Author: Alice Estrada

AMMP Receives $51,188 in Chesapeake Bay Trust Grants

The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park (AMMP) is pleased to announce that it has received two significant grants from the Chesapeake Bay Trust (CBT).

An Environmental Education Grant in the amount of $38,188 was awarded to expand AMMP’s Oyster Education Program (OEP). With support from the grant, the museum aims to increase program participation by 50 percent in the 2018-2019 school year.

OEP is a year-long, project-oriented program that reaches sixth-grade students in Anne Arundel County Public Schools. The program consists of outdoor learning experiences, in-school outreach programs, teacher professional development, and teacher-led classroom instruction, all related to the oyster.

OEP begins with a thorough investigation of the oyster and its role in the Bay. Students dissect oysters, build models, and observe feeding and digestion. Oyster growth data is recorded in the classroom and that knowledge is put into practice on a field trip in which students “plant” oysters on a reef in a local sanctuary site.

Ecology and social studies are also incorporated into the program through erosion experiments, biodiversity studies, and a conversation with a working waterman.

“OEP provides the critical final step in the progression of the museum’s core programs,” said Sarah Krizek, education director for the AMMP. “Growing OEP is so important because it instills environmental stewardship in each student who completes the program. This expansion could not have been accomplished without the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s support.”

In support of the museum’s continued growth, a separate Capacity Building Grant was awarded by the Chesapeake Bay Trust in the amount of $13,000. Funds will be used to update the museum’s three-year strategic plan as it continues to grow into its second campus and serve the community.

About CBT

The Chesapeake Bay Trust (www.cbtrust.org) is a nonprofit grant-making organization dedicated to improving the natural resources of the Chesapeake region through environmental education, community engagement, and local watershed restoration. The Trust engages hundreds of thousands of individuals annually in projects that have a measurable impact on the waterways and other natural resources of the region.

About the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park

The museum, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, brings to life the distinctive role that Annapolis has played for generations in the marine industry through exhibits, lectures, and programs held at our two campuses located in Back Creek. To stay up-to-date on the park’s progress, and to learn about other programs and events, visit the museum’s website at www.amaritimestg.wpengine.com.

Volunteer Spotlight: Victor Grysikiewicz

Victor Grysikiewicz

Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse Docent & Event Volunteer

“Victor is a superhero! He is always the first to arrive and serves in one of the most difficult and physically demanding positions, as a bar back at our Summer Concerts. He volunteers for three hours and then goes to work overnight in D.C. He also volunteers at Education Programs and the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse. We are so very thankful for his selflessness.”

– Donna Adams, Volunteer Coordinator

Volunteers like Victor are the heart and soul of the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park. We are thrilled to celebrate them in this regular spotlight. To join AMMP’s outstanding team of volunteers, please email our volunteer captain.

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AMMP: How did you first learn about AMMP?

“I had two friends, one of whom is a member and owns a boat on the Chesapeake, who thought that the museum would be a great fit with my interests. My interests include nature, conservation, and the Bay.”

AMMP: How long have you been a volunteer?

“Going on four years now.”

AMMP: What is your favorite museum event or program?

“I really like helping people. I’ve helped at the summer concert series but I especially enjoyed helping children at one of our recent events, Earth Day by the Bay. I was the kayak instructor and helping children is the main reason why I like volunteering.”

AMMP: What connection have you made with the Chesapeake Bay?

“As a teenager, I had been involved in conservation and studying water quality. I love seafood, and just about every facet of the bay, actually. I like swimming, recreation, anything to do with the bay. I’ve chaperoned at a middle school by my house for a science teacher’s class that was studying the ocean and water quality. I like helping people that don’t have an avenue to the bay.”

AMMP: What is your favorite hobby to do on your downtime?

“Bicycle riding.”

AMMP: Where is your favorite vacation spot?

“I’d say a hard tie between Italy and Greece; I’ll be going back this summer!”

AMMP: What is your favorite drink?

“A cold crisp, beer – a Greek Mythos to be exact, which are hard to find.”

The Wilma Lee Comes Home to the Chesapeake Bay

Historic Skipjack new Homeport at the Annapolis Maritime Museum

On June 20, 2018, the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park (AMM) announced the much-anticipated arrival of the historic skipjack Wilma Lee. A reception was held at the Museum’s main McNasby campus to welcome her home to her new homeport of Annapolis. As the Wilma Lee approached the AMM docks on the Chesapeake Bay, two escort boats honored her with a water gun salute and a signal cannon fired three shots to officially announce the arrival to the cheering crowd.

