-4pm. Hope to see you there!

Our July schedule is here!We will be open from 12-4 p.m. on select dates in July and look forward to seeing you there!Op...
06/29/2026

Our July schedule is here!

We will be open from 12-4 p.m. on select dates in July and look forward to seeing you there!

Open dates:
Sunday, July 12
Saturday, July 18
Sunday, July 19
Sunday, July 26

We'll be open this Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. We hope to see you there! 🐢
06/09/2026

We'll be open this Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. We hope to see you there! 🐢

01/07/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2026
Port Deposit Adopts Northern Map Turtle as Official Town Reptile and the Striped Bass and American Eel as Official Town Fish

Port Deposit, MD — The Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Port Deposit adopted Resolution No. 01-2026 officially designating the Northern Map Turtle as the Town’s Official Reptile and adopted Resolution No. 02-2026 officially designating the Striped Bass and the American Eel as the Town’s Official Fish.

These species are native to the Susquehanna River and reflect Port Deposit’s long-standing relationship with the river and the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Northern Map Turtle is closely tied to the Susquehanna River and is listed as a Maryland State Endangered species. The Striped Bass and American Eel represent the health, resilience, and ecological importance of the Town’s waterways.

Councilman Dan Berlin introduced and advocated for recognizing the Northern Map Turtle as the official Town reptile and for establishing the Striped Bass and American Eel as the official Town fish to foster Port Deposit’s civic pride, strengthen community identity, and support educational efforts focused on the Town’s river ecology and environmental stewardship of the Susquehanna River.

Mayor Tome supported this initiative stating: “This designation strengthens our town’s connection to the Susquehanna River and emphasizes the importance of protecting the wildlife that makes Port Deposit unique.”

The resolutions build on the Town’s 2014 designation of “Rhonda the Turtle” as the official town mascot and reaffirms Port Deposit’s ongoing partnership with Towson University to support research, monitoring, conservation, and public education through the Town Visitor Center and the Towson University Research and Education Center located in Marina Park.

The Town encourages residents and visitors to learn more about the Northern Map Turtle, Striped Bass, and American Eel and to support efforts that protect river habitat, water quality, and the health of our local waterways.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Vicky Rinkerman
Town Administrator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 410.378.2121

08/21/2025
08/16/2024

The Port Deposit Council Work Session Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 20, 2024 has been cancelled.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in Town Hall, 64 S. Main Street, Port Deposit.

Address

South Main Street
Port Deposit, MD
21904

Opening Hours

Saturday 12:30pm - 4:30pm
Sunday 12:30pm - 4:30pm

Telephone

+14103782121

Website

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