Category: News

2022 Boatyard Beach Bash Sells-Out

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 31, 2022) The Annapolis Maritime Museum is hosting its 17th Annual Boatyard Beach Bash on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at their waterfront property in Eastport to a sell-out crowd. Founding Sponsor, Boatyard Bar & Grill, Title Sponsor, Annapolis Subaru, and Presenting Sponsor Tri-State Marine are thrilled to announce this year’s lineup. Several members of Jimmy Buffett’s touring and recording band, the Coral Reefers and other world-class musicians: Lineup includes Doyle Grisham, Eric Darken, Peter Mayer, Brendan Mayer, Scott Kirby, John Frinzi, Roger Bartlett, Zeb Briskovich, John Patti, David Edmisten, Aaron Scherz, Miles Vandiver, and MC and Margaritaville Radio’s Host, JD Spradlin.


This is a rare opportunity for ticket holders to enjoy world-class artists in an intimate setting at the beautiful beachfront campus at the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park in Eastport.

While known as being one of the best parties in Annapolis, the Boatyard Beach Bash is most importantly a philanthropic event with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Museum’s environmental education programs. We cannot express our gratitude enough for the continued support of Dick Franyo of the Boatyard Bar & Grill and our other sponsors. With their help, we have been able to raise over $1.3 million since 2004 and educate, on average, 12,000 local students annually,” commented Alice Estrada, President/CEO of the AMM.


In addition to Boatyard Bar & Grill, Annapolis Subaru, and Tri-State Marine, sponsors for the 2022 Boatyard Beach Bash included: Sotheby’s International Realty, Brad Kappel Sotheby’s, Sisco Associates, Annapolis Yacht Sales, Chesapeake Bay Yacht Charter, Covington Alsina, Safeway Trucking Corporation, Katcef Brothers, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Closet America, Hannon Armstrong, Live! MD Casino, Phil Goodman, Rogers-Wilbur Foundation, Brown Advisory, Hammond Wilson, Eastport Shopping Center, George S. Rich Foundation, Greenberg Gibbons The Murray McGehrin Group, Local Coast, Clean Advantage Corporation, Robert Hall Wine, Line 39 Wines, and Safe Harbor Marina, SpinSheet, PropTalk, and WRNR.


Contact: Kelly Swartout/ 410-295-0104 ext. 18 / kswartout@amaritime.org

Honoring the Black Families of Eastport: Past & Present

ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 16, 2022)—The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park (AMM) is proud to join Briayna Cuffie and the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in honoring the heritage of black families in the Eastport neighborhood of Annapolis. This event, Honoring the Black Families of Eastport: Past & Present, will take place on Sunday, February 27, 2022 from 11:30AM – 3:00PM at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church of Eastport located at 612 Second Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21403.

The history of black families spans at least 151 years – before their town was named Eastport and long before Eastport’s annexation into the City of Annapolis. Some of the earliest ancestors arrived within the first five years of Horn Point plats being sectioned off and sold in 1868. Watermen, United States Naval Academy employees, laundresses, butchers, business-owners, and more created a community within a community. From opening their own church in 1890 to serving as their descendants’ first teachers at least 20 years before Anne Arundel County provided a facility, multiple generations of the black community of Eastport have made an impact on local history.

Sixth generation descendant, Briayna Cuffie, has spent a significant portion of the last two years interviewing 4 generations of over 40 people in the Eastport community.  She discovered that black families in other areas of the City of Annapolis and the state are well-documented, but the same cannot be said for the ones of Eastport and other places nationwide. “They were the majority of residents on Second through Fifth Streets between Chesapeake and Eastern Avenue, but libraries, books, and old documents portray Eastport like the black community never existed. Local people, like my mom, aunt, and grandfather, remember so many vivid details that should be shared,” says Cuffie.

The gallery will highlight an assortment of over 20 photos from the Annapolis Maritime Museum and Maryland State Archives that span approximately 30 years – before and after Eastport was annexed into the City of Annapolis. The event will include two panels of descendants that will openly share what life was like for them and how things have changed over the decades. Excerpts from Mike Miron’s Our Eastport in The Capital Gazette will be featured and offer a glimpse into Eastport’s village within a village. As elders share their experiences, we can begin to fill the gaps and shine a light on the amazing history of our black community.

“We are excited to support Briayna’s efforts to preserve and commemorate this important heritage for the Eastport neighborhood.” said Caitlin Swaim, Curator of the AMM.

