• Tilghman Watermen's Museum

About Us

The Tilghman Watermen's Museum is dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and sharing the rich maritime heritage of Tilghman Island and Maryland's Chesapeake Bay. Located in the heart of one of the Bay's most historic working waterfront communities, the Museum honors the generations of watermen and their families whose lives and livelihoods have been shaped by the water.

Through engaging exhibits, educational programs, oral histories, photographs, artifacts, and special events, the Museum tells the story of the Chesapeake's commercial fishing and crabbing industries, traditional boatbuilding, seafood harvesting, and the unique culture that has defined Tilghman Island for centuries. Visitors gain a deeper appreciation for the skill, resilience, and stewardship of the Bay demonstrated by the men and women who continue these traditions today.

The Museum is committed not only to preserving the past but also to documenting the living history of today's watermen, ensuring their stories, knowledge, and craftsmanship are passed on to future generations. As a gathering place for residents and visitors alike, the Tilghman Watermen's Museum serves as a bridge between history and the present, inspiring an understanding of the Chesapeake Bay's enduring maritime legacy and the community that continues to keep it alive.