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Sherize Urquhart has joined the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum as Director of Marketing & Communications.

Sherize Urquhart has joined the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum as Director of Marketing & Communications.

ST. MICHAELS, Md., Sept. 22, 2023 – Sherize Urquhart has joined the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum as Director of Marketing & Communications.

In this senior leadership position, Urquhart is responsible for overseeing and executing comprehensive communications strategies to advance CBMM’s mission.

A St. Michaels resident, Urquhart brings a demonstrated history of excellence as a marketing and communications professional and entrepreneur within the travel and tourism industry. She is the founder and Chief Experience Officer of Queens of Virtue, an award-winning travel brand specializing in luxury experiences for affluent women.

Through the firm, Urquhart has created a network to help brands, professionals, and influencers connect with an emphasis on putting diversity, equity, and inclusion at the forefront of these relationships.

In her new position, Urquhart is excited about finding opportunities to strengthen CBMM’s connections within the local community that she calls home while cultivating new partnerships within the state, region, and beyond.

“After leaving the corporate world in 2021 to pursue entrepreneurship full-time, I had no desire to work for anyone. But there was something about the call to leadership at CBMM that resonated with me. I saw it as an opportunity to make a difference, an impact, and be a part of the culture and community of the Eastern Shore, all at once,” Urquhart said.

A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Urquhart holds degrees from Florida International University (Journalism & Photography) and Long Island University (Communications & Media Arts) as well as industry certifications from NYU, Florida Atlantic, Delaware, and The Travel Institute.

She has deep experience in content creation, public relations, marketing, and event management serving a variety of clients through the years, including Wanderful, a global lifestyle brand that helps women connect through travel.

Locally, Urquhart has worked in mental health and healthcare marketing and event management in Easton, Cambridge, and Annapolis.

Urquhart relocated to the Eastern Shore with her son Ayden in 2019, after her oldest daughter, Kayla, graduated from the University of Delaware, and moved to Ireland to study law, and her second daughter, Krysta, stayed in Delaware to complete her degree at Wilmington University.

Drawn by the sweet “Hallmark Town” appeal, Urquhart felt that St. Michaels would be the perfect quaint hometown to raise her son and start over. Always down for an adventure, she has enjoyed exploring CBMM’s campus and experiencing its annual events this summer, and she is passionate about sharing both with new audiences moving forward.

In a short time, Urquhart has already made a difference at CBMM with her energy and innovation.

“We are delighted to welcome Sherize as the newest addition to CBMM’s Senior Leadership Team,” CBMM President & CEO Kristen Greenaway said. “Her remarkable background and valuable insights will play a pivotal role in driving us closer to our strategic goals.”

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is a non-profit educational organization that preserves and explores the history, environment, and culture of the entire Chesapeake Bay region, and makes this resource accessible to all.

Every aspect of fulfilling this mission is driven by CBMM’s values of relevance, authenticity, and stewardship, along with a commitment to providing engaging guest experiences and transformative educational programming, all while serving as a vital community partner. For more information, visit cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.

The Talbot County Young Professionals are bringing Paddle-Jam to CBMM on Oct. 8, with the fundraiser supporting the Rising Tide after-school program.

The Talbot County Young Professionals are bringing Paddle-Jam to CBMM on Oct. 8, with the fundraiser supporting the Rising Tide after-school program.

ST. MICHAELS, Md., Sept. 21, 2023– The Talbot County Young Professionals are bringing Paddle-Jam to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum on Oct. 8, with the fundraiser supporting CBMM’s Rising Tide after-school program.

Designed to be enjoyed via kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard, Paddle-Jam is back for the first time since 2019 with a new location and community partner.

Paddlers of all levels are invited to join this 4.5-mile paddle poker “fun run” along the Miles River, beginning at 10am. The cost is $50 for participants who pre-register at bit.ly/PaddleJam2023 and $60 for day-of, in-person registration.

“We are so pleased to bring this exciting paddling event back, and what better location than the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels and the Miles River!” said Amy Kreiner, President of the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce. “Rising Tide is such a valuable program, teaching our kids about the rich history and skills of our watermen, boatbuilders and the surrounding waterways.”

This year, the Paddle-Jam course begins at CBMM’s Fogg’s Landing launch and takes participants past the iconic Hooper Strait Lighthouse, Inn at Perry Cabin, Miles River Yacht Club, and more while following the St. Michaels shoreline. Along the way, participants will receive random jumbo playing cards at various stops to create a poker hand with the best ones winning prizes.