Please register for this event at: https://forms.gle/B814gQUG6B5TS7UK8

Appropriate COVID-19 precautions will be observed, including capacity restrictions and face mask requirements for all attendees.

Volunteer Open House at Annapolis Maritime Museum

ANNAPOLIS, MD – (February 8, 2022) The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park (AMM) invites you to a Volunteer Open House held on February 21, 2022 from 4:00-6:00PM in the Museum’s Bay Room. Meet our volunteer captains, enjoy beverages and light fare, and learn how you can use your skills and passion to give back to your local community.

AMM’s current group of 270 volunteers serve over 8,000 hours annually at our Museum, Park Campus, and on the skipjack, Wilma Lee. From docents to event assistance, AMM relies heavily on the support of our volunteers to support the museum operations, beautify our spaces, and facilitate programs. With recent renovations and expansions in our museum, at our park, and on the Wilma Lee, we are excited to welcome a new cohort of volunteers to grow our community offerings and help drive our mission forward.

“Our volunteers are the lifeblood of the Annapolis Maritime Museum,” said President/CEO Alice Estrada. “I am both humbled and impressed with their hard work, dedication, and passion for our mission and work. Local residents interested in history, continuing education, or handy work will find great options for involvement with various levels of commitment. There is something for everyone!”

Volunteer opportunities include:

  • Special Events/Fundraisers – Annapolis Oyster Roast & Sock Burning/Boatyard Beach Bash: Guest Check-in, Setup/Cleanup (1-day commitment)
  • Concert Series – Tides and Tunes (10 concerts) & September Sunsets (4 concerts): Guest Check-in, Setup/Cleanup                                                                          
  • Docent/Tour Guide: Check-in and greet visitors, provide tours, ring up merchandise (Shifts available Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
  • Wooden Boat Crew: restore/repair wooden boat exhibits (Days vary in warmer months.)
  • Gardening Team: maintain grounds of the Museum (Days vary in warmer months.)
  • Education Programs: assist in educating school children at both campuses (Days vary year-round. Mostly mornings.)
  • Grounds Crew at Ellen O. Moyer Nature Park: Landscaping projects, trail restoration & general gardening (Days vary in warmer months.)
  • Skipjack Wilma Lee: Guide Tours, Maintenance, Sailing Crew
  • Administrative Support: Filing, Correspondence, Organizing (During normal business hours.)
  • Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse: Guide Tours, Maintenance (Saturdays & Sundays, June-October, Weather Permitting)
  • Archives & Oral History: Interviewing, Editing Transcripts (Flexible daytime hours.)

No pre-registration is required for the open house. Current volunteers will be on hand to discuss all opportunities at this event. Those who are unable to attend but are interested in volunteering can email volunteercaptain@amaritime.org or visit amaritimestg.wpengine.com/support/volunteer to fill out an interest form.

The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park 2022 Virtual Winter Lecture Series

Annapolis, MD– (January 13th, 2022) Cozy up this winter in the comfort of your home with the Virtual Winter Lecture Series, hosted by the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park (AMM). Beginning Thursday, January 13th, 2022, join us as an intellectual group of authors, professors, and scientists present on eight stimulating and educational topics. Each wintertime lecture showcases a diverse and relevant range of topics, including the Maritime Mosby Rangers, courageous expeditions, oyster ecosystems and fisheries, and more. The public is encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about Annapolis’ rich maritime heritage and the Bay ecology.

Lectures will be held virtually Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:30 PM, January 13th through March 3rd, 2022. Admission is $10 per lecture for non-members and FREE for First Mate-level AMM members and above. Join at the $150 level today and admission to all eight lectures is free, along with many other membership benefits.

Lectures will take place virtually on zoom. Pre-registration will be required–amaritimestg.wpengine.com/events/wls

The 2022 Winter Lecture Series is presented by J.P. Morgan Private Bank and supported by Homestead Gardens.

