The Annapolis Maritime Museum seeks to connect the richness of the maritime heritage of the Annapolis area with our local youth and adults.The Museum operates from a waterside campus on the shores of Back Creek, with unequaled views of Annapolis Harbor and the Chesapeake Bay.
The Museum campus is the site of the last remaining oyster packing plant in the area, the McNasby's Oyster Packing Company. The McNasby building was severely damaged by Hurricane Isabel in 2003, but has been restored, thanks to community support, as the Bay Experience Center -- an interactive facility like no other. It is now home to our signature exhibit, "Oysters on the Half Shell." Programming, such as our popular summer concert series and winter lecture series, continues.
The Museum's activities have grown through the years with community support and sheer determination, first in our other campus building, the 650 square-foot Barge House, restored through volunteer efforts and in-kind donations, and now in the McNasby building. The Museum is host to meetings, community events, lectures, concerts, and children's educational activities. It is the launching point for the Museum's tours to the iconic Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse -- the most famous symbol of the upper Chesapeake Bay.
With a great deal of community support, the Museum has continued to do great things -- full steam ahead! We have accomplished much and there are big plans in the offing. Join us. Participate in history and in keeping history alive.
The Museum's exhibition gallery is open with the signature exhibit, "Oysters on the Half Shell." Regular hours are Thursday-Sunday, noon - 4 p.m., and for seminars, concerts and other meetings and programs by appointment. The Museum office is open for business 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Click on Calendar for an up-to-date listing.
Winter Lecture Series - Thursday, Jan. 26
Stephen R. Brown, Tidewater: the Chesapeake Bay in Photographs
Washington, D.C., photographer Stephen R. Brown shares his experiences sailing the Bay. Images from the book will be on exhibit in the Buchanan Bay Room.
.Read more
On Exhibit Now
Cannon from Chesapeake Oyster Wars
A 12-pound Dahlgren light boat howitzer that was used by Maryland's Oyster Police during the famed "oyster wars" of the 1800s is on display in the Museum. Read a story about this artifact published The Capital.
Original photo by Joshua McKerrow for The Capital
On the Horizon
Second Annual Oyster Roast - Saturday, March 24
Read more
Congratulations to our 2011 Volunteer of the Year, Tom Cagle!
2011 Boat Show Bash Photos by John Bildahl Online
Wooden Boat Crew Restores Historic 1925 Draketail ... read more
See the crew's website!
Read about the Museum's accomplishments in 2010 • Volunteer of the Year
The second printing of Over the Bridge: A History of Eastport at Annapolis, a 368-page hardback by Ginger Doyel, is in! If you didn't get your copy because we sold out of the first printing, call us now. Read more about the book.
Interested in renting our facility?
Please call 410 295-0104
