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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Museum Monday: Pardon our dust!
Sneak Peek Alert!
Looking for a unique venue with unforgettable views?
🎟 Raffle Ticket Details
Saturday Spotlight
The PDCA’s 2026 Annapolis Decoy Show is set for Sunday, June 7 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Annapolis Elks Lodge (2 Pythian Dr, Edgewater, MD 21037). Exhibitor set up begins at 8:00 a.m.
On Display Friday
🏆 Competition Day: Saturday, May 2
🎟 Support the Museum — Win Exceptional Prizes
Throwback Thursday
We’re excited to share that renovations are underway at the Havre de Grace Museum as we refresh the Holly Family Exhibit. We can’t wait to welcome you back to experience this updated space and learn more about the Holly family’s story. Stay tuned for progress updates.
Get ready for the 44th Annual Havre de Grace Decoy & Wildlife Art Festival with this stunning Silent Auction highlight!
✨ Mallard Pair – Drake & Hen by renowned carver Jim Pierce
This beautifully crafted duo captures the elegance and detail that make decoy art so special—an incredible addition for collectors and wildlife art enthusiasts alike.
Stay tuned as we reveal more exclusive auction items you won’t want to miss!
#HdGDecoyFestival #WildlifeArt #DecoyCarving #SilentAuction #HavreDeGrace
Carver’s Gallery at the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum is available for rent!
Perfect for baby showers, bridal showers, anniversaries, class reunions, meetings, celebrations of life, and more—Carver’s Gallery provides a memorable setting your guests will love.
We’ve already hosted incredible experiences—like No Tell Comedy’s show this past February—and we’re ready for what’s next!
Call the museum today (410) 939 - 3739, ask for Heather Hollenbeck, to reserve your date and host your next event in a truly one-of-a-kind location.
🎫 Tickets:
• $5 each
• 6 for $25
• 10 for $40
🏆 Prizes include:
🥇 $500
🥈 Pintail Drake by John Eichelberger Jr.
🥉 Carolyn W. Colburn Print
🏅 “The Bachelors” Figurine by Art LaMay
📅 Drawing: Sunday, May 3 at 2:00 PM
(Attendance not required)
We’re highlighting our “Gunning the Flats” exhibit!
Step into the world of traditional waterfowling along the Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna Flats—once one of the most important hunting grounds in the country. This exhibit brings the history to life with decoys, gear, and stories that capture the spirit of those who worked and hunted these waters.
From skilled boatmen to master carvers, “Gunning the Flats” explores the deep connection between the region’s culture, wildlife, and craftsmanship.
Come experience this immersive look at a defining part of Havre de Grace’s heritage!
#SaturdaySpotlight #GunningTheFlats #ChesapeakeBay #DecoyHistory #HdGDecoyMuseum
This will be the 10th Annual Annapolis Decoy Show – and the show seems to keep getting better and better. Last year’s crowd was outstanding, and from 9:00-11:00 a.m., it was almost impossible to walk through the aisles. The addition of the Sam Dyke Memorial Old Decoy Contest with our friends from the Ward Foundation was a huge hit and will be included again this year.
Annapolis has become one of the top one-day shows on the decoy circuit, attracting outstanding attendance, a great mix of leading dealers and award-winning contemporary carvers. It’s also become a popular show for longtime collectors looking to downsize, sell and trade, so you never know what fresh-to-the market items are going to show up.
If you have any questions, please contact me at chad.tragakis@gmail.com or call me at (703) 593
This week’s feature is a Decoy Pattern by Joel Barber, a foundational figure in the world of decoy collecting and research.
Barber’s work helped elevate decoys from utilitarian hunting tools to recognized works of American folk art. This pattern offers a fascinating glimpse into the design and craftsmanship behind these iconic pieces.
We are grateful to Guyette & Deeter, Inc. for their generous gift, helping us preserve and share this important piece of decoy history.
Come see it on display and explore the legacy of one of the pioneers of decoy appreciation!
#OnDisplayFriday #JoelBarber #DecoyHistory #FolkArt #HdGDecoyMuseum
Whether you carve decorative pieces, working decoys, or historic forms, there’s a place for your work at this year’s festival.
📄 Full rules and prize descriptions are posted online.
📣 Help us spread the word to fellow carvers!
Our 2026 Spring Raffle Fundraiser supports the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum’s:
✔ Exhibits
✔ Educational programs
✔ Preservation efforts
Your participation helps preserve and share Chesapeake decoy carving traditions for future generations.
This week we’re flipping back to 1992 with a special piece of our history—the Canvasback Magazine, proudly generated by the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum.
Publications like this helped share the stories, craftsmanship, and traditions of decoy carving with a wider audience, connecting enthusiasts across the region and beyond. From carver spotlights to waterfowling heritage, the Canvasback Magazine captured a moment in time when the art form continued to grow and evolve.
Do you have a copy of this issue or remember reading it when it was published? We’d love to hear your memories!
#ThrowbackThursday #DecoyMuseum #CanvasbackMagazine #HavreDeGrace #WaterfowlingHistory
