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 hunterβs 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 collectorβs mantelpiece than floating in a hunterβs 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 βDecoy Capital of the World!β
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
THE HAVRE DE GRACE DECOY CAM
WE ARE ON INSTAGRAM!
πͺ΅π Calling All Carvers! ππͺ΅
Weβre excited to announce TWO new temporary exhibits now on view at the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum!
ποΈ Shop the Store Wednesdays! ποΈ
π Calling All Carvers!
ποΈ Shop the Store Wednesdays! ποΈ
π¨ HOTEL PARTNERSHIP FOR THE FESTIVAL WEEKEND
π Honoring Leadership
Carving competitions will be held Saturday, May 2 ONLY in the small gym at the STAR Centre during the 44th Annual Decoy & Wildlife Art Festival.
Competitions include:
β’ Decorative Carving Competition
β’ Floating Working Decoy Competition
β’ J. Evans McKinney Old Decoy Competition
β° Registration begins at 9:00 AM
π¦ Entries must remain until 4:00 PM
π¦ Pick-up required NO LATER than 5:00 PM on May 2
A full copy of rules, divisions, and prizes is available at: www.decoymuseum.com
We invite you to share this with fellow carvers who may wish to compete!
#DecoyCarving #CarversCompetition #DecoyFestival #FolkArtTradition
#chesapeakeheritage
44th Annual Decoy & Wildlife Art Festival
π
May 2β3, 2026
π STAR Centre
700 Congress Ave, Havre de Grace
π Saturday, May 2: 9:00 AM β 5:00 PM
π Sunday, May 3: 9:00 AM β 3:00 PM
π Sponsored by the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum
π Honorary Chairman: Chad Tragakis
#WildlifeArt #DecoyCarving #ChesapeakeHeritage #HavreDeGraceMD #AmericanFolkArt #MuseumSupport
Thanks to our incredible partnerships, visitors can experience:
- The Work of Oliver βTutsβ Lawson
Presented by the Delmarva Decoy Collectors Association, this exhibit showcases the craftsmanship and legacy of Oliver "Tuts" Lawson, a respected name in decoy carving.
- Shorebird Hunting with Bob Seabrook
Brought to us by the New Jersey Decoy Collectors Association, this exhibit explores the traditions and history of shorebird hunting through the lens of Bob Seabrook.
These special exhibits are a must-see for collectors, history enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the rich waterfowling heritage of our region.
Plan your visit today and experience these unique stories brought to life!
Get creative with the White Swan Needle Felting Kit! π¦’β¨ Perfect for crafters of all skill levels, this kit lets you create your own charming swan.
π° Only $22.25 + shipping
π Contact the museum to order: 410-939-3797 or info@decoymuseum.com
#DecoyMuseum #ShopTheStore #NeedleFelting #CraftKits #HavreDeGrace #WhiteSwanCraft
Saturday, May 2 features three exciting competitions
π¦ Decorative Carving Competition
π Floating Working Decoy Competition
π J. Evans McKinney Old Decoy Competition
Rules, divisions, and prize details are available on the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum website, https://decoymuseum.com/decoy-festival/
Pictured: John Henry with his Loon which won Best in Show in the 2025 Decorative Lifesize Floating Waterfowl and the Hooded Merganser which took 2nd best and Black Duck which took 3rd best.
44th Annual Decoy & Wildlife Art Festival
π
May 2β3, 2026
π STAR Centre
700 Congress Ave, Havre de Grace
π Saturday, May 2: 9:00 AM β 5:00 PM
π Sunday, May 3: 9:00 AM β 3:00 PM
π Sponsored by the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum
π Honorary Chairman: Chad Tragakis
#DecoyFestival #WildlifeArt #DecoyCarving #ChesapeakeHeritage #HavreDeGraceMD #AmericanFolkArt #MuseumSupport
Dive into the rich history of waterfowling with Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Decoys & Long Guns β Tales of Carroll`s Island Ducking Club by C. John Sullivan Jr. ππ¦
Explore stories, traditions, and the heritage of Chesapeake Bay hunting culture β perfect for collectors, enthusiasts, or anyone who loves a good tale of the hunt.
π° Only $24 + shipping β get your copy today!
π Contact the museum at 410-939-3797 or info@decoymuseum.com
to order.
#DecoyMuseum #ShopTheStore #ChesapeakeBay #CarrollsIsland #CJohnSullivanJr #WaterfowlHeritage #HavreDeGrace
π Make It a Weekend Getaway!
Weβve partnered with the Hilton Garden Inn Aberdeen for a special Hilton Honors Rate.
π 10 rooms currently available
π Book using: Decoy Art Festival Room Block
Enjoy the festival, explore Havre de Grace, and make it a full Harford County experience!
We are proud to welcome Chad Tragakis as the Honorary Chairman of the 44th Annual Decoy & Wildlife Art Festival.
His dedication to decoy art and Chesapeake heritage helps strengthen this long-standing tradition.
44th Annual Decoy & Wildlife Art Festival
π
May 2β3, 2026
π STAR Centre
700 Congress Ave, Havre de Grace
π Saturday, May 2: 9:00 AM β 5:00 PM
π Sunday, May 3: 9:00 AM β 3:00 PM
π Sponsored by the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum
π Honorary Chairman: Chad Tragakis
#DecoyFestival #WildlifeArt #DecoyCarving #ChesapeakeHeritage #HavreDeGraceMD #AmericanFolkArt #MuseumSupport