Complete Schedule:

January 13th | 7 p.m. How John Yates Beall and His Men Became the Maritime Mosby Rangers Presenter: John Grady | Author  
January 20th | 7 p.m. Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and their Astonishing Odyssey Home Presenter: Richard Bell | Professor of History the University of Maryland
January 27th | 7 p.m. The 6th Great Extinction: Devastating Wildlife and all of Biodiversity Presenter: Gerald Winegrad | Former State Senator and Author  
February 3rd| 7 p.m. Ancient Oysters and Modern Messes: How Archaeology Can Help Clean the Bay Presenter: Leslie Reeder-Meyers | Assistant Professor- Department of Anthropology at Temple University
February 10th | 7 p.m. Blacks of the Chesapeake’s Campaign to Preserve a Local Legacy: Elktonia, Carr’s and Sparrow’s Heritage Preservation Project Presenter: Vince Leggett | Founder and President of the Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation  
February 17th | 7 p.m. Commodore Matthew C. Perry: Sailor, Diplomat, Naval Educator Presenter: Dr. Matthew C. Perry | Scientist Emeritus
February 24th | 7 p.m. Measuring Milestones and Meeting Goals: Progress in Bay Restoration Presenter: Ann Swanson | Executive Director, Chesapeake Bay Commission  
March 3rd | 7 p.m. Ospreys on the Patuxent: Their Important Role in the Ecosystem Presenter: Greg Kearns | Senior Park Naturalist, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

For presenter biographies and topic details, please visit amaritimestg.wpengine.com/events/wls.

The Annapolis Maritime Museum Receives a $10,000 Donation from the Heisman Trust

ANNAPOLIS, MD— (August 24, 2021)—The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park (AMM) received a grant from the Heisman Trust to support the preservation and archiving of the Michael F. Miron Collection. This award was gifted to the AMM by Linnea Miron and her husband, Heisman Trophy winner (1998) and retired NFL player Errick Miron (known as Ricky Williams). The Miron family (David A. Miron & Bernadette Miron, Jerome Miron, Jr and Michael Miron’s widow, Shelley Row), along with other donors, has matched this Heisman Trust donation.

The Heisman Trust is dedicated to fostering a sense of community through servicing youth. In keeping with that vison, the AMM’s aim is to educate youth to cherish our maritime heritage. The Heisman Trust and Miron Family designated the donation to AMM to preserve and share the Michael F. Miron Collection.  This collection was donated to the museum by the late Michael Miron, a local Eastport amateur historian and contributor to the Eastport Historical Committee, the predecessor to AMM. A major element of the Miron Collection includes over 135 interviews of Eastport locals, with a focus on the stories of trade workers and boat builders and residents of Eastport.  Through the work of dedicated volunteers, AMM has digitized and preserved most of the interviews.  Currently, portions of the collection are available for both audio and visual transcripts online.

The Heisman Trust and Miron Family donations will aid AMM in achieving the primary goal of expanding public accessibility for the collection. With this funding, AMM will fully digitize the collection. AMM will then create a search tool for researchers and the public to find and access this collection. With enhanced accessibility, AMM will develop a formal plan that addresses sharing this collection as a resource for the community. Through this gift, the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park believes it will propel these stories and images into the mainstream for our audience and community. This project will preserve and share the long-standing maritime heritage and history of Annapolis and Eastport for many years to come.

Tall Ships are Coming to Celebrate July 4th and the Re-opening of Annapolis!

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND (June 22, 2021)—The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park (AMM) with support from National Park Service (NPS)-Chesapeake Chapter and City of Annapolis will bring the Tall Ships to Annapolis City Dock from Friday, July 2-Monday, July 5, 2021 in celebration of the Fourth of July and grand re-opening of Annapolis. The ships will make a majestic backdrop for the 4th of July weekend festivities.

On Friday, July 2nd at approximately 4:00 pm, Tall Ship Providence from Alexandria, Virginia, Pride of Baltimore II from Baltimore, Maryland and the Skipjack Wilma Lee from Annapolis, MD will be arriving at the Annapolis Harbor for the July 4th weekend.

“Seeing the tall ships arriving in the harbor as we go into Independence Day weekend will be the beginning of a great celebration for our City,” Mayor Gavin Buckley said. “I look forward to their arrival and I encourage our residents and visitors to line the harbor to see them. It will be a magnificent sight!  I thank the Annapolis Maritime Museum for coordinating the arrival and tours. Great work all around!”

A public welcome party will start at 4:00 pm at Susan Campbell Park at City Dock, featuring an All-American Brass Band. At 5:30 pm, Sea Scout Ship 1959 – Seafarers will provide the Honor Guard for the event with Welcome Remarks from Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park’s President, Alice Estrada, National Park Service’s Superintendent of the Chesapeake Office, Wendy O’Sullivan, and Mayor Gavin Buckley of Annapolis will follow. Private Captain and Crew dinner will be sponsored by Boatyard Bar & Grill and JP Morgan Private Bank.