The Wilma Lee is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. She was built in 1940 by renowned boat builder Bronza Parks on the shores of Maryland, but has for the last several years been on display and sailed in Ocracoke, North Carolina. There are only 23 active skipjacks remaining from an original fleet of over 1400, and of those, only 14 skipjacks are in active use in the oyster industry today.

“The skipjack is such a quintessential symbol of the region’s maritime heritage,” said Alice Estrada, executive director of the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park. “We are thrilled to be able to return this piece of Maryland’s history to the Annapolis community.”

The Wilma Lee was restored in the early 2000’s by Herb Carden of Sandy Point, Virginia, along with Master Shipwright John Morganthaler. In 2012, Mr. Carden donated the boat to Ocracoke Alive, a non-profit on Ocracoke Island which promotes local arts and education initiatives, to be used as a tool to teach all who sail upon her the history of boating. The Annapolis Maritime Museum will continue this same mission, with a focus on the skipjack’s legacy as a single purpose boat, designed and built for oyster dredging.

The preservation of this unique vessel will elevate the museum’s programs to a new level. Later this year, visitors to the museum will be able to tour the boat at the dock with a docent, and students visiting the museum on field trips will be able to receive lessons on the deck.

“We look forward to seeing students and museum visitors aboard the Wilma Lee,” Estrada said. “Our education programs and exhibits have always been hands-on, but what a beautiful thing it will be to really show people what it was like to work in the oyster industry 80 years ago.”

After a period of restoration, the Wilma Lee will be added to the museum’s roster of event venue options. Regular two-hour sailings are anticipated as well.

About the Wilma Lee

The Wilma Lee is 47 feet on the deck, almost 75 feet overall, including the bowsprit and the davit. She is sloop-rigged with a centerboard, 16.75 feet at the beam, displacing 26 tons. Her mast rises nearly 65 feet above the water line. She is a shallow draft boat, built with 2 1/2″ thick plank on frame construction. With the centerboard down, she draws around six feet of water and half that with the centerboard up. Her boom is almost 45 feet long, making for a sail area, including the jib, of over 1,700 square feet of canvas. The Wilma Lee is certified for 42 passengers.

Ellen O. Moyer Nature Park at Back Creek Update

BEFORE

What a difference a year makes! In spring 2017, the Ellen O. Moyer Nature Park at Back Creek was in a state of disrepair. The Annapolis Maritime Museum had recently leased the land from the City of Annapolis and was in the process of transforming it into new teaching space.

“The park was overgrown and neglected when we acquired it,” said Alice Estrada, executive director at the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park (AMMP). “Our volunteers and operations staff have worked tirelessly over the last year and a half to transform the space into a safe and beautiful waterfront park for the Annapolis community.”

The immediate focus of these efforts has been the historic waterworks building located at the 12-acre waterfront park off Edgewood Road. A space once used for storage is now a clean and comfortable education center, complete with two classrooms and updated facilities.

“This first phase of park revitalization was a must for the Museum,” said Estrada. “We had reached capacity at the McNasby campus and have big plans to increase our educational offerings.”

Once the main floor renovation of the building was complete, the refurbishment of the building’s green roof and patio area took center stage. A grant from Unity Gardens provided the plants necessary to redesign the green roof. The update has increased the curb appeal of the building and aligns with the museum’s green efforts.

Unity Gardens is a non-profit organization based in Anne Arundel County that supports the building of community partnerships through the creation of greening projects, environmental enhancement and education. The green roof provides an extra layer of vegetation in an otherwise urban environment, reducing both stormwater runoff and the urban heat island effect.

The replanting was coordinated and executed by a volunteer team from Thompson Creek, who also replaced the windows in the waterworks building.

“Thompson Creek has been a stalwart supporter of the museum’s expansion,” Estrada said. “Thanks to their assistance, we have been able to welcome an additional 1,500 students at the park’s facilities over the past year.”

Public access to the park campus is also a priority for the museum. Many residents along Edgewood Road in Annapolis have used the space for hiking and dog walking; however, the gathering areas near the Waterworks building were overgrown and uneven. The existing plaza around the historic building has been recently redone, creating an attractive and environmentally-friendly space for future community and educational events.

