Annapolis Maritime Museum | Annapolis

The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park is a comprehensive cultural and ecological institution located in the historic Eastport neighborhood of Annapolis, Maryland. It is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the rich maritime heritage of the Chesapeake Bay, with a particular emphasis on Annapolis’s oyster industry, local waterman culture, and the ecological importance of the Bay. The museum is unique in its dual-campus layout-consisting of the Museum Campus at the historic McNasby Oyster Company building and the Ellen O. Moyer Nature Park-which together offer a wide variety of exhibits, programs, and natural exploration opportunities.

Museum Campus – McNasby Oyster Company (723 Second Street)

Historical Setting

This waterfront campus is housed in the last remaining oyster-packing plant in Annapolis, the McNasby Oyster Company, which operated during the height of the Chesapeake Bay's oyster trade in the early 20th century. This historic building, now fully restored, overlooks Back Creek and provides a working waterfront context that enhances the interpretive exhibits inside.

Main Exhibit – “Our Changing Waterfront”

This flagship exhibit is divided into three core themes, each represented through modern, interactive, and multi-sensory displays:

Bay Health:
Covers the science behind the ecological challenges of the Chesapeake Bay-such as pollution, habitat loss, and climate change. Interactive touchscreens, live aquariums, and a digital watershed model help visitors visualize how human actions impact water quality and marine life.

Oyster Economy & Industry:
Focuses on the history and cultural significance of the oyster industry. It features vintage oyster cans, shucking tools, photographs of working watermen, and even a restored skipjack model. Live oyster tanks and reef models demonstrate the oyster’s natural filtration power and role in restoration efforts.

Annapolis Waters:
Tells the story of Eastport and Annapolis as working waterfronts through oral histories, photographs, and immersive video projections. Life-size holographic watermen tell firsthand stories of harvesting oysters, crabbing, and navigating changing tides-socially and economically.

Technology & Interactive Features

Virtual Reality Experience simulating a day on the water as a Chesapeake Bay waterman.

Aquariums that replicate the underwater environment of the Bay, allowing up-close observation of local aquatic life.

Digital Games & Augmented Reality for children and school groups.

Buchanan Bay Room, a flexible space used for temporary exhibits, community art installations, lectures, and private events.

Ellen O. Moyer Nature Park (7300 Edgewood Road)

Located roughly 2.5 miles away, this 12-acre ecological park serves as the outdoor education campus for the museum. It features:

Tidal wetlands, forested trails, and a living shoreline, giving students and visitors the opportunity to experience native ecosystems firsthand.

Outdoor classrooms and a learning pavilion, used extensively in environmental education programming.

Kayak and canoe access, launching into Back Creek and nearby waterways.

Interpretive signs along the trail explaining native species, water cycles, and the function of wetlands in Bay health.

The park is open from dawn to dusk and is particularly active during school field trip seasons and summer camp programs.

Historic Skipjack Wilma Lee

The museum operates the Skipjack Wilma Lee, one of the last remaining skipjacks on the Chesapeake Bay. Built in 1940 and beautifully restored, the Wilma Lee now serves as a floating classroom and event venue. It is used for:

Public heritage cruises

Sunset sails and race viewing during sailing events

Private charters

Educational programs for students and adults, focused on traditional navigation, oyster harvesting, and boatbuilding

This vessel represents a direct connection to the waterman heritage and provides experiential learning through sailing.

Educational Outreach & Public Programs

The museum is a leader in STEM-based environmental education, reaching over 12,000 students annually through school field trips, in-school outreach, virtual programs, and summer camps. Topics include:

Oyster biology and aquaculture

Water quality testing

Chesapeake Bay food chains

Environmental stewardship and conservation

In addition, the museum offers:

Public lectures and panel discussions

Community events, such as the popular Tides & Tunes summer concert series, Oyster Roasts, and the Boatyard Beach Bash

Volunteer opportunities in citizen science, event staffing, shoreline cleanups, and interpretive tours

Outdoor Features & Public Art

The waterfront area adjacent to the Museum Campus includes:

Beach access and piers where visitors can kayak, fish, or enjoy views across the Bay

Wooden boat displays and interpretive markers illustrating boatbuilding traditions

Public mural: A striking, 60-foot Chesapeake-themed mural painted by artist Cindy Fletcher Holden depicting the wildlife and culture of the Bay in vibrant detail

Visitor Information

Museum Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Closed Mondays and major holidays

Admission:
Adults: $7
Seniors, Students, and Kids (ages 3–12): $5
Children under 3, Veterans, SNAP/EBT cardholders, and Active Military: Free
Admission includes access to all exhibits, aquariums, and galleries

Accessibility:
The Museum Campus is fully accessible, with ramps, wide galleries, and accessible restrooms. The Nature Park features gravel and boardwalk trails that may be uneven in parts but are navigable for most visitors.

Cultural and Community Impact

The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park is more than just a museum-it’s a living, breathing cultural institution. It plays a vital role in preserving the maritime heritage of Annapolis and the greater Chesapeake region while fostering an informed and environmentally conscious public. Its programs bring together historians, ecologists, artists, schoolchildren, and community leaders, making it a dynamic venue for both preservation and innovation.

Conclusion

With its combination of historical storytelling, hands-on ecological education, and scenic waterfront experience, the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park offers a rare and immersive glimpse into the intertwined lives of people, the sea, and the Bay. Whether you’re exploring the artifacts of the McNasby Oyster Company, sailing on a traditional skipjack, or walking through tidal marshes with schoolchildren learning about oyster reefs, the museum delivers a memorable, meaningful connection to the Chesapeake Bay and its enduring legacy.