Havre de Grace Decoy Museum
Visit the Decoy Museum and discover the art of decoy making and the waterfowling traditions that make Havre de Grace, Maryland the “Decoy Capital of the World!”
On Display:
Oliver “Tuts” Lawson- September 2026 through October 31, 2026 Crisfield, Maryland has produced a plethora of decoy talent over the years, including famed carvers such as Lloyd Sterling, Lloyd Tyler, and the Ward Brothers. Carrying on this tradition of excellence is Oliver Lawson. Lawson spent his youth in the marshes of the Eastern Shore. As he grew older, he
took up duck hunting, first with decoys supplied by his hunting partners, and eventually with decoys he had carved himself. Lawson developed a friendship with the Ward Brothers early in his carving career and would study under them. From here, Lawson’s career blossomed, with his decoys being lauded as
excellent examples of Crisfield’s style of folk-art classics. This display of “Tuts” Lawson’s work is now open at the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum.
Shorebird Hunting- September 2026 through October 31, 2026 When Bob Seabrook was a young boy, his grandmother told him many stories about her family’s summers at “Cedar Beach” on the sound end of Ocean City, New Jersey. One of Bob’s favorite stories involved her father, Jacob Elwell, hunting on the beach and marshes near 56th Street. Eventually, Bob’s passions led him to a local New Jersey decoy collector where he purchased a yellowlegs
that once belonged to Corneilus Nickerson, Captain of the U. S. Life Saving Station at 58th street in Ocean City. Bob’s collection would continue to grow when an old friend gave Bob a group of “flattie” shorebirds that belonged to her father, a summer resident of south Ocean City. From here, Bob purchased much of his collection from collectors and auctions. This exhibit includes shorebirds
from Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May Counties in New Jersey. Come and see this celebration of New Jersey Shorebirds, now on display at the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum.
The Bald Eagle- September through December 31, 2026 In Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. 250 years ago, the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 2nd, 1776. It was subsequently signed as delegates came and went from the second Continental Congress. The United States