This patio project was funded in part by a grant from the Henry A. Jordan, M.D., Preservation Excellence Fund for the Mid-Atlantic States of the National Trust for Historic

AFTER

Preservation. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a privately-funded non-profit organization that works to save America’s historic places.

“Organizations like the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park help to ensure that communities across America retain their unique sense of place,” said Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “We were honored to provide a grant to AMMP, which has used the funds to help preserve an important piece of our shared national heritage.”

Students and local residents passing through the park can also take advantage of a smaller addition: a Little Free Library. The library is an expansion of the Read for Jane program, a literacy initiative established by the Sisco Family Fund. It works to engage underserved children through readings and activities related to the Chesapeake Bay.

The Little Free Library at Back Creek Nature Park features books related to the museum’s mission of educating the community on the Annapolis region’s close relationship with the Bay. All are welcome to take a book, leave a book.

Future plans for the park include additional classrooms and a new pavilion. These and other community-building initiatives are currently in the planning stages.

Volunteer Spotlight: Mia Keeley

Mia Keeley

Docent & Event Volunteer

“Mia is so friendly and laid back. She really embodies the Annapolis spirit and is a great ambassador for our Museum!”

– Caitlin Swaim, Curator

Volunteers like Mia are the heart and soul of the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park. We are thrilled to celebrate them in this regular spotlight. To join AMMP’s outstanding team of volunteers, please email our volunteer captain.

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AMMP: Why are you interested in this role?

Mia: I really like the museum and educating people about oysters and the history here. I lived in Annapolis and saw weddings being held here, so I wanted to learn more. I’d never been an environmentally conscious person until I came here. I love that this place is small and humble.

AMMP: Have you done a role like this before? Tell me about it.

Mia: I’ve done consulting at hospitals and many different nonprofit organizations such as the Boys and Girls club, SPCA, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, and more.

AMMP: What kind of satisfaction do you get from this type of work?

Mia: I volunteered at a lot of different places but this place, in particular, isn’t organized chaos like the others. It’s chill – with open and friendly employees. I enjoy being hands-on within the community and being able to know exactly what I can do to help.

AMMP: What motivates and inspires you to do your best?

Mia: Meeting new people.

AMMP: What two or three things are most important to you in a volunteering role?

Mia: Having flexibility and not feeling overwhelmed in my role. Receiving the proper directions to do my best in the role assigned, which I get here.

AMMP: Where is your favorite vacation?

Mia: Chartering a sailboat and cruising around from island to island. Being on the water.

AMMP: What is your favorite drink?

Mia: Water. Definitely.

Volunteer Spotlight: Dave Fisher

Dave Fisher

Docent & Event Volunteer

“Dave is a wonderful volunteer. He is always willing to lend a helping hand and gives an excellent Museum tour!”

– Caitlin Swaim, Curator

Volunteers like Dave are the heart and soul of the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park. We are thrilled to celebrate them in this regular spotlight. To join AMMP’s outstanding team of volunteers, please email our volunteer captain.

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AMMP: How did you first learn about the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park?

Dave: “I think I’d heard of it, I just didn’t know where it was. Things had changed in my life, and I was looking for a volunteer opportunity. I had once worked with Habitat for Humanity, and I wanted something to do. So I went on the internet and checked opportunities in Annapolis, and the Annapolis Maritime Museum came up. I thought it sounded interesting so I came by, spoke to Caitlin, and immediately joined as a volunteer.”

AMMP: How long have you been a volunteer and member of AMMP?

Dave: “I became a volunteer in February 2016. I became a member after about six months of volunteering because I was interested in the museum. It’s quaint, different, unique, and very active.”

AMMP: What is your favorite museum event or program?

Dave: “Ahh that’s a hard one. I would say the Oyster Roast and Sock Burning event. I actually even enjoy working it. Every year, I work at the bar pumping beer and making sure everyone has supplies.”

AMMP: What connection have you made with the Chesapeake Bay?

Dave: “This starts way back before I was born when my parents bought a shore house. It became a family weekend tradition over the summer to visit the shore house. We boated, fished, crabbed, and swam… Flash forward and I got married, had four children, and bought boats. AMMP was perfect to be connected to the water and bay.”

