Category: News

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.

2018 Annapolis Oyster Roast & Sock Burning

8th Annual Annapolis Oyster Roast & Sock Burning

#BurnYourSocks

Annapolis, MD – January 18, 2018—For Annapolitan boaters, there’s nothing more indecent than wearing socks with boat shoes…and nothing more cathartic than burning them at the start of spring in a bonfire on the beach.

That bonfire, along with all you can eat oysters, will be provided at the region’s most curious of traditions: the Annapolis Oyster Roast & Sock Burning. Join us on Saturday, March 24^th, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. as we say goodbye to this year’s harsh winter and hail the beginning of boating season!

“This is an authentic and unique Annapolis tradition that started right here in Eastport,” said Alice Estrada, Executive Director of the Museum. “We love seeing how it has been replicated nationally.”

Burn your socks my friend, the winter is done,

Tis time for boating, crabbing, and fun.

New this year are boat rides for visitors wishing to see the Museum’s new second campus just across Back Creek. Old favorites remain, though, like the always-popular oyster shucking contest, open to any guest who wants to give it a shot. Start practicing!

Admission to this Eastport party includes unlimited raw and roasted oysters, live music by the Eastport Oyster Boys, admission to the Museum’s exhibits, and a chance to tour a skipjack. Food trucks will be on site, and beer, wine, and themed cocktails will be available for purchase.

For guests looking for a little something special, the People’s Choice ticket is a great option. Just $75, it includes two drink tickets and a private tasting. You are the judge as 10 premier Annapolis restaurants compete for best oyster dish.

General admission tickets are just $25 per person in advance, $30 at the door (if available; this event sells out each year). Kids 12 and under are free. All tickets are available for purchase online through What’s Up Tix.

Trammell Crow Company, one of the nation’s leading developers and investors in commercial real estate, is returning as this year’s title sponsor. All proceeds from the event benefit the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s award-winning education programs.

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 through programs, exhibits and community events.

2017: A Year in Review (Video Recap)

2017 was a banner year for AMMP. A flourishing education program with a new campus at Back Creek Nature Park helped us grow in our mission to share the maritime history and Bay ecology of the Annapolis region. More people than ever visited the Museum, to see our exhibits and to come together as a community at our special events: the Annapolis Oyster Roast & Sock Burning, the Summer Concert Series, Boatyard Beach Bash, and Captain Santa. We are proud to be an anchor for the people of the Bay. Watch the video below to relive some of our favorite moments from 2017! Happy New Year!

The Annapolis Maritime Museum Announces 2018 Winter Lecture Series

You are invited to warm up with the enriching Winter Lecture Series at the Annapolis Maritime Museum beginning Thursday, January 11, 2018. The popular educational and informative series of eight wintertime talks provides rich and stimulating topics from an esteemed group of lecturers. Lecture topics represent a diverse and exciting range of interests, from the history of how the Chesapeake Bay was created to local maritime and military history.

Lectures at the Annapolis Maritime Museum will be held Thursday evenings at 7 p.m., January 11th through March 1st. Admission is $10 per lecture and FREE for First Mate-level AMMP members and above. Join at the $100 level, and admission to all eight lectures is free, along with many other perks of membership.

Lectures take place in the Museum’s Bay Room located at 723 Second Street, Annapolis, MD 21403.

The 2018 Winter Lecture Series is presented by BB&T and sponsored by Ginger Cove.

Complete Schedule:

January 11 | 7 p.m.

Tidewater by Steamboat: When the region’s highways were made of water

Presenter: Jack Shaum | Author and Broadcast Journalist

January 18 | 7 p.m.

The Ecological History of the Chesapeake Bay: The pre-Colonial and post-Colonial Chesapeake Bay

Presenter: Grace Brush | Johns Hopkins University

January 25 | 7 p.m.

The 35 Million Year Geological History of the Bay: How an extra-terrestrial event created the Chesapeake

Presenter: Jeff Watkins | JX3 Energy

February 1 | 7 p.m.

The Ecology of Chesapeake Blue Crabs: The Strange and Wonderful Science of Blue Crabs

Presenter: Dr. Anson “Tuck” Hines | Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

February 8 | 7 p.m.

Brook Trout in Maryland: Understanding Our Native Gem

Presenter: Matt Sell | Maryland Department of Natural Resources

February 15 | 7 p.m.

35th America’s Cup

Presenter: Tucker Thompson | America’s Cup

February 22 | 7 p.m.

Baltimore’s Own: USS Constellation, Flagship of the African Squadron

Presenter: Christopher Rowsom | Historic Ships in Baltimore

March 1 | 7 p.m.

Teaching American history through battlefields: The importance of saving historic sites as outdoor classrooms

Presenter: O. James Lighthizer | Civil War Trust

The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating youth and adults about the Annapolis area’s rich maritime heritage and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay through programs, exhibits and community events.

Contact: M.K Richardson ∙ 410-295-0104 x3 ∙ development@amaritime.org

Event Recap: 2017 Annual Meeting & Holiday Party

As 2017 comes to a close, the Annapolis Maritime Musem reflects upon a momentous year. Perhaps most indicative of our success is the new addition of “& Park” to our official name. Growth and renewal were the themes of the night when, on December 4, the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park celebrated 2017 and the release of the Annual Report. Members and volunteers came together to mingle and hear about the Museum’s growth over the past year.

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Museum leadership gave a presentation outlining the highlights of 2017: the transformation of the Back Creek Nature Park Campus and the subsequent expansion of our education programs, a new exhibit in design, continued awards for venue, and – of course – the addition of our working cat, Pearl! Executive Director, Alice Estrada, also announced our Volunteers of the Year, Kate Spence and Michael Lindahl, and the winner of our Legacy Award, Marcia Buchanan.

