The Havre de Grace Maritime Museum
The Havre de Grace Maritime Museum
The Havre de Grace Maritime Museum
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
62 within 5 kms
Attractions
64 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
57 reviews
Excellent
29
Very good
16
Average
9
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Bill B
Bel Air, MD19,184 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
Since Havre de Grace is at the beginning of the Chesapeake Bay, it is only fitting that a Maritime Museum is located here. The staff member at the entrance provided valuable guidance and information. Exhibits take us from the archeological examinations of the Susquehannock tribes who inhabited the area, to incursions of the early Europeans, through the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. The displays include both artifacts as well as well researched narrative panels that are easy to read. Among displays on life and earning a living along the Bay, I was particularly struck by a display on the ice harvesting industry, which we may never see again due to global warming. It was fun to visit the turtle tank on the lower level as well as the art gallery, and boat workshop. The areas are spacious and easy to navigate with plenty of natural light. The visit was real value for the small entrance fee that along with donations maintains the museum.
Written 4 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarylandCatmom
Odenton, MD47 contributions
Jun 2022
From Native peoples in the region centuries ago through the arrival of Europeans up to current maritime endeavors and equipment, this museum covers it all. Recent efforts to make it less Euro-centric have resulted in displays on enslaved persons in the area. The lower level has some information about water-living fauna; it would be very nice to see this expanded. Another area on the lower houses some historic watercraft, some of which are being restored on site.
Written 13 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maurene_K
Dover, NH12,327 contributions
Sept 2014 • Friends
The Havre de Grace Maritime Museum is adjacent to the Concord Point Lighthouse, Havre de Grace Promenade, and Tydings Park. The Havre de Grace Decoy Museum is also nearby. One can take in all these attractions from one parking space. No need to drive from place to place! There is plenty of free parking along Concord Street and Lafayette Street.
Admission is free but a donation of $2.00 per person is requested.
We visited this museum after visiting the lighthouse and walking on the Promenade.
Before going up a flight of stairs to the main part of the museum, we began our visit in the Boat Shop at street level. The boatwright was at work on the hull of a small sailboat. The boatwright told me that outside of the channels, most of the Upper Chesapeake Bay around Havre de Grace is about chest deep. On him, that would be about 5 feet deep.
The shallow depth precipitated a discussion of the gundalows, nearly flat-bottomed barge-like boats that used lateen sails and tidal currents to transport people and goods in the shallow waters of the rivers and bays near Portsmouth and Dover, NH and South Berwick, ME. Mariners in Maryland used something similar only there they called them scows. There was a model of a scow in the museum. It closely resembled a gundalow.
The exhibits and a video tell the story of the area’s maritime history from the time of the Native Americans.
The exhibit titled “Beyond Jamestown: Life 400 Years Ago” has a video related video that shows a reenactment of Capt. John Smith’s exploration and mapping of the Chesapeake Bay and several rivers that flow into it. They traveled the shallow waters in shallops. The video’s narrator said that his maps were perhaps the most accurate maps ever done of the area. Smith was seeking the Northwest Passage to Asia. He did establish trade with Native American settlements he encountered.
The “Working on the Bay” exhibit tells the history of fishing in Chesapeake Bay. Commercial fishing was once a thriving business. But, overfishing and the construction of Conowingo Dam in the Susquehanna River contributed to dwindling stock of oysters, crab, and fish. Today, there are very few commercial fishermen.
As a historian particularly interested in the Colonial Period through the War of 1812, I especially liked two timely special exhibits related to the War of 1812:
1) “Naval History In The War of 1812” recounts how the British attacked America’s major coastal cities of Washington, Baltimore and New Orleans and were met at each city by the American Navy, Army and militia forces.
2) “The Rodgers Family and The War of 1812” tells about several family members who became naval heroes in several wars and attained the ranks of Commodore and Captain.
The museum also offers lectures for adults and educational programs for the youngsters.
We also visited the museum’s What Knots Maritime Gift Shop for a few souvenirs. Offerings included books for children and adults, puzzles, games, stuffed animals, CD’s, jewelry, T-shirts, postcards, key rings, refrigerator magnets, and more. I got postcards and a T-shirt.
We enjoyed our visit to this small but nicely done museum. We would visit again whenever we return to the Havre de Grace area.
If you found this review helpful, kindly click YES below.
Admission is free but a donation of $2.00 per person is requested.
We visited this museum after visiting the lighthouse and walking on the Promenade.
Before going up a flight of stairs to the main part of the museum, we began our visit in the Boat Shop at street level. The boatwright was at work on the hull of a small sailboat. The boatwright told me that outside of the channels, most of the Upper Chesapeake Bay around Havre de Grace is about chest deep. On him, that would be about 5 feet deep.
The shallow depth precipitated a discussion of the gundalows, nearly flat-bottomed barge-like boats that used lateen sails and tidal currents to transport people and goods in the shallow waters of the rivers and bays near Portsmouth and Dover, NH and South Berwick, ME. Mariners in Maryland used something similar only there they called them scows. There was a model of a scow in the museum. It closely resembled a gundalow.
The exhibits and a video tell the story of the area’s maritime history from the time of the Native Americans.
The exhibit titled “Beyond Jamestown: Life 400 Years Ago” has a video related video that shows a reenactment of Capt. John Smith’s exploration and mapping of the Chesapeake Bay and several rivers that flow into it. They traveled the shallow waters in shallops. The video’s narrator said that his maps were perhaps the most accurate maps ever done of the area. Smith was seeking the Northwest Passage to Asia. He did establish trade with Native American settlements he encountered.
The “Working on the Bay” exhibit tells the history of fishing in Chesapeake Bay. Commercial fishing was once a thriving business. But, overfishing and the construction of Conowingo Dam in the Susquehanna River contributed to dwindling stock of oysters, crab, and fish. Today, there are very few commercial fishermen.