AMMP: What is your favorite hobby to do on your downtime?

Dave: “I enjoy showing my classic car and cruising down to car shows to look at thousands of cars.”

AMMP: Where is your favorite vacation spot?

Dave: “Any places near the water, ocean, or bay. My family and I travel to Ocean City sometimes, but this summer we’ll be going to Dewey, a small town just south of Rehoboth Beach.”

AMMP: What is your favorite drink?

Dave: “Beer – at bars, I always look at what taps they have so I can try something different. I like dark beers during winter and lighter beers in the summer. Oh, but for special occasions, I enjoy Ketel One martinis.”

Dr. Carol Sisco Elected Chairman of Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park

Andrew Davis to Serve as Vice Chairman

Diane McKinney Photography

Annapolis, MD – May 1, 2018 –The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park (AMMP) announced today that its board of directors elected Carol Sisco as its new chairman at a board meeting on April 17, 2018. At the same meeting, the board announced the election of Andrew Davis as vice chairman.

“Carol is extremely well versed in the mechanics of the museum and is a long-time supporter of the Museum,” said Alice Estrada, executive director of the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park. “The Museum and Park are on the cusp of so many great initiatives. Carol and Drew are both innovative, strategic leaders who will guide us to the next level.”

Dr. Carol Sisco is the managing partner of Sisco Associates. She is a nationally recognized clinician, consultant, and researcher in the field of addictions. Sisco is the former board chair of the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) and Reach Out Recovery (ROR). She is also a current member of the International Women’s Forum Leadership Foundation board and a previous board member of Reading is Fundamental (RIF).

“I am looking forward to my new role at the Annapolis Maritime Museum, especially during this time of great growth,” Sisco said.

Sisco has served on the board at the Annapolis Maritime Museum since 2014 and also chairs the AMMP Education Advisory Committee.

Retired Marine Corps Major General Andrew B. Davis is the chief executive officer of the World War II Foundation, a not-for-profit organization with the mission of educating current generations on the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of the World War II generation through the production of documentary films.

General Davis retired from the Marine Corps in October 2008 after a 38-year military career. In his civilian profession, Davis worked in the newspaper industry as a reporter, editor, publisher, and educator. He joined the board in 2016.

Former board chairman, Eric Rubin, and former vice chairman, Jack Whitelaw, will remain on the board as directors.

Earth Day by the Bay – Photo Recap

Earth Day by the Bay

Photo Recap

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Earth Day by the Bay, the inaugural family event at AMMP’s new Park Campus!

It was a beautiful day to get out on the water in a kayak or relax in the amphitheater while singing along to Guava Jelly.

Recycling Relay – The winning time was 30 seconds!

Crafting with Recycled Cans and Bottles

Snow Cones & “Dirt” Bar

Ranger Rick

Be sure to SAVE THE DATE for our fall family program: Fall Leaves & Oysters, Please!

This event will take place on October 20 at Back Creek Nature Park.

Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse – 2018 Tour Dates

Built in 1875 and now a National Historic Landmark, Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse (TPSL) is the last “intact” lighthouse of its kind left in its original location. The lighthouse has been beautifully restored by the U.S. Lighthouse Society, which operates tours in partnership with the Annapolis Maritime Museum. In these exclusive interior tours, guests are guided by an experienced lighthouse docent as they learn the history of the light, the life of a keeper in the early days, and the role of our modern-day Coast Guard.

2018 Tour Dates
June 9 ∙ July 7, 14, 28 ∙ August 4, 18 ∙ September 1, 8, 29 ∙ October 6

Details: Two tours are offered each day, at 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Tours are two hours and include 30-minute boat rides to and from the lighthouse, with opportunities to photograph the lighthouse from every angle, and a one-hour interior tour.

Location: Tours depart from the docks of the Annapolis Maritime Museum.
(723 Second St., Annapolis)

Tickets: $80.00 per person
(Funds are used for the continued restoration of the lighthouse.)

Additional Information: For more information on the tours or to purchase tickets, click here. Tours do require some physical exertion; please use discretion when purchasing tickets. Guests must be at least 12 years old.

Get involved: To learn about volunteering at the lighthouse, email us.