The leisurely paddle finishes back at CBMM where the fun will continue with an After-Paddle Party featuring music, food, games, and local brews.

Registration and check-in begins at 9am that morning, with light refreshments offered. The paddle is expected to last two to three hours, and prizes will be awarded at 1pm during the After-Paddle Party.

The registration fee includes CBMM general admission to enjoy all the exhibitions and historic structures across the 18-acre waterfront campus. CBMM is also hosting the Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival that weekend.

All Paddle-Jam participants are required to wear USCG-approved PFDs, and SUP participants are required to wear a leash.

Registration fees are non-refundable. The event will take place weather permitting with no rain date. Participants should come prepared in case of wet weather.

If the Coast Guard issues a small-craft-advisory during the scheduled event time, event organizers reserve the right to cancel the event for the safety of all.

The Talbot County Young Professionals are a committee of the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce, with a goal of developing the next generation of leaders, while encouraging networking among the brightest minds in our community.

Rising Tide is CBMM’s free after-school program open to sixth through ninth graders. Since 2015, the program has taught area students the basics of boatbuilding and woodworking in a welcoming, relaxed environment, offering the opportunity to learn new skills, work with hand and power tools, and explore the environment and history of the Chesapeake region.

CBMM has a full slate of youth programs on tap this fall, with a wide variety of offerings designed to help children learn while exploring the Bay and beyond. (Photo by Sharon Thorpe)

CBMM has a full slate of youth programs on tap this fall, with a wide variety of offerings designed to help children learn while exploring the Bay and beyond. (Photo by Sharon Thorpe)

ST. MICHAELS, Md., Sept. 20, 2023 – The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum has a full slate of youth programs on tap this fall, with a wide variety of offerings designed to spark learning through exploration of the Bay and beyond.

This fall, CBMM’s after-school programs include the return of Rising Tide and Free Fishing Fridays, while Homeschool Days and Science Saturdays offer engaging examinations of important topics through the lens of CBMM’s campus and collection.

Open to sixth through ninth graders, the free Rising Tide after-school program offers the opportunity to learn new skills, work with hand and power tools, and explore the environment and history of the Chesapeake region. Projects this year will include the completion of the program’s second stand-up paddleboard, a skin-on-frame boat, and a possible replica build of a soft shell crab float in CBMM’s collection.

Rising Tide resumes next Monday, Sept. 25, and is offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30pm for a majority of the school year. After-school transportation is offered from the Easton YMCA and St. Michaels Middle/High School and back to the Easton YMCA.

All necessary tools and materials are provided, and no prior woodworking experience is necessary. Register at bit.ly/RisingTide2023 or email risingtide@cbmm.org for more information.

CBMM’s Free Fishing Fridays program invites community members of all ages for catch-and-release fishing on Fridays from 3:30-5:30pm. There are six dates on the fall calendar (Sept. 29-Oct. 20, plus Nov. 10 and 17) for this weather-permitting, drop-in program that teaches the basics of fishing, including casting techniques and fish identification.

No fishing license or equipment is required to participate. Fishing rods and bait are provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own fishing pole. Children under 10 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. Anyone interested in participating should contact Youth Programs Coordinator Sophie Stuart at 410-745-4974 or sstuart@cbmm.org.

This fall, participants in CBMM’s Rising Tide after-school program are set to take on a variety of projects, including a stand-up paddleboard and a skin-on-frame boat.

This fall, participants in CBMM’s Rising Tide after-school program are set to take on a variety of projects, including a stand-up paddleboard and a skin-on-frame boat.

A new addition to the lineup, CBMM’s Science Saturdays will be held monthly from 1-3pm rotating between Little Explorers (ages 4-7) and Curiosity Club (8-11). Under the direction of an experienced educator, participants will learn through hands-on activities that incorporate science, art, and museum exploration.

The Curiosity Club will meet Oct. 14 and Dec. 9 as well as Feb. 10 and April 13 in 2024, while the Little Explorers are scheduled for Nov. 11, plus Jan. 13 and March 9 in the new year.

Registration for all sessions is open now at bit.ly/ScienceSaturdays2023. The cost is $15 per class, with a 20% discount for CBMM Members. Need-based scholarships are available by emailing registration@cbmm.org.

