Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

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Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Your Chesapeake adventure begins here! With a park-like setting of outdoor and indoor exhibitions in the historic town of St.
(1460)

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and exploring the history, environment and people of the Chesapeake Bay; and the values of relevance, authenticity, and stewardship guide us in every aspect of our work. Michaels, CBMM offers changing exhibits, demonstrations, boat rides on the Miles River, and annual festivals celebrating Chesapeake Bay culture, boats, seafood, and history. CBMM’s floating fleet of historic Chesapeake Bay watercraft is the largest in existence and its small boat collection includes crabbing skiffs, workboats, and log canoes. Real shipwrights building authentic Chesapeake wooden boats are part of the CBMM experience, and they are available to share the heritage of traditional boatbuilding with guests. Rediscover the fun of playing on the Bay; take in beautiful, changing exhibits in the Steamboat Building; climb atop the historic 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse; learn about the heritage of oystering and waterfowling; get your hands dirty pulling up a crab pot or nippering for oysters at Waterman’s Wharf; or take part in a hands-on workshop through the Apprentice for a Day program and experience traditional wooden boatbuilding in the CBMM's working Shipyard. Our members even have docking privileges along CBMM’s harbor front campus. For more information, visit CBMM in St. Michaels or on the web at www.cbmm.org.

10/15/2026

Smith Island is a place unlike any other on the Chesapeake, and Carole-Ann and Everett Landon are working to keep its stories alive.

Through their heritage tourism business Experience Smith Island LLC , they’re helping visitors discover what makes this Chesapeake community so special, from its people and traditions to the story behind Maryland’s official state dessert.

CBMM Curator Jen Dolde talks with the Landons about their work, their memories of growing up on the island, and how something as simple as a slice of cake can help keep Smith Island’s stories alive.

The Landons are among the Chesapeake voices featured in CBMM’s Stories from the Shoreline exhibition.

Learn more about the exhibition and plan to visit: https://cbmm.org/stories-from-the-shoreline/

10/14/2026

There's nothing quite like catching your first fish!

This Friday, Oct. 16, is your last chance this season to join us for Free Fishing Friday at CBMM!

A big shoutout to our wonderful volunteer Ed Z, who leads the program and shared this video of a very exciting first catch with our friends from Building African American Minds, Inc. .

Come cast a line with us one last time this season! Join us under the Hooper Strait Lighthouse from 3:30–5:30pm.

Learn more: https://cbmm.org/event/free-fishing-friday/2026-10-16/

10/13/2026

Something BIG is building at CBMM!

We're excited to announce that Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks is coming to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum on May 15, 2027!
This international touring exhibition pairs extraordinary LEGO creations with real artifacts and hands-on experiences to create an immersive and memorable journey for all ages.

Explore 3,000 years of maritime history through eight legendary shipwrecks, including the Titanic, recreated using more than 153,000 LEGO bricks!
It's a one-of-a-kind experience that originated in Australia, toured Europe, and soon will take port in St. Michaels. We're proud to be next to share this exhibition created by the Australian National Maritime Museum in partnership with the Western Australian Museum and LEGO Certified Professional Ryan “The Brickman” McNaught.

Stay tuned for more details about Brickwrecks, our Bricks on the Bay opening celebration, and more exhibition-inspired programming and events ahead next year!

Learn more: https://cbmm.org/brickwrecks/

10/12/2026

Winnie Estelle is back on the water! 🌊

After a years-long refit in our working Shipyard, the 1920 Chesapeake buyboat was craned last week, marking an exciting step toward its future as a floating classroom and ecotourism vessel.

In our latest video update, Shipyard Manager Robert Leiby takes us behind the scenes of the craning and shares what made this milestone special for all involved with the project.

Join us for Winnie Estelle‘s christening at OysterFest on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 3pm. This ceremony will celebrate Winnie Estelle’s history, the talented shipwrights who have worked on the project, the supporters who made it possible, and the vessel’s next chapter on the Bay.

Learn more & buy tickets: https://cbmm.org/event/oysterfest/

🎥 Blink Horn Productions

Join us Thursday, Oct. 29, at 5:30pm as acclaimed maritime historian and author Marcus Rediker presents Freedom Ship: Th...
10/11/2026

Join us Thursday, Oct. 29, at 5:30pm as acclaimed maritime historian and author Marcus Rediker presents Freedom Ship: The Uncharted History of Escaping Slavery by Sea.

Drawing on his groundbreaking research, Rediker will explore the often-overlooked maritime routes of the Underground Railroad and share powerful stories of those who turned to the water in their pursuit of freedom.

This special Speaker Event is the final public program presented in connection with CBMM’s exhibition Sailing to Freedom: Maritime Dimensions of the Underground Railroad, on view through the end of the year.

Attend in person in CBMM’s Van Lennep Auditorium or join virtually.

Learn more and register: https://cbmm.org/event/freedom-ship-the-uncharted-history-of-escaping-slavery-by-sea/

This event is generously sponsored by the Upper Shore Regional Folklife Center.

10/10/2026

Oysters, music, and a whole lot of Chesapeake fun! 🦪

OysterFest is coming up Saturday, Nov. 7, and we can't wait to celebrate with you!

From freshly shucked oysters and local favorites to live music, boat rides, the oyster stew competition, and plenty of family fun, there's something for everyone at this fall favorite.

And this year, we have even more to celebrate! Join us at 3pm for the special christening of our historic buyboat Winnie Estelle following its three-year refit in the CBMM Shipyard.

Make plans to join us in St. Michaels from 10am–4pm! Save $2 on general admission when you purchase tickets in advance, or upgrade to VIP for an extra-special OysterFest experience.

Learn more & buy tickets: https://cbmm.org/event/oysterfest/

10/09/2026

What a fantastic day on the Miles River with Polaris Village Academy!

Recently, we welcomed PVA’s 2nd–8th grade scholars for a full day of Chesapeake exploration. Each season, generous members of the CBMM community donate tickets to give local organizations the chance to experience the Miles River aboard PATRIOT. This year, Polaris Village Academy was selected for a special cruise.

Students spent the morning exploring the museum, climbing the lighthouse, and discovering Chesapeake history before heading out on the Miles River for an afternoon cruise.

We caught up with PVA Head of School James Redman, who asked a few scholars about their favorite discoveries. From facing fears at the top of the lighthouse to learning about historic speedboats and the important role oysters play in keeping our waterways healthy, their enthusiasm says it all!

Thanks to the entire PVA crew for spending the day with us! We can't wait to welcome you back for more field trips this school year.

10/08/2026

Winnie Estelle is back in the water!

Following a three-year refit in the CBMM Shipyard, our 1920 Chesapeake buyboat made its big return to the Miles River this week!

Come along for a front-row seat as Winnie Estelle is lifted from the Shipyard and carefully lowered into the water, with our Chief Historian Pete Lesher sharing commentary on this exciting milestone.

And the celebration isn't over! Join us for Winnie Estelle's christening at OysterFest on Saturday, Nov. 7.

Scenes from an unforgettable morning in our working Shipyard! 🤩Yesterday, two historic Chesapeake vessels took to the ai...
10/08/2026

Scenes from an unforgettable morning in our working Shipyard! 🤩

Yesterday, two historic Chesapeake vessels took to the air. For both, the craning marked an important step in their ongoing preservation under the care of our Shipyard team.

First, 1920 Chesapeake buyboat Winnie Estelle returned to the Miles River after a three-year refit. Then, we craned 1889 bugeye Edna Lockwood in preparation for its upcoming deck replacement. Combined, that’s more than two centuries of Chesapeake history!

You never know what you will see in our Shipyard!

📸 George Sass

A little rain couldn’t stop the fun!We had a great weekend on the water for Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival XLIII. Tha...
10/07/2026

A little rain couldn’t stop the fun!

We had a great weekend on the water for Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival XLIII. Thanks to everyone who came out to race, row, sail, share their boats, and enjoy one of our favorite CBMM traditions!

📸 Sharon Thorpe

Address

213 N Talbot Street
Saint Michaels, MD
21663

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

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