About the U.S. Lighthouse Society
The United States Lighthouse Society was founded to assist in the restoration and preservation of America’s lighthouses and to help qualified local groups in their efforts to return the nation’s lighthouses to the public domain. Although the almost 300-year-old era of manned light stations in this country has come to a close, those remaining symbols of our maritime heritage can and should be, preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.

About the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park
The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to educating students and adults on the area’s rich maritime heritage and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay.

2018 Annapolis Oyster Roast & Sock Burning (Photo Recap)

On Saturday, March 24, the Annapolis Maritime Museum and Park hosted the 8th Annual Annapolis Oyster Roast and Sock Burning. People from all over the region gathered to celebrate the start of spring at this annual fundraiser. Good food, live music, and a roaring fire kept the party going all afternoon.

People’s Choice ticket holders were treated to 10 samples from the area’s best restaurants and caterers. After sampling each, they cast their ballot for Best Oyster Dish.

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Congratulations to this year’s winner: Azure!

The main event was, of course, the sock burning! After the reading of the traditional poem, the first sock was thrown out by Governor Hogan. The crowd quickly joined in to shed themselves of the last reminders of the year’s harsh winter.

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A few brave oyster lovers competed in our shucking contest, and those looking for a more relaxing afternoon took tours of Back Creek courtesy of Annapolis Electric Boat Rentals.

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We are so grateful to all of our sponsors for making this event such a huge success for the Museum!

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Earth Day by the Bay: Saturday, April 28th, 3-5 p.m.

In 2018, Earth Day celebrations around the world will focus on reducing plastic pollution in local waterways. With two waterfront locations, and environmental education at the heart of their mission, the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park (AMMP) is proud to present Earth Day by the Bay, a family-centered celebration of the Chesapeake.

“Connecting children with nature and the Chesapeake Bay is the cornerstone of what we do,” said Sarah Krizek, Education Director of the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park. “This program supports the Earth Day mission to diversify, educate, and activate the environmental movement worldwide.”

Families can enjoy the many Earth Day by the Bay activities including creating art out of recycled materials at the eco-craft station, exploring the cove in a kayak, and catching and investigating Bay critters. Special treats will be offered including snow cones and “dirt” (crushed cookies with pudding and gummy worms). Guava Jelly, a local band that brings the sounds of the islands to audiences of all ages, will perform.

Earth Day by the Bay will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2018, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Museum’s new Park campus located at 7300 Edgewood Road (Ellen O. Moyer Nature Park). The Park features 12 wooded acres along Back Creek, one mile of walking trails, a dingy dock and a historic Waterworks Building. The Museum acquired the Park from the City of Annapolis in October 2016, where it was largely under-utilized and in a neglected state. The Museum is in the process of revitalizing the Park and developing and implementing a Park Master Plan.

Tickets for Earth Day by the Bay are $5 for AMMP members and $7 for non-members. Adults are free.

Jay Fleming is the Featured Artist at the Annapolis Maritime Museum

The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park will host local Annapolis photographer, Jay Fleming, in a rotating exhibit in the Museum’s Bay Room and gallery throughout 2018. A reception will be held at the Museum on March 22, from 5:30 to 7:30 to celebrate the art show.

Fleming’s photographs create a visual narrative of the lives of those individuals whose livelihood is directly dependent upon the Chesapeake Bay. His work is comprised of photographs of seasoned watermen, scenic seascapes, weathered workboats and bay bounty — a true and complete depiction of life on the water.

Equal parts informative and aesthetically pleasing, Fleming’s authentic photographs are relevant to the history buff, the biologist, the photography fan, and the Chesapeake Bay lover alike. The exhibit includes pieces from Jay’s book, “Working the Water,” and his forthcoming book, “Island Life.”

All of the artwork is for sale with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Annapolis Maritime Museum and Park. There is free admission to the exhibit during Museum hours.

“Given the subject matter of Jay’s work, we thought that there was no more appropriate a place for an exhibit of his works than the Annapolis Maritime Museum,” said Executive Director, Alice Estrada. “We are thrilled to host this show and consider it a seamless extension of our exhibits.”

Fleming discovered his passion for photography at the young age of 14 upon inheriting a Nikon n90s from his father, former National Geographic photographer Kevin Fleming. He immediately developed an affinity for looking at life through the lens of his camera and what ensued was an exciting photographic journey that would eventually lead him to his career as a professional photographer. Now, at the age of 30, he has an extensive portfolio that is sure to impress local audiences.