CBMM is hosting upcoming Homeschool Days on Sept. 26 and 28 and special homeschool workshops on Oct. 23 and Nov. 29. On all four days, there is a morning session from 10:30am-12pm followed by an afternoon class from 1-2:30pm. To register, visit bit.ly/CBMMHomeschool.

During next week’s program, participants will participate in the Oystering Legacy immersive tour, which offers an up-close look at an oyster nursery’s crabs, fish, and baby mollusks while exploring how the oyster has shaped the Bay and its people. The cost is $5 per participating student or accompanying adult.

The Oct. 23 workshop, designed for students ages 8-15, goes inside the life of a Bay lighthouse keeper in 1879 utilizing the Hooper Strait Lighthouse on CBMM’s campus, while the Nov. 29 workshop, titled “Feather Weather,” is geared toward children ages 5-8, who will explore how birds fly and their migration patterns and design their own bird-inspired paper airplanes.

The cost for each of these programs is $15 per participant. Students may be dropped off by a chaperoning adult and picked up at the end of the program. If accompanying adults and additional non-participant children would like to explore CBMM during the program, they may purchase a $5 ticket with children 5 years and younger free.

Beyond all that public programming, now is a great time to schedule a group visit for the 2023-24 school year.

Student groups, including school, Scout, and other youth programs, are encouraged to contact registration@cbmm.org for more information about scheduling a CBMM field trip. Group offerings include the popular Lighthouse Overnight Adventure program, which is available this fall for groups to spend a night on campus in the Hooper Strait Lighthouse.

CBMM hosts one of the nation’s largest gatherings of small boat enthusiasts and unique watercraft at Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival XXXX on Oct. 6-8. (Photo by George Sass)

CBMM hosts one of the nation’s largest gatherings of small boat enthusiasts and unique watercraft at Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival XL on Oct. 6-8. (Photo by George Sass)

ST. MICHAELS, Md., Sept. 14, 2023 – The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum hosts Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival XL on Friday-Sunday, Oct. 6-8, welcoming one of the nation’s largest gatherings of small boat enthusiasts and unique watercraft back to its waterfront campus.

Hundreds of amateur and professional boatbuilders and enthusiasts will come from all over the region to display their one-of-a-kind kayaks, canoes, and other traditional small craft at the 40th edition of the annual festival, which runs 10am–5pm all three days.

Public entrance to the Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival is included with CBMM’s general admission, which is good for two consecutive days and free for CBMM members.

Head to cbmm.org/MASCF to learn more about the three-day event. Anyone looking to register as a participant and gain access to the full slate of events can get more info at cbmm.org/MASCFparticipants.

A family-friendly fall staple, MASCF invites guests to marvel at the craftsmanship and innovation used in traditional and contemporary small craft, showcased both on land and in the water, while enjoying all that CBMM has to offer across its 18-acre campus. Throughout the weekend, boat owners are encouraged to share their knowledge and boating experiences with guests.

Now in its 40th year, MASCF invites guests to marvel at the craftsmanship and innovation used in traditional and contemporary small craft. (Photo by George Sass)

Now in its 40th year, MASCF invites guests to marvel at the craftsmanship and innovation used in traditional and contemporary small craft. (Photo by George Sass)

Saturday offers a full slate of MASCF activities. CBMM Shipyard staff and Chesapeake Wooden Boat Builders School instructors will offer boatbuilding and maritime demonstrations that day, and Chesapeake Light Craft will be on site with a selection of vessels from its fleet for guests to demo.

That afternoon, there will be a spirited small craft race on the Miles River. Guests are encouraged to watch all the action from CBMM’s waterfront and docks.

Also on Saturday, guests are invited to a special presentation in CBMM’s Shipyard at 10am. A weeklong workshop on traditional Japanese boatbuilding, led by author, boatbuilder, and educator Douglas Brooks, concludes with a traditional Shinto launching ceremony to celebrate the completion of a 21-foot Japanese river boat. That evening, Brooks will be the keynote speaker at the dinner for MASCF participants.

Everyone on campus for MASCF will be able to vote for their favorite boat, with the People’s Choice award and others announced among participants on Saturday evening. Limited offerings will be available for the public to see on Sunday.

For safety reasons, non-service dogs need to be kept home during CBMM festivals, including the Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival.

CBMM will welcome Peter Panyon and Big Tribe to campus on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7pm for “Songs about the Water,” an acoustic concert of songs and stories with a dose of science.

CBMM will welcome Peter Panyon and Big Tribe to campus on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7pm for “Songs about the Water,” an acoustic concert of songs and stories with a dose of science.

ST. MICHAELS, Md., Sept. 13, 2023 – Back in the early 1990s, Peter Panyon was taking part in a weeklong workshop for college professors focused on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries when inspiration struck while cruising the Patuxent River.

“It occurred to me: Wait a minute, there’s a story to tell here,” Panyon remembered. “I was thinking, ‘Man, somebody should write a song about that, and nobody’s going to do it if it’s not me.’”

A biology professor by trade, Panyon would write and re-write the song over the years on the way to perfecting “Can’t Work the River.” The ballad tracing a watermen’s struggles was included on his band Big Tribe’s debut album in 2014, and its music video is now part of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s special exhibition The Changing Chesapeake.

On Sept. 28 at 7pm, Panyon and his Big Tribe bandmates Bonnie Eyler and Joe Huette will present “Songs About the Water,” an evening of songs and stories with a dose of science at CBMM’s Van Lennep Auditorium.

This “Changing Chesapeake Coffeehouse” concert will feature fare provided by Blue Heron Coffee of St. Michaels and highlight songs drawing inspiration from local rivers to the Gulf oil spill and hurricane disasters.

The suggested ticket price is $15 per participant for this event, which is sponsored by the Upper Shore Regional Folklife Center. To register and get more information, visit cbmm.org/SongsAboutWater.

Panyon has married two of his passions in coming up with a catalog to fill a concert like this.

The Calvert County resident is now retired after a lengthy career teaching biology at the University of Maryland, Catholic University, and Prince George’s Community College.

As a musician, Panyon has written hundreds of songs, dating back to his teenage years. Recently, he’s catalyzed Big Tribe, which has released two albums of eclectic rock tracks with a new one, “Postcards from the Mission,” due out later this year.

Those experiences have helped Panyon carve out a unique lane as a songwriter with something to say.

“Your normal rock and roll about cars and girls, that’s not what we do,” Panyon said. “What we’re really up to is trying to hit people with music that, while they’re having fun with it, there’s a message in there that hopefully we get them to think about.”

The “Can’t Work the River” video debuted in 2016 at a conference on teaching science through alternative media at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.

Now, the 5-minute, 25-second video that features two watermen from different generations grappling with the realities of working the Patuxent River is finding a new audience as part of The Changing Chesapeake, which is on exhibit through next March.

“I want to at least crack open the door that leads to thinking about this scientifically,” Panyon said. “Yes, it’s a story about a guy, and he lost his woman, and he’s having trouble making a living, but when you dive beneath the surface of that story, there’s this other story about what’s actually going wrong. Why is this way of life that’s millennia old getting more and more iffy?”

In concert, Panyon aims to expand on these important themes.

While Big Tribe’s albums feature big sound from a full band with bass drums, electric guitars, and an array of complementary instruments, its acoustic shows with Panyon, Eyler, and Huette are more easygoing, free-flowing, and even interactive.

“It’s not just music,” Panyon said. “We’re going to throw a little science in, and we’re totally open to having a dialogue.”

The set list for these live shows goes in different directions with various meditations on the importance of valuing our waterways, including another track with roots in the 1990s and a literal earnestness to its title, “We Are the River.”

As he prepares for his CBMM gig, Panyon is excited that he’s found a perfect partner to help him share these songs that mean so much to him.

“Most bands are looking to play big venues like stadiums,” Panyon said with a chuckle. “For us, it’s museums. We want to do as many museums as possible, and once we’ve conquered the museum world, then we’re going for the stadiums.”

CBMM and Temple B’nai Israel are partnering on an Oct. 11 Speaker Event to share the story of a Chesapeake packet steamship with a symbolic role in the formation of Israel 75 years ago. British Admiralty photo, 1947, Collection of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

CBMM and Temple B’nai Israel are partnering on an Oct. 11 Speaker Event to share the story of a Chesapeake packet steamship with a symbolic role in the formation of Israel 75 years ago. British Admiralty photo, 1947, Collection of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

ST. MICHAELS, Md., Sept. 8, 2023 – The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is partnering with Temple B’nai Israel of Easton on Wednesday, Oct. 11 to present “S.S. President Warfield to Exodus 1947: The Chesapeake Steamship That Launched Israel.”

During this Speaker Event hosted in the Van Lennep Auditorium, CBMM’s Chief Historian Pete Lesher and University of Maryland Distinguished Professor Emeritus Jeffrey Herf share the story of a Chesapeake packet steamship with a symbolic role in the formation of Israel 75 years ago. Light refreshments will be served at 5pm, and the talk will begin promptly at 5:30pm.

The suggested ticket price is $8 per participant with both in-person and virtual options available. To register and get more information, visit cbmm.org/ShipThatLaunchedIsrael.

This program is made possible in part through the generosity of Marlene and Phil Feldman.

“The history of this steamship is familiar to many of us—its story was made famous both in books and in the movies,” Temple B’nai Israel Rabbi Peter Hyman said. “What may be less well known is that Exodus first sailed on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. This, for many of us living here, intensifies and makes more poignant our connection to this ship and to the role it played in post-World War II history.”

This program will trace the vessel’s interesting journey to its place in history.

S.S. President Warfield was the largest and last steamboat built for the Baltimore Steam Packet Company, nicknamed the “Old Bay Line.” The luxury liner ran overnight express service between Baltimore and Norfolk beginning in 1928.

Like several other Bay steamboats, President Warfield was requisitioned for service in World War II, and after surviving the war, it was ultimately sold via auction to a Zionist organization seeking to take European Jewish refugees displaced by the war to Palestine.

Despite opposition from the British government that controlled Palestine, President Warfield recrossed the Atlantic Ocean, took refugees aboard in southern France, and headed on.

British naval vessels followed and ultimately stopped the steamship just short of its destination. Amid the melee, new nameboards were revealed, dubbing the vessel Exodus 1947.

The international attention that ensued around the plight of the Jewish refugees ultimately led to the establishment of the State of Israel. While the venerable steamship saw no more use, it was called by some “the ship that launched a nation” and its story inspired Leon Uris’ novel “Exodus.”

CBMM’s collection features two models of the steamship, numerous historic photographs, and several related artifacts, including a brass state room key and a dinner menu from its maiden voyage.

During next month’s program, Lesher will share the history of the vessel through World War II, while Herf, an authority on modern European history, will speak about the international impact of the Exodus 1947 incident.

“It’s an extraordinary story, and because of its international dimensions, President Warfield was among the best-known Chesapeake Bay steamboats,” Lesher said. “We think this program will appeal both to those interested in Chesapeake Bay maritime history and 20th century Jewish history, the founding of the State of Israel, and international relations in the aftermath of World War II.”

Find more information about CBMM’s fall series of Speaker Events at cbmm.org/speakerseries and all of its upcoming events at cbmm.org/events.

CBMM is pleased to announce the expansion of its on-water experience offerings through the acquisition of the cruise boat PATRIOT.

CBMM is pleased to announce the expansion of its on-water experience offerings through the acquisition of the cruise boat PATRIOT.

ST. MICHAELS, Md., Sept. 1, 2023 – The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is pleased to announce the expansion of its on-water experience offerings through the acquisition of the cruise boat PATRIOT, which has been docked at CBMM’s waterfront for decades.

Effective immediately, CBMM assumes day-to-day operations of the 65-foot, two-level vessel modeled to resemble a Chesapeake Bay steamboat that has offered guests scenic cruises of the Miles River since 1990. All reservations will be honored, with the current staff remaining in place.

“We are absolutely thrilled to add PATRIOT to the CBMM family,” CBMM President & CEO Kristen Greenaway said. “Given PATRIOT’s impeccable reputation and ability to give access to the Miles River to 20,000 guests per year, the acquisition of the vessel is a key addition to delivering our mission. We appreciate previous owners Robin and John Marrah with entrusting us to steward PATRIOT into its next chapter and wish them all the best.”

Adding PATRIOT is a natural step for CBMM as it has been a fixture of St. Michaels Harbor and CBMM partner, dating back to 1969 when Jim Heikes refitted a wooden fishing boat as a cruise vessel named PATRIOT.

Today, PATRIOT has the capacity to provide tours for up to 149 passengers. The enclosed main deck offers climate-controlled comfort, while the top deck is partially covered by a canopy. It’s the perfect setting to enjoy breathtaking views while learning local history from experienced guides.

“Robin and I have been blessed for almost 14 years of ownership of the PATRIOT,” John Marrah said. “It has been a huge part of our lives in St. Michaels, and we truly believe that CBMM is the best new home where the PATRIOT will thrive. We have valued our relationship with Kristen Greenaway and the CBMM team for many years and are thrilled that the PATRIOT is in their loving hands.”

CBMM has long prioritized offering its guests opportunities to experience the Miles River on the water.

In recent years, many of those cruises were offered on its passenger-carrying buyboat Winnie Estelle, and with that venerable vessel undergoing maintenance this year, CBMM has added Harbor Highlights Cruises aboard other vessels in its historic floating fleet. More offerings are also on the horizon aboard its newest buyboat, Choptank.

With PATRIOT, CBMM’s short-term focus will be to finish the season strong while beginning to explore the long-term opportunities that the acquisition provides.

Guests can continue to book tours online at patriotcruises.com or buy tickets from the booth adjacent to the dock through Oct. 22.

Right now, Narrated Historical Cruises are offered seven days per week, plus Island Music Cocktail Cruises on select weekend days. Adults and seniors will continue to receive a $3 discount off CBMM general admission by showing their PATRIOT ticket.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is a non-profit educational organization that preserves and explores the history, environment, and culture of the entire Chesapeake Bay region, and makes this resource accessible to all.

Every aspect of fulfilling this mission is driven by CBMM’s values of relevance, authenticity, and stewardship, along with a commitment to providing engaging guest experiences and transformative educational programming, all while serving as a vital community partner. For more information, visit cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.

CBMM’s upcoming Speaker Event schedule features six events that will be hosted in the Van Lennep Auditorium and also available virtually, including programming built around CBMM’s special exhibitions The Changing Chesapeake and Her Helm.

CBMM’s upcoming Speaker Event schedule features six events that will be hosted in the Van Lennep Auditorium and also available virtually, including programming built around CBMM’s special exhibitions The Changing Chesapeake and Her Helm.

ST. MICHAELS, Md., Aug. 25, 2023 – The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum has a wide range of opportunities for lifelong learners to engage with the region’s history, environment, and culture over the coming months through its Speaker Event programming. The upcoming schedule features six events that will be hosted in the Van Lennep Auditorium and also available virtually.

The offerings, including programs built around CBMM’s special exhibitions The Changing Chesapeake and Her Helm, are designed to spark important conversations while fostering connections between the past, present, and future of the Bay. They are supported by the Upper Shore Regional Folklife Center under the Maryland Traditions program of the Maryland State Arts Council.

The suggested ticket cost is $8 per session, except for the “Changing Chesapeake Coffeehouse” concert, which is $15. To sign up, and get more information, visit cbmm.org/SpeakerSeries.

“CBMM is pleased to host such a wide range of events this fall, including scholars, community leaders, and artists,” Vice President of Education & Interpretation Jill Ferris said. “We hope you will join us throughout this series, which explores so many facets of Chesapeake life, including the inspiration of art and music, climate change in the region, and local connections to significant historical events.”

The fall series begins Thursday, Sept. 14 at 5:30pm, with an exhibition-opening artist talk with Her Helm photographer Kristin Rutkowski.

With her two-year “Her Helm” portrait project, Rutkowski sought to challenge gendered stereotypes by highlighting more than 50 women who captain vessels on the Chesapeake Bay. In this talk, the Maryland-based photographer will share how the project started, what it meant to the women who participated, what it means to society, and some of the insights she learned along the way.

CBMM will welcome acoustic-electric trio Big Tribe to campus on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7pm for “Songs about the Water,” a concert of songs and stories with a dose of science.

This “Changing Chesapeake Coffeehouse” concert will feature fare provided by Blue Heron Coffee of St. Michaels and highlight songs drawing inspiration from local rivers to the Gulf oil spill and hurricane disasters.

Big Tribe is catalyzed by singer-songwriter and retired biology professor Peter Panyon alongside Bonnie Eyler and Joe Heutte. The group’s music video for the song “Can’t Work the River” is currently on view in CBMM’s special exhibition, The Changing Chesapeake.

On Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 5:30pm, CBMM will partner with Temple B’nai Israel to present “S.S. President Warfield to Exodus 1947: The Chesapeake Steamship That Launched Israel.”

CBMM’s Chief Historian Pete Lesher and University of Maryland Distinguished Professor Emeritus Jeffrey Herf will share the story of a Chesapeake vessel with a symbolic role in the formation of Israel 75 years ago. S.S. President Warfield was a luxury liner carrying passengers between Baltimore and Norfolk, Va., until it was called into service in World War II. Afterward, a Zionist organization attempted to use the ship, renamed Exodus 1947, to bring Jewish refugees to Palestine.

Light refreshments will be available starting at 5pm. This event is made possible in part through the generosity of Marlene and Phil Feldman.

The Speaker Event series continues Monday, Oct. 23 at 5:30pm with another Her Helm program, this time featuring Capt. Judy Bixler.

During “Her Helm: The Oxford-Bellevue Ferry Tale,” Bixler will share her experiences operating the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry—believed to be the oldest privately owned ferry service in the U.S.— over the past two decades.

On Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 5:30pm, CBMM, in collaboration with the Maryland Geographic Alliance, hosts Chesapeake Bay Foundation President & CEO Hilary Harp Falk for “Facing Our Unfinished Challenge: Saving the Bay in the 21st Century.”

Since January 2022, Falk has been the leader of the Annapolis-based conservation organization whose motto, “Save the Bay,” has become a regional rallying cry for pollution reduction throughout the Chesapeake’s six-state watershed. This talk will cover CBF’s continuing efforts to create understanding of the Bay’s poor health, engage public leaders, and maintain a cleanup approach that features real accountability through the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint.

Also, mark your calendar for CBMM’s first Speaker Event in the new year. Prof. Laura Guertin presents “Quilting Climate Science & Solutions” on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, at 3pm.

A distinguished professor of Earth Sciences at Penn State Brandywine, Guertin has turned to a unique medium to connect new audiences with science stories: quilting. In this program, she will present an overview of climate science, and highlight examples of actions we can take in addressing these changes – all communicated via quilts. One example, “Looking Out at the Ghosts of the Coast,” is on exhibit as part of CBMM’s The Changing Chesapeake.

Stay tuned for more Speaker Events coming in early 2024. Find more information about all of CBMM’s upcoming events at cbmm.org/events.

Dave Reager, pictured here with his wife Jeanne, had served on CBMM's Board of Governors since 2017.

Dave Reager, pictured here at CBMM with his wife Jeanne, had served on CBMM’s Board of Governors since 2017.

ST. MICHAELS, Md., Aug. 21, 2023  – The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum mourns the recent passing of David W. Reager and expresses our appreciation for his steadfast commitment to our organization over many years. Everyone at CBMM sends our deepest condolences to his wife Jeanne and his family and friends.

An avid sailor with a tremendous passion for CBMM’s mission, Dave was a CBMM member for more than 25 years and a leader within the organization over the final years of his life as Secretary of CBMM’s Board of Governors.

“Dave was not only a long-time member of CBMM’s Board of Governors, he and Jeanne became personal friends,” CBMM President & CEO Kristen Greenaway said. “I will always remember the support given both personally and professionally, as he fully believed CBMM is an organization headed for great things.”

A graduate of Penn State University and Temple University School of Law, Dave enjoyed a successful professional career in law and business.

Dave was a founding and managing partner of the law firm Reager & Adler, PC, in Camp Hill, Pa., which he formed in 1979 after five years serving as an assistant attorney general with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was active in real estate development and involved in numerous businesses over the years.

All the while, Dave was a leader within his community in Central Pennsylvania, through philanthropy and service. He served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Cleve J. Fredricksen Library and on the board of a handful of other non-profit organizations, including the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania.

Dave’s passion for sailing brought him to the Eastern Shore often, where he and Jeanne kept a home in St. Michaels and a membership in the Miles River Yacht Club. The Reagers became CBMM members in 1997, and he joined CBMM’s Board in 2017. Two years later, he was elected to the Executive Committee as Secretary, a role he held until his death on Aug. 11.

At CBMM, Dave developed a reputation for his dedication to helping wherever he was needed and keen insight with interests spanning the organization’s campus and mission. He was an active participant in the Maryland Dove Task Force and helped shepherd the most ambitious project in the history of CBMM’s Shipyard. He also served on the Advancement and Finance committees.

“We will miss Dave’s enthusiasm, wise counsel, and friendship,” CBMM Board of Governors President Craig Fuller said. “Dave’s appreciation and care for CBMM was evident in every conversation, and he made a real impact on the organization in so many ways.” 

Dave and Jeanne were early supporters of CBMM’s Master Plan for upgrading campus, and through their generosity, their names will be prominently displayed in the new Welcome Center’s  David & Jeanne  Reager  Pavilion, housing the new exhibition Water Lines, showcasing CBMM’s small craft collection when it opens this fall.

A celebration of Dave’s life will be held at the West Shore Country Club in his native Camp Hill on Sept. 20 at 2pm. Find more information in his obituary here.

A fifth-generation captain who pilots charters aboard Island Queen II, Vera Meredith is featured in CBMM’s forthcoming special exhibition Her Helm.

A fifth-generation captain who pilots charters aboard Island Queen II, Vera Meredith is featured in CBMM’s forthcoming Her Helm special exhibition. (Photo courtesy Kristin Rutkowski)

ST. MICHAELS, Md., Aug. 18, 2023 – The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is pleased to announce a forthcoming special exhibition showcasing the work of photographer Kristin Rutkowski to highlight women who captain vessels on the Chesapeake Bay.

On public view starting Sept. 8, Her Helm: Portraits of Women on the Chesapeake brings a selection of photos from Rutkowski’s portrait project of the same name to the Van Lennep Auditorium. CBMM will host an exhibition-opening artist talk with Rutkowski on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 5:30pm. Registration is available now at bit.ly/HerHelm, with both in-person and virtual attendance options at a suggested ticket price of $8 per person.

With this two-year project, Rutkowski sought to challenge gendered stereotypes of who commands the wheel aboard vessels that ply the Bay.

“Women have long had vital roles in the Chesapeake’s fisheries and as skilled mariners,” CBMM’s Director of Curatorial Affairs & Exhibitions Jen Dolde said. “Nonetheless, their contributions frequently were not documented, or are not given the attention their contributions warrant. Kristin Rutkowski’s images boldly represent these women, and the oral histories give voice to their determination and passion.”

CBMM will open a new special exhibition, Her Helm: Portraits of Women on the Chesapeake, on Sept. 8 in the Van Lennep Auditorium, showcasing the work of photographer Kristin Rutkowski (pictured here) to highlight women who captain vessels on the Bay.

CBMM will open a new special exhibition, Her Helm: Portraits of Women on the Chesapeake, next month in the Van Lennep Auditorium, showcasing the work of photographer Kristin Rutkowski (pictured here) to highlight women who captain vessels on the Bay. (Photo courtesy Kristin Rutkowski)

A Maryland-based portrait photographer, Rutkowski traveled the region to feature more than 50 women who make their own way on the water, discovering a network of recreational power boaters and sailors, charter boat and tug captains, maritime and environmental educators, and delivery boat and ferry operators. Each of them, she found, experienced unique obstacles and challenges as they built their confidence and capability on the water.

Captured in their element along the docks and waterways or at the helm of their vessels, these women are empowered through Rutkowski’s lens. The paragraphs accompanying each portrait spotlight the captains’ accomplishments and capture their voices using their own words from informal interviews with the photographer. CBMM’s parallel oral history project will record life history interviews with more than a dozen of the women featured in “Her Helm.”

The full collection of Rutkowski’s portraits will be featured in a soon-to-be published “Her Helm” book.

“I’m excited to share the Her Helm project, and the amazing women involved, with the friends of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum,” Rutkowski said. “CBMM’s mission to record and promote life and culture around the Bay makes it the perfect place to recognize the contributions and leadership of these women. I’m incredibly grateful for CBMM’s support in sharing this project and recognizing the importance of celebrating this demographic, of helping to normalize the fact that women are in charge of boats.”

CBMM’s Her Helm exhibition features a selection of Kristin Rutkowski’s photo portraits of women who captain vessels on the Chesapeake Bay, including Kate Dumhart of the schooner Sultana.

CBMM’s Her Helm exhibition features a selection of Kristin Rutkowski’s photo portraits of women who captain vessels on the Bay, including Kate Dumhart of the schooner Sultana. (Photo courtesy Kristin Rutkowski)

Entrance to view Her Helm is included with general admission, which is free for CBMM members. This exhibition is funded through CBMM’s Regional Folklife Center under the Maryland Traditions program of the Maryland State Arts Council.

CBMM will offer programming around the exhibition over the coming months, starting with Rutkowski’s Sept. 14 talk.

On Oct. 23 at 5:30pm, Captain Judy Bixler will speak about her experiences at the helm of the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry over the past two decades. Registration for the program, “Her Helm: The Oxford-Bellevue Ferry Tale,” is now at bit.ly/FerryTale. The suggested cost is $8 per person, with both in-person and virtual options available.