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Volunteers of the Year — Kate Spence and Michael Lindahl

Legacy Award — Marcia Buchanan (Pictured here with husband, Buck.)

AMMP would like to extend a big “Thank You” to all of our supporters. Happy Holidays!

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Captain Santa’s Workshop

On December 2nd, AMMP was lucky enough to welcome to its shores the big man himself, Santa Claus! Our special maritime St. Nick was surrounded by a festive nautical backdrop, and his visitors were treated to hot cocoa, popcorn, and coffee. While they waited to share their lists of toys and treats, children made candles, jingle bells, and garland from recycled materials; creating gifts for themselves, their families and friends made the morning a special one!

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Many thanks to our sponsor for this event, Benkovich Orthodontics.

Annapolis Maritime Museum’s Partnership with Chesapeake BaySavers Expands “Chesapeake Champions” Program

Annapolis, MD | November 14, 2017 – Planting grasses on the shorelines of the Annapolis Maritime Museum has become a beloved tradition to local second graders. Thanks to the partnership between the Annapolis Maritime Museum and Chesapeake BaySavers, many more students will be given this opportunity.

The “Chesapeake Champions” program, now in its fifth year, is designed so that younger generations of students can gain a comprehensive understanding of the connection between the Chesapeake Bay and the people of the region. In the program, students learn about promoting Chesapeake Bay stewardship, improving the health of the Bay, and personal ownership of local environmental issues. This is achieved through hands-on experiments, interactions with local watermen, and collaborative art projects. The program, conducted by the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s award-winning education staff, also helps fulfill the Maryland Environmental literacy education requirement.

The popular program is supported by funding from Chesapeake BaySavers, a group dedicated to restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay through legislation and educational programs like this one.

“The Museum’s environmental education programs are a fantastic extension to the education work we do at BaySavers,” said Chesapeake BaySavers Founder Evan Thalenberg. “The Chesapeake Champions program allows our youngest learners to come face-to-face with the Bay and its importance, fostering the next generation of advocates for this local treasure.”

Educating youth on how their everyday actions can help protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay is a crucial step in creating a healthier environment. Eastport Elementary has been a longstanding participant in the Chesapeake Champions program.

“The relationship between the Annapolis Maritime Museum and Eastport Elementary has been so exciting,” said Susan Gallaher, Principal of Eastport Elementary. “While our students are learning so much, ultimately the health of the Bay will be the big winner!”

Students from Hillsmere Elementary will be the first to enjoy the Chesapeake Champions program at the Museum’s new waterfront Education Center at Back Creek Nature Park. The 12-acre campus gives students more opportunities to see and interact with the animals and vegetation they are learning about in school.

“The Museum has a deep appreciation for the continued investment of Chesapeake BaySavers in our education programs,” said Alice Estrada, Executive Director of the Annapolis Maritime Museum. “We are thrilled that our new campus at the Park has allowed us to grow these programs.”

Chesapeake BaySavers is an Annapolis-based environmental organization dedicated to restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay through legislative efforts, community outreach and hands-on environmental education programs for youth. Chesapeake BaySavers Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, focuses on education, community outreach, and hands-on environmental work, and Chesapeake BaySavers, Inc., a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization, focuses on legislative efforts. To learn more, please visit www.chesapeakebaysavers.org.

The Annapolis Maritime Museum 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 through programs, exhibits, and community events. The Museum partners with community groups, government entities, and other like-minded organizations to deliver high-quality educational initiatives and programs on subjects ranging from history and culture to the environment and good stewardship practices. To learn more about education programs offered by the Annapolis Maritime Museum, visit www.amaritimestg.wpengine.com.

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Contact: M.K. Richardson 410-295-0104 x3 | development@amaritime.org

Annapolis Maritime Museum’s Alice Estrada Named Executive of the Year

Annapolis, MD – The Annapolis Maritime Museum announces that its Executive Director, Alice Estrada, has been selected as Executive of the Year by the NonProfit Pro Organization. Estrada was recognized for her achievement at the organization’s National Leadership Conference in Philadelphia on May 17, 2017.

“I am honored and thrilled to receive this award,” Estrada said. “Returning to Annapolis and leading the Museum’s superb staff and expanding programs continues to be an incredibly rewarding experience. Receiving this recognition is the culmination of a lot of hard work over the last four years, and a symbol of the unique impact the Annapolis Maritime Museum has made in the Annapolis community.”

Since her appointment to Executive Director of the Annapolis Maritime Museum in 2013, Alice Estrada has successfully developed and executed a bold new vision for the expansion of the Museum’s facilities, exhibits and programs. Estrada’s tenure has witnessed a time of great growth, most recently in the acquisition of Back Creek Nature Park, a 12-acre urban ecology park that will host the Museum’s education programs starting this summer. Education programming has grown from serving 2,900 in 2013 to over 6,500 in 2016; and the average attendance at both the Winter Lecture Series and Summer Concert series has grown in attendance to become a year-round local community anchor.

“Alice has done so much more than expand the Museum’s education programs, special event and fundraising. She has proactivity led initiatives to secure the Museum’s history and archive the maritime history of the Chesapeake region,” said Annapolis Maritime Museum Chairman of the Board, Eric Rubin. “As Executive Director, she established best practices for the Museum’s collections and installed a living shoreline on the Museum’s beachfront property.”

NonProfit PRO is a national monthly magazine is the go-to publication that covers a wide-range of topics related to nonprofit management and strategy. The publication also hosts national non-profit conference across the country.

The Annapolis Maritime Museum 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 through programs, exhibits and community events. The Museum partners with community groups, government entities, and other like-minded organizations to deliver high-quality educational initiatives and programs on subjects ranging from history and culture to the environment and good stewardship practices.

Contact M.K. Richardson 410-295-0104, x3; development@amaritime.org