Last updated: July 23, 2025
Place
J. Millard Tawes Historical Museum
Eric Long, Crisfield MD
Quick Facts
Location:
3 Ninth Street, Crisfield MD 21817
Significance:
The J. Millard Tawes Historical Museum preserves and interprets the Chesapeake Bay’s cultural, maritime, and indigenous heritage through exhibits representing the Eastern Shore’s rich history.
Designation:
National Register of Historic Places; Chesapeake Gateways Network Site
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
5 listed
Accessible Rooms, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Pets Allowed
The J. Millard Tawes Historical Museum, operated by the Crisfield Heritage Foundation, invites visitors to explore the rich cultural and maritime heritage of Crisfield and the broader Eastern Shore. As a Chesapeake Gateways Place, the museum highlights the Chesapeake region’s deep ties to the Bay’s waterways, industries, and traditions.
Visitors will find authentic photographs, artifacts, and exhibits featuring Eastern Shore Native American history, the crabbing and oystering industries, Chesapeake Bay boats, traditional tools, and Crisfield’s renowned decoy carvers. Changing exhibits throughout the year offer fresh perspectives and connections to the area's evolving story. Every display is accompanied by interpretive information, helping guests understand the profound influence of the Bay on local culture and economy.
Known locally as the Tawes Museum, this site serves as the central hub for the Crisfield Heritage Foundation’s programs. It traces the area's history from its earliest inhabitants over 10,000 years ago to Crisfield’s era as the seafood capital of the world. While rooted in Crisfield’s story, the museum’s exhibits represent the wider Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia.
Docent-led tours are available by appointment. Plan your visit and discover the spirit of Chesapeake life by exploring the museum’s exhibits and the surrounding area's rich heritage.