WELCOME TO THE HAVRE DE GRACE DECOY MUSEUM
Located on the banks of the historic Susquehanna Flats, the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum houses one of the finest collections of working and decorative Chesapeake Bay decoys ever assembled. The museum was established in 1986 as a private, non-profit institution existing to preserve the historical and cultural legacy of waterfowling and decoy making on the Chesapeake Bay.
Decoys have been a central element of Chesapeake culture for centuries. In the beginning, they were made for one purpose — to lure waterfowl within range of the hunter’s shotgun. Decoys were simple, utilitarian representations of ducks and geese rough-hewn from wood. No one considered them art. Today, decoys lure far more people than waterfowl. One is perhaps more likely to find a decoy adorning a collector’s mantelpiece than floating in a hunter’s rig. Contemporary carvers produce sophisticated works of art with century-old skills that have been passed down from master to apprentice for generations.
We invite you to visit the Decoy Museum to discover the art of decoy making and the waterfowling traditions that truly make Havre de Grace the “Decoy Capital of the World!”
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Decoy Show Alert!
Our very first Saturday Spotlight comes from Rydan Rivera (14) from Bel Air who captured this pintail and graciously shared it with the museum.
Save the Date!
On Display Friday - What is a decoy?
Happy Birthday, Dr. John A. Carriere!
Save the Date!
Throwback Thursday - A Look Back at Our Building’s History
Shop the Store Wednesday
The 55th Annual Waterfowl Festival taking place this November 15 - 26, 2026 in Easton, Md. Venues range from high-end art galleries to casual buy-sell-swap rooms. Last year`s festival attracted 35,000 people from 45 states.
Tuesday’s Decoy of the Day
Thank You, Liberty Legacy Law Group!
Introducing Saturday Spotlight!
Join the Upper Bay Decoy Collectors Club for the 5th Annual Jim Pierce Sportsman & Decoy Show on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm!
Minker Banquet Hall - 920 Principio Furnace Road
Perryville, MD 21903
This must-see event celebrates the rich traditions of waterfowling, decoy carving, and sporting heritage. Browse an outstanding selection of decoys, wildlife art, sporting collectibles, and outdoor history, and connect with fellow collectors, carvers, and enthusiasts from across the region.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just discovering the artistry of decoys, this show offers something for everyone. Mark your calendar and don’t miss it!
Save the date & spread the word!
Join fellow collectors and outdoor enthusiasts at the 18th Annual Susquehanna Vintage Hunting & Fishing Collectibles Show!
Saturday, January 21, 2026 from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the Level Volunteer Fire Hall
- 3633 Level Village Rd, Havre de Grace, MD
Browse an outstanding selection of vintage hunting and fishing collectibles, meet knowledgeable vendors, and connect with others who share a passion for outdoor heritage.
Food and drinks available on site
For more information: Pat Vincenti – 410-937-8193 or Chuck Usilton – 443-252-0685
Mark your calendar and plan to spend the day celebrating sporting history in the Susquehanna region!
At the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum, that question is answered the moment you step inside.
Our “What Is a Decoy?” exhibit is a permanent, large-scale exhibition that begins right at museum admission and sets the stage for everything that follows. Through regional styles, historic examples, and artistic interpretations, this exhibit explores how decoys have been used, crafted, and cherished across time and flyways.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime supporter, this foundational exhibit offers insight into the function, artistry, and cultural significance of decoys—helping every guest see them as both tools and works of art.
On display every day...Included with museum admission
Stop in this Friday and rediscover the story that starts it all at the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum.
Today we celebrate the birthday of John A. Carriere, MD—a man whose dedication and passion left a lasting mark on both the Havre de Grace community and the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum.
For more than 30 years, Dr. Carriere served as a respected obstetrician and gynecologist, caring for generations of families in Havre de Grace with compassion and professionalism. Beyond his medical career, he was deeply proud of his service to the Decoy Museum, where he served as President from Fall 1997 through Fall 2001. During his leadership, he played an important role in advancing the museum’s national accreditation, strengthening its mission and future.
An avid and knowledgeable collector, Dr. Carriere had a particular passion for decoys by McGaw, Mitchell, Currier, Fallon, and Joiner. Inspired after closely studying Bob McGaw’s miniature carvings, he began carving his own interpretations—adding the role of artist to his many contributions to the decoy community.
Today, we honor and remember Dr. Carriere for his service, leadership, and enduring love of decoy art and heritage.
The 8th Annual Charlie Joiner Memorial Decoy Show.
This beloved annual event honors the legacy of Charlie Joiner and supports the future of decoy carving and waterfowl art in our community. All proceeds benefit the Charlie Joiner / Charlie Bryan Endowment Account at the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum, helping preserve this important heritage for generations to come.
Food is available: Galena Volunteer Fire Company & Auxiliary will be on site with food for purchase.
Inquiries: Please contact Allan Schauber at (410) 708-7011 for additional details.
Mark your calendar! Your support makes a lasting impact.
This historic photograph from the museum’s lobby shows the building as it appeared when the founders of the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum first encountered it in the mid-1980s.
Originally constructed in the 1920s, this structure served as the garage, and swimming pool building for the adjoining hotel. A 1921 Sanborn fire map shows that the garage and pool were built first, followed by the hotel itself. Promotional materials from our archives even highlight a rooftop garden and dance floor, making the hotel a lively destination in its day.
After a series of fires, the hotel eventually closed and, in 1953, became a villa for the Franciscan Sisters. During this period, the garage and pool building went largely unused and fell into disrepair—a condition that continued after the Sisters left and the hotel sat vacant for several years. Numerous ideas were proposed to revitalize the space, including use as a local library branch, but none came to fruition.
In the early 1980s, the vision of our founding members gave this building new life when it was selected as the future home of the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum. Around the same time, the former hotel building was converted into private condominiums, which remain today.
From forgotten structure to cultural landmark, this building’s story mirrors the spirit of preservation at the heart of our museum.
#ThrowbackThursday #HavreDeGraceHistory #DecoyMuseum #PreservingThePast #MuseumMoments
Add a classic piece of wildlife art to your collection! This week we’re featuring a Porcelain Collector Plate, “The Stiff Tails” by renowned artist Maynard Reece.
- Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity
- Showcasing the timeless detail and artistry Reece is known for
- $21.20 (including tax) when purchased in person at the museum
- Shipping available if you prefer to have it mailed—shipping will be added to the final cost.
To purchase:
• Stop into the Museum Store
• Call 410-939-3937
• Email infor@decoymuseum.com
Support the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum while bringing home a beautiful collectible!
waterfowlfestival.org
Today we’re featuring a Canada Goose decoy by Albert Bell, a wonderful example of his craftsmanship and attention to form. The bold profile and confident carving style capture the strength and presence that make Canada Geese such iconic birds.
While geese are a different type of waterfowl than ducks, Canada Geese were—and continue to be—popular with hunters, making goose decoys an important part of waterfowling history.
Be sure to see this decoy before the exhibit leaves in March!
We’re open today from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Stop by the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum to experience remarkable decoys like this one up close and explore the stories behind the birds, the carvers, and the culture they represent.
The Havre de Grace Decoy Museum is grateful to Liberty Legacy Law Group for their generosity as a sponsor and patron of our Inaugural Carvers & Collectors Dinner in December.
Their support went beyond one evening—it helped strengthen community connections, celebrate regional artistry, and ensure that the traditions of decoy carving and waterfowling heritage remain accessible to the public. Because of partners like Liberty Legacy Law Group, the museum can continue to educate, inspire, and serve our community year-round.
We truly appreciate their investment in local culture, history, and the people who bring it to life.
Thank you for making a meaningful difference in our community!
The Havre de Grace Decoy Museum is excited to launch Saturday Spotlight—a new way to celebrate the stories, artistry, and wildlife that connect us all.
We’re inviting you to be part of it!
Send us your photos to info@decoymuseum.com, and you may be featured on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
What can you share?
• Favorite or special-to-you decoys
• Carvers in their element
• Waterfowl in the wild
• Moments that capture your passion for decoy art and waterfowling traditions
By submitting, you’re giving us permission to share your photos and help celebrate the common interests that unite our community.
Watch for our first Saturday Spotlight feature this weekend—and maybe it will be yours!
Like, follow, and share to spread the word.
