Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum's waterfront campus offers breathtaking views of the Miles River

Image by George Sass.

Quick Facts

Location:

213 N Talbot Street, St. Michaels, MD

Significance:

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum preserves and explores the region’s maritime heritage and ecology, connecting visitors to the Chesapeake Bay watershed and enhancing the NPS Chesapeake Gateways and Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail experience through exhibitions and programming on its waterfront campus.

Designation:

Chesapeake Gateways Network Site

MANAGED BY:

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

Amenities

5 listed

Dock/Pier, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Internet/WiFi Available, Parking - Auto

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) occupies an 18-acre waterfront campus on Navy Point along the Miles River in St. Michaels, Maryland. Founded in 1965 on the former site of seafood packing houses, docks, and workboats, the museum has grown into the only institution dedicated exclusively to the maritime history, culture, and ecology of the entire Chesapeake Bay region.

As a Chesapeake Gateways Network Site, CBMM connects visitors to the living story of the Bay through world-class exhibitions, a floating fleet of historic vessels, and a working Shipyard where skilled craftspeople restore traditional wooden boats using time-honored techniques. The campus includes the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse, which visitors can climb for sweeping views of the Miles River. At Waterman's Wharf, guests try their hand at oyster tonging and crab pot hauling, while the Oystering on the Chesapeake exhibit traces the industry that shaped the region's culture and economy for generations.

The museum also supports the story of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, whose water routes pass through the very waters Smith explored in the early 17th century. Educational programs serve visitors of all ages, covering maritime history, boatbuilding, navigation, environmental stewardship, and traditional crafts. Seasonal festivals and cultural events bring the heritage of the Eastern Shore to life throughout the year.

To plan a visit and explore upcoming programs, visit the museum's website.