Established in 1965, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to preserving and exploring the history, environment, and culture of the entire Chesapeake Bay region, and making this resource available to all. Every aspect of fulfilling this mission is driven by CBMM’s values of relevancy, authenticity, and stewardship, along with a commitment to providing engaging guest experiences and transformative educational programming, all while serving as a vital community partner.

Serving more than 75,000 guests each year, CBMM’s campus includes a floating fleet of historic boats, 12 exhibition buildings, and changing special exhibitions, all set in a park-like waterfront setting along the Miles River and St. Michaels’ harbor.

CBMM is a fully accredited member of the American Alliance of Museums, offering interactive exhibitions, tours and scenic boat rides, demonstrations, boat rides on the Miles River, hands-on education programs for children and adults, and annual festivals that celebrate the Chesapeake Bay culture, boats, seafood, history, and people.

CBMM’s collection of historic Chesapeake Bay watercraft–maintained by shipwrights and their apprentices in our Working Shipyard–is the largest in existence. The small boat collection includes crabbing skiffs, workboats, and log canoes.