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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THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

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Museum Challenge!
TONIGHT — MARYLAND PREMIERE!
Happy Birthday!
Belated Happy Birthday!
MARYLAND PREMIERE — THIS FRIDAY!
The Havre de Grace Decoy Museum will be closed tomorrow for the safety of staff and visitors. The museum offices will be open and available by phone and email.
CALL FOR EXHIBITORS!
Remembering a Local Legend
MARYLAND PREMIERE — THIS FRIDAY!
We are grateful for all the Havre de Grace City employees working hard to get all of the businesses open as quickly as possible.
Tuesday Decoy of the Day
As we get closer to the Maryland Premiere, we wanted to share a recent article you might enjoy about The Conspiracists – A Comedy Mockumentary!
Can you find it?
Where in the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum is the duck button hidden?
Come explore our exhibits and see if you can spot this little surprise.
Share your guesses in the comments — let’s see who’s the ultimate museum detective!
Don’t miss The Conspiracists at State Theatre Havre de Grace — featuring the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum on screen!
Tickets: https://www.thestatehavredegrace.org/movie/the-conspirasists
Laughter, local history, and a fun night out — get your seats before they’re gone!
#TheConspiracists #MarylandPremiere #HavreDeGrace #DecoyMuseum #IndieFilm #ComedyMockumentary #FilmPremiere #MovieNight
The Havre de Grace Decoy Museum wishes a special birthday remembrance to Walter Derridinger Sellers (1890–1969) of Silver Spring.
We honor his legacy and contributions, remembering him with admiration on this day.
The Havre de Grace Decoy Museum sends a warm belated birthday remembrance to Horace Graham (1893–1981) of Charlestown, whose life and contributions to decoy carving continue to inspire us.
We honor his legacy and celebrate him, even if a little late!
The Havre de Grace Decoy Museum stars on screen in the new comedy mockumentary The Conspiracists! Catch it at its Maryland Premiere this Friday at State Theatre Havre de Grace.
Tickets: https://www.thestatehavredegrace.org/movie/the-conspirasists
Read more: Broadway World by Chloe Rabinowitz https://www.broadwayworld.com/delaware/article/Independent-Film-THE-CONSPIRACISTS-to-Debut-at-The-Grand-Opera-House-20260105
See the museum on the big screen — don’t miss it!
#TheConspiracists #MarylandPremiere #HavreDeGrace #DecoyMuseum #IndieFilm #ComedyMockumentary #FilmPremiere #MovieNight
- Heather Hollenbeck, Executive Director, 410-942-4024, executivedirector@decoymuseum.com
- Nathaniel "Nate" Heasley, Curatorial Coordinator, 410-942-4072, curator2@decoymuseum.com
The 44th Havre de Grace Decoy & Wildlife Art Festival is coming, and we’re looking for talented artists, carvers, and exhibitors to join us! Showcase your work, connect with collectors, and be part of this beloved community tradition.
Festival Info & Exhibitor Details: https://decoymuseum.com/decoy-festival/
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this year’s celebration of decoy and wildlife art!
#DecoyFestival #WildlifeArt #HavreDeGrace #ArtistsCall #ExhibitorsWanted #DecoyCollectors #ArtFestival #MarylandEvents
Today, January 28, we honor the birthday of Fray James "Jimmy" Harold (1948–2018) of Havre de Grace. Jimmy’s contributions and spirit left a lasting mark on our community, and we remember him fondly today.
In memory of a life well-lived and a legacy that continues to inspire.
#RememberingJimmyHarold #HavreDeGrace #CommunityLegacy #InMemoriam
Please join us this Friday at the State Theatre Havre de Grace for the Maryland Premiere of The Conspiracists — a clever comedy mockumentary that’s earning buzz beyond Maryland.
MARYLAND PREMIERE TICKET LINK: https://www.thestatehavredegrace.org/movie/the-conspirasists
Press hit: Delaware Online By Andre Lamar
https://www.delawareonline.com/story/entertainment/movies/2026/01/07/delaware-comedy-the-conspiracists-to-hit-amazon-has-eagles-legend/88046087007/
Grab your tickets, bring a friend, and enjoy a great night of film right here in Havre de Grace. We’d love to see the community out to celebrate this special premiere!
#TheConspiracists #MarylandPremiere #StateTheatreHdG #HavreDeGrace #IndieFilm #ComedyMockumentary #FilmPremiere #SupportIndependentFilm #MovieNight #MarylandEvents
This cork Brant decoy by R. Madison Mitchell highlights how decoy makers didn’t limit themselves to wood alone. Cork was a popular alternative material—lightweight, durable, and perfect for open-water hunting conditions.
This piece is also a great example of a non-duck decoy used in the field. While ducks are the most commonly recognized, hunters also relied on decoys representing geese, including Brant, Canada geese, and snow geese, as well as shorebirds, to successfully attract game.
Decoys like this one showcase the innovation, craftsmanship, and variety found in the rich tradition of American waterfowling.
On view at the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum
We’re especially proud to share that the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum is an official filming location in the movie, putting our unique space on the big screen.
📍 Join us this Friday at The State Theatre in Havre de Grace as we celebrate the Maryland Premiere and support this fun, thought-provoking film.
🎟 MARYLAND PREMIERE TICKETS:
https://www.thestatehavredegrace.org/movie/the-conspirasists
Recent coverage: Vocal.Media / Geeks By David Cook
“The Conspiracists Is Less About Secrets and More About Us”
https://vocal.media/geeks/the-conspiracists-is-less-about-secrets-and-more-about-us
We’d love to see our community there—don’t miss it!