As a historian particularly interested in the Colonial Period through the War of 1812, I especially liked two timely special exhibits related to the War of 1812:
1) “Naval History In The War of 1812” recounts how the British attacked America’s major coastal cities of Washington, Baltimore and New Orleans and were met at each city by the American Navy, Army and militia forces.
2) “The Rodgers Family and The War of 1812” tells about several family members who became naval heroes in several wars and attained the ranks of Commodore and Captain.
The museum also offers lectures for adults and educational programs for the youngsters.
We also visited the museum’s What Knots Maritime Gift Shop for a few souvenirs. Offerings included books for children and adults, puzzles, games, stuffed animals, CD’s, jewelry, T-shirts, postcards, key rings, refrigerator magnets, and more. I got postcards and a T-shirt.
We enjoyed our visit to this small but nicely done museum. We would visit again whenever we return to the Havre de Grace area.
If you found this review helpful, kindly click YES below.
Written 22 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HistoricalEnthusiast
Havre de Grace, MD2 contributions
Jul 2012 • Friends
I used to go to the museum and get live demonstrations from the Boat Building School. Since they were kicked out, there isn't much left. At least the Boat School found a new home in North East. Save your time and go to a Maritime Museum with boats!
Written 24 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tomjohnsonmedland
Mount Joy, PA1,607 contributions
Aug 2017
Another sensational Havre De Grace museum. This one is so well organized, clean and laid-out that it only adds to the wonderful collection they have to exhibit. From early Native American inhabitants to the nautical history of the area, these well designed exhibits do justice to their themes. The readings placed with the exhibits are not too lengthy and they are helpful. The artifacts are in excellent condition as well. A really good thing to do in the town. Very cheap.
Written 15 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue4452
Forest Hill, MD28 contributions
It is a great location and nice building, however, collection is not extensive. Also, they have recently asked the boat building group to move out. Wrong!
Written 10 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DelawarianFemale
Delaware, US40 contributions
The maritime museum in Havre de Grace is a small, local museum that showcases a lot of local tools of the trade. We spent about 30 minutes wandering the museum and enjoyed learning about maritime history, looking at crab pots, ship models and bathing suits of the olden days. We were the only people there except for the receptionist. They have a new display called "Beyond Jamestown: Life 400 years ago" that has a more current hands-on approach which is probably more kid-friendly than just reading the placards in the main section of the museum. They have wooden boat building sessions on Tuesday nights were 40 people come together to work on their boats in the lower section of the building that sounded interesting...although we weren't there on a Tuesday so that area was closed. I would not go out of my way to see this museum unless I was very interested in maritime history of the region, however, if you are wandering around the promenade by the bay waiting for a tour on the Skipjack Martha Lewis, it's worth popping in for 20 - 30 minutes to wander around. The museum is right next to a classic light house as well, although the lighthouse is only open for the public on weekends. We enjoyed the tour of the Lockhouse Museum more where they explained about how the mules pulled the barges up the river and told us about life for the families living on the boats..
Written 27 August 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MysteryTraveler1956
Elkton, MD202 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
We visit for classes put on by the Coast Guard, and by the Upper Bay Wildlife folks. The museum opens it's doors to those seeking to educate and enrich the lives of it's attendees and neighbors.
They also have concerts with local artists playing folk songs and songs of seafaring and making a hardscratch life on the water.
But the cool part is the displays and artifacts that they have gathered and displayed. I grew up around here on the water. So a lot of maritime, nautical and Chesapeake Bay stuff was just common things of the area to me.
Until I saw them on display, learned the true history and stories behind the gems, and the people. It truly gave me a sense of belonging.
If you feel drawn to, or have any history with the Chesapeake Bay or any of it's tributaries, you owe it to yourself to visit the museum.
They also have concerts with local artists playing folk songs and songs of seafaring and making a hardscratch life on the water.
But the cool part is the displays and artifacts that they have gathered and displayed. I grew up around here on the water. So a lot of maritime, nautical and Chesapeake Bay stuff was just common things of the area to me.
Until I saw them on display, learned the true history and stories behind the gems, and the people. It truly gave me a sense of belonging.
If you feel drawn to, or have any history with the Chesapeake Bay or any of it's tributaries, you owe it to yourself to visit the museum.
Written 1 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
31792Hutch
Port Deposit, MD38 contributions
Feb 2016 • Business
Havre de Grace is a very cool and historic town at the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay. The maritime museum would be great without the blowhard, obviously alcoholic, yahoo that provides tours there. Judgmental, very ignorant, and seemingly had a total agenda of god-knows-what that was making everyone there uncomfortable. The museum is bits and pieces of stuff with the only curated exhibit being one on the Susquehancok Indians. I was reminded of what JFK said about Maryland: "All the efficiency of the south; all the charm of the north." Not recommended.
Written 20 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingCoyote
Rising Sun, MD105 contributions
Four of us spent a rainy Sunday afternoon there and learned a good deal of history of the local area. From the outside there is a large boat propeller and you can see the Concord Point Lighthouse. There is a wonderful little boardwalk along the water too. Parking is up the hill in a lot or down the hill/stairs along the road. Inside, we were able to see the new Jamestown exhibit, the regular navigational displays and unique gift shop. Bring your camera and take some interesting shots of pieces such as the binnacle and petroglyphs. Some items are on loan so they won't be there all the time either. They host 'Boat Making' schools and the gift shop has nautical items for all ages. The website is helpful too. Adults will spend more time there looking and reading about the exhibits than children will but they do host educational classes for kids during the week. Definitely worth the $4 per person donation.
Written 25 August 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing