Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

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.
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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 cultur

e, 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.

06/02/2026

Have you stopped by our working Shipyard lately? Our shipwrights are in the final stage of a major refit of the 1920 Chesapeake Bay buyboat Winnie Estelle, working through the remaining punch list ahead of its return to the water later this year.

In our latest update video, Master Shipwright Patrick Mertaugh leads a tour of Winnie Estelle, sharing ongoing work on the bulwarks and cap rail, windlass, and steering system.

Stay tuned for updates throughout the project and learn more about all that’s happening in the Shipyard at the next edition of Coffee & Wood Chips with Vessel Conservation Manager Sam Hilgartner this Friday, June 5, at 10am. This monthly program is free for CBMM members and $10 for non-members.

Register: https://cbmm.org/event/coffee-wood-chips-june2026/

🎥 Blink Horn Productions

06/01/2026

We're celebrating by highlighting a War of 1812 Chesapeake mystery. 🕵️
This June, stop by the Craig Fuller & Diane Terpeluk Theater to watch Search for the USS Scorpion, a Maryland Public Television documentary following underwater archaeologists as they investigate a shipwreck in the Patuxent River believed to be the USS Scorpion, the flagship of Commodore Joshua Barney’s Chesapeake Flotilla.

The 28-minute film is showing daily at 11am and 2pm, and available on demand. Viewing is included with general admission, which is always free for CBMM members.

Whether you're joining us this month for the St. Michaels Flag Day Celebration, the Antique & Classic Boat Festival, Chesapeake Celebrations: Play on the Bay, or a day of campus exploration, add this fascinating Chesapeake story to your visit!

Learn more & plan your visit: https://cbmm.org/resources/now-showing-search-for-the-uss-scorpion/

05/31/2026

🛶 Quiet water, wildlife sightings, and a relaxing pace. Morning paddles are back at CBMM on select Saturdays, beginning June 13.

Join our experienced kayak guides for a relaxed morning paddle on the Miles River. Along the way, you'll enjoy scenic views and learn about the area's natural and maritime history. Keep an eye out for wildlife like turtles, cownose rays, birds, and maybe even a snake or two!

Whether you're new to kayaking or have years of experience, this paddle is designed for all skill levels. Bring your own vessel or rent one of ours!

Reserve your spot: https://cbmm.org/event/morning-paddle-june13-2026/

05/30/2026

We're counting down to the opening of Stories from the Shoreline on July 1!

Join us over the coming weeks for a behind-the-scenes look at this new exhibition and the stories, voices, and artifacts that helped bring it to life. We'll share some of the people, traditions, and objects featured in the exhibition, including items that have never been displayed before.

Follow along and get ready for our newest long-term exhibition!
Learn more: https://cbmm.org/stories-from-the-shoreline/

05/29/2026

Classic boats. Time on the water. Happy passengers.

Don't miss the free boat rides at the Antique & Classic Boat Festival & Coastal Arts Fair! Join us Father's Day weekend (June 19-21) and experience one of the festival's most popular traditions. Rides will be available on Saturday and Sunday from 1-3pm.

Learn more & buy tickets: https://cbmm.org/event/antique-classic-boat-festival-and-coastal-arts-fair/

05/28/2026

St. Michaels is getting some love in the latest issue of Southern Living!

The story highlights so many of the things that make our town special — life on the water, log canoe races, amazing food, historic streets, and the Chesapeake traditions that continue here every day.

We’re proud to see CBMM included as part of the story and to help share the history, culture, and community that make St. Michaels such a wonderful place to live, visit and explore.

If you’ve been here before, you know the feeling. And if you haven’t, this summer is a great time to come see it for yourself!

Check out the article: https://www.southernliving.com/st-michaels-md-11975464

05/26/2026

For Sherryann and Paul Plesse, CBMM membership has offered the perfect way to feel at home on the Chesapeake. In a short time, they’ve met new people and embraced new experiences—from festivals and oyster gardening to Member Nights and a newfound passion for boating.

Read more about their connection to our campus and mission, and all the fun they’ve had as part of the community shaping the Chesapeake: https://cbmm.org/resources/my-chesapeake-story-sherryann-paul-plesse/

Have your own Chesapeake Story to share? We’d love to hear it. Email [email protected] and use to share your memories and moments with us.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we honor and remember those who gave their lives in service to our country. 🇺🇸

Among the many stories preserved at CBMM is that of the schooner Freedom and its striking figurehead. Originally carved in 1931, "Miss Freedom" later sailed aboard the vessel as it trained U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen before World War II. Today, she remains a striking reminder of Chesapeake maritime history and the generations connected to service at sea.

The Freedom figurehead will be featured in our forthcoming Emblems of America exhibition alongside more trailboards, figureheads, and other marine carvings that highlight patriotic imagery in our collection.

Learn more: https://cbmm.org/emblems-of-america/

05/24/2026

St. Michaels is coming together to celebrate America 250! 🇺🇸

Andy and Andrea Roberson, local residents helping plan the celebration through the St. Michaels Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, share a look at the community-wide events leading up to the Flag Day Celebration at CBMM on Sunday, June 14.

Join us for a full day of free family fun, live music, field day activities, living history demonstrations, patriotic displays, and a festive boat parade through St. Michaels Harbor featuring dozens of vessels decked out in red, white, and blue.
Guests can enjoy the celebration from CBMM’s waterfront campus or reserve tickets to cruise aboard PATRIOT or one of CBMM’s historic vessels during the parade.

Free admission tickets are encouraged and available now: https://cbmm.org/event/st-michaels-flag-day-celebration/

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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