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
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βπ€Susquehanna Flats Marine Exhibition βπ€
We had the pleasure of visiting the Upper Bay Museum during the Potomac Decoy Collectors Associationβs February meeting, where a fascinating piece of waterfowling history is on displayβa 2-body sink boat.
Saturday Spotlight
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
Held in conjunction with the 44th Annual Decoy & Wildlife Art Festival β and FREE admission!
Meet regional:
β’ Boat dealers
β’ Marine service providers
β’ Trailer specialists
β’ Marine electronics experts
β’ Safety equipment vendors
Whether youβre a seasoned boater or just love life on the water, thereβs something for everyone.
Same hours as the festival:
Saturday 9β5 | Sunday 9β3
Spend the day by the Bay in beautiful Havre de Grace!
These ingenious boats played a unique role in Chesapeake hunting traditions, and it was incredible to see one up close. Even more exciting, you can spot a 2-body sink boat in action right here at the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum in our Gunning the Flats exhibit, featured in our photo display.
From historic artifacts to vivid storytelling, these connections bring the regionβs rich heritage to life across museums.
Be sure to visit and explore the story for yourself!
#DecoyMuseum #UpperBayMuseum #WaterfowlingHistory #GunningTheFlats #ChesapeakeHeritage
Step into history with our detailed 3-D model of R. Madison Mitchellβs Decoy Shopβa tribute to one of Havre de Graceβs most iconic carvers and the place where countless masterpieces began.
Nowβs your chance to see craftsmanship from every angle! Come compare the model to the real decoy shop, back open to visitors this April. Itβs a unique opportunity to connect past and present in one unforgettable experience.
Plan your visit and see the legacy up closeβwe canβt wait to welcome you back!
#SaturdaySpotlight #DecoyMuseum #HavreDeGrace #MarylandHistory #WaterfowlingHeritage
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