Tickets for dockside tours of all three boats, daily cruises on each boat and the dockside viewing of the Annapolis Harbor Fireworks on Sunday night will be available for purchase at Susan B. Campbell Park on Dock Street in Annapolis or by visiting amaritimestg.wpengine.com/event/tall-ships/.

Annapolis Maritime Museum and Park (AMM), along with the National Park Service, invites Annapolis & Anne Arundel County residents, as well as individuals from across the region, to join in the celebration by visiting Annapolis this July 4th weekend. “Annapolis Maritime Museum is honored to organize this spectacular event to commemorate this new beginning for Annapolis and the country. After all, there is nothing more maritime than tall ships.” said Alice Estrada, President of AMM.

The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the education of youth and adults about the Annapolis area’s rich maritime heritage and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay through programs, exhibits and community events. The Museum has two campuses, the Museum Campus in Eastport, the 12-acre Park Campus on Edgewood Road, Annapolis, and the historic skipjack Wilma Lee.

2021 Tides and Tunes Summer Concert Lineup

Tides and Tunes Summer Concert Series: 2021 Lineup

Enjoy 10 weeks of local bands against the scenic back-drop of the Chesapeake Bay.

Sweet Leda at Annapolis Maritime Museum, June 13, 2019

When: Thursdays at 7 p.m. | June 17 – August 19

Where: Annapolis Maritime Museum – McNasby Campus (723 Second St., Annapolis)

Cost: FREE; Donations Appreciated ($10 suggested)

June 17Sweet LedaRock, Soul, & Pop
June 24Timmie Metz Band f. TamboModern & Classic Rock
July 1Cancelled due to weather
July 8Cancelled due to weather
July 15Rick Hogue & The Revolving Doors Rhythm & Blues Rock
July 22Dublin 5High-energy Irish Rock
July 29Kavoossi & The TyposAlternative Rock
August 5Davidson ExchangeMusic of the 60’s & 70’s
August 12Honest Lee SoulFunk & Soul
August 19Blue Suede BopRockabilly & Honky-tonk

Additional Information: Food and drink will be available for purchase. Beverage sales support AMM’s education programs (no outside alcohol permitted). Bring a chair or blanket for seating. Visit the event page for more details.

The Annapolis Maritime Museum Re-opens to the Public with New Exhibits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Alice Estrada, President/CEO

            (410) 295-0104 x5

The Annapolis Maritime Museum Re-opens to the Public with New Exhibits

ANNAPOLIS, MD— April 23, 2021—The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park (AMM) will re-open to the public on April 24, 2021. The Museum closed December 30, 2019 for extensive exhibit hall renovations. The state-of-the-art museum exhibits were completed in 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, opening was delayed.

The brand-new exhibit, Our Changing Waterfront, allows visitors to the Museum to experience the Bay and our local history through the interactive and immersive exhibit displays. The re-imagined exhibits cost nearly $1,000,000, the majority of which was paid for by individual donors. The Museum exhibits are divided into three thematic sections: Bay Health, Oyster Economy and History, and Annapolis Waters. Highlights include:

  • Two 500 gallon aquariums:  “Bay Today & Yesterday” aquariums compare the environmental quality of the Bay today with a Chesapeake Bay of the 17th Century.
  • An interactive “Harry Potter” style book that explores the Bay watershed.
  • Touch screen table game that features oyster harvesting methods to cost, income, and Bay health sustainability.
  • Virtual reality boat where visitors can join a race mid-stream, jump onto a contemporary oyster boat, and slip across the Bay in a kayak.

“There’s nothing more stimulating than leaving a museum after having seen a great exhibition and we know that our inspiring new exhibits will not only provide high-tech, high-touch learning experiences but also deliver on the wonderful art of storytelling.” said Alice Estrada, President of the AMM.

AMM’s aim is to encourage everyone to cherish our maritime heritage and become lifelong stewards of the Chesapeake Bay. We must continue to support the current generation of people who love the Bay and to engage and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards and Bay savers.

About the Museum

The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the education of youth and adults about the Annapolis area’s rich maritime heritage and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay through programs, exhibits and community events. The Museum has two campuses, the Museum Campus in Eastport, the 12-acre Park Campus on Edgewood Road, Annapolis, and the historic skipjack Wilma Lee. AMM relies on its numerous volunteers, if you are interested in becoming a Museum Docent, please email Ryan Linthicum, Assistant Museum Manager at museum@amaritime.org.

The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park 2021 Virtual Winter Lecture Series

Annapolis, MD– (December 8, 2020) Warm up this winter in the comfort of your own home with the enlightening Winter Lecture Series hosted by the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park (AMM) beginning Thursday, January 7, 2021. The popular educational and informative series of eight wintertime talks provides rich and stimulating topics from an esteemed group of scholars, photographers, and historians. Lecture topics represent a diverse and relevant range of topics, from the traditional wooden shipbuilding and battles on the Chesapeake Bay to spotlights on waterfowl, oyster ecosystems and fisheries.

Lectures will be held virtually Thursday evenings at 7 p.m., January 7th through February 25th, 2021. Admission is $10 per lecture and FREE for First Mate-level AMM members and above. Join at the $100 level, and admission to all eight lectures is free, along with many other perks of membership.

Lectures will take place virtually on amaritimestg.wpengine.com. Pre-registration will be required.

The 2021 Winter Lecture Series is presented by Bay View Homecare, Homestead Gardens, and Cadia Healthcare of Annapolis.

Complete Schedule:

January 7 | 7 p.m. The Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse: A Chesapeake Bay Icon at Annapolis
Presenter: David Gendell | Author, Sailor, and Co-founder of SpinSheet and PropTalk Magazines  
January 14 | 7 p.m.  Chesapeake Bay Waterfowl: Exploring and Solving Mysteries
Presenter: Dr. Matthew C. Perry | Scientist Emeritus, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center  
January 21 | 7 p.m. Traditional Wooden Shipbuilding on the Chesapeake Bay & the Maryland Dove
Presenter: Pete Lesher | Chief Curator at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum  
January 28 | 7 p.m. Oysters and Ecosystems: How the Eastern Oyster Shapes the Chesapeake Bay
Presenter: Jesse Iliff | Riverkeeper of South, West, and Rhode Rivers  
February 4 | 7 p.m. The Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary: The Ghost Fleet and Beyond
Presenter: Dr. Susan Langley | Maryland State Underwater Archaeologist  
February 11 | 7 p.m. The Battle of the Chesapeake, 1781: Military Decider for the American Revolution
Presenter: Dr. Bill Cogar | Executive Director of Historic Naval Ships Association (HNSA), Author  
February 18 | 7 p.m. Racing on the World Stage: The 2021 America’s Cup and Olympic Sailing
Presenter: Gary Jobson | World-renowned Sailor, Author, Columnist, and Commentator  
February 25 | 7 p.m. Changing Fisheries of the Chesapeake Bay: Radical Changes in Recent Years
Presenter: Lenny Rudow | Angler in Chief at Rudow’s FishTalk Magazine, Author, and Editor  

For presenter biographies and topic details, please visit amaritimestg.wpengine.com.

The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park presents Stormwater Management Project at Park Campus

A large-scale Stormwater Management Project is underway at the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park’s (AMM) 12-acre Park Campus, located at 7300 Edgewood Road, Annapolis, also known as the Ellen O. Moyer Nature Park. This project was made possible by a grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund and designed by award-winning ecological restoration firm Underwood & Associates.

The Park Campus’ main entrance and plaza area have been vulnerable to stormwater runoff and nuisance flooding for decades. The shoreline along the cove has struggled to maintain vegetation and has visible signs of erosion due to high tides and storm surges. To combat these persistent degradations to the landscape, the AMM along with the Chesapeake and Coastal Services division at the DNR developed a conceptual design to restore the low-lying lawn area by redirecting the water to create a natural wetland system.

Work for this project commenced at the Park Campus in mid-October and is projected to be completed by early December. Before construction, hot and polluted stormwater ran untreated into Back Creek. The project consists of a variety of stormwater management techniques, such as a stormwater conveyance system and utilizes natural materials like sand, cobble, and sandstone to  treat stormwater before it flows into Back Creek. “To put it simply, the goal of this project is to slow it down, spread it out, soak it in.” said Alice Estrada, President and CEO of the AMM. The project will help the City of Annapolis meet its total maximum daily load goals by reducing total nitrogen by 26.37 lbs per year, total phosphorus by 3.27 lbs per year, and total suspended solids by 1,156.39 lbs per year.

Additionally, this restoration project will not only be an asset to the AMM’s Education Center, serving 12,000 students annually, but also the entire community by providing an ecological exhibit that will be seen by thousands of visitors each year. These improvements to the Park Campus will increase public access to the Chesapeake Bay, improve water quality, creating an ideal location for fishing and crabbing. This project will also serve as a demonstration of  proactive management strategies to combat the effects of climate change and coastal flooding.

While the Park Campus’ main entrance and plaza are under construction, the walking trails will remain open to the public.

The Annapolis Maritime Museum Launches the Wilma Lee

The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park (AMM) announced today the much-anticipated launch of the historic skipjack Wilma Lee’s public cruises. Starting August 8th, 2020 at 3pm at City Dock, the AMM will offer a variety of excursions, including Heritage Tours, Sunset Cruises and Wednesday Night Race Watch Parties. A formal ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Gavin Buckley is planned for September 4th, 2020.

The AMM spent well over $100,000 and the better part of two years restoring the Wilma Lee to return her to the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. “If we didn’t save her as a Maritime Museum, who would?” stated Alice Estrada, President/CEO of the AMM. The AMM will further it’s mission by allowing the Wilma Lee to serve as a tool to teach her visitors and program participants about Annapolis’ rich maritime history, oyster dredging and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay.

For reservations and tickets please visit amaritimestg.wpengine.com/wilmalee. The following ticketed public cruises are available:

Heritage Cruises: Experience Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay every week on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday from 3 to 5 pm like never before on this guided heritage sail aboard the historic skipjack Wilma Lee. Learn about the city’s history and the ecology of the Bay while viewing landmarks like the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and the Naval Academy. Tour guides will identify and share fun facts about native Chesapeake Bay wildlife during the cruise. Perfect for families and maritime enthusiasts. $35 Adults (18+), $15 Kids (7 – 17), Free Child (6 & under). Depart/return from Annapolis City Dock, harborside of Susan Campbell Park, Dock Street, Annapolis, MD.

Sunset Cruises: Join our crew every week on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday from 6:15 to 8:15 pm for an extraordinary cruise on the Chesapeake Bay. Includes complimentary beverages (wine, beer, canned cocktails and soda). $60.00 per person (Friday & Saturday), $50.00 per person (Thursday & Sunday), 21 and older only. Depart/return from Annapolis City Dock, harborside of Susan Campbell Park, Dock Street, Annapolis, MD.

Wednesday Night Races (WNR) Watch Party: Join our crew every week on Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 pm for an extraordinary view of the races. The WNR tradition watch party aboard the Wilma Lee is a perfect opportunity to catch the races up close. We invite you to sit back and watch the fierce competition of one-design sailboat racing. Includes complimentary beverages (wine, beer, canned cocktails and soda). $50.00 per person, 21 and older only. Depart/return from the AMM’s Museum Campus in Eastport, 723 Second Street.

The following experiences can be requested to book:

Private Charters: Give your guests the unique experience of setting sail with us on the Wilma Lee, one of only a few remaining Chesapeake Bay Skipjacks. The Wilma Lee offers an authentic setting perfect for small weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, reunions, vow renewals, bachelor/bachelorette parties, cocktail parties, corporate team building, or just a casual cruise on the water. Clients will work with preferred caterer to select food/drink and use catering staff. Maximum capacity is 35 guests.

Education Cruises: Come experience what life was like as a crew member living on the water, become familiar with skipjack terminology and tools, and explore the water ways and tributaries around the Bay. Students will be actively engaged in conducting water quality testing, investigating Bay animals, maritime history, and STEM concepts, all while enjoying the beautiful Chesapeake Bay setting. Our Wilma Lee Education Program is available for school groups, scout troops, homeschool co-ops, and other youth groups (5th grade and older). Cost is $18/participant for 2 hours (35 person max, currently reduced to 20 people due to COVID-19 restrictions). Trips start Fall 2020.

For more information regarding reservations contact us at program@amaritime.org.

About the Wilma Lee

The Wilma Lee is listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service. She was constructed in 1940 by boatbuilder Bronza Parks on Maryland’s shores to be one of many ships designed for oyster dredging. She dredged the Chesapeake Bay for 60 years. In June 2018, the vessel arrived at the docks of the Museum Campus to undergo restoration. More information regarding the boat’s history can be found at amaritimestg.wpengine.com/museum/Wilma-lee/

The Wilma Lee is 47 feet on the deck, 16 feet at the beam, and almost 75 feet overall, including the bowsprit and the davit. She is sloop-rigged with a centerboard and displaced 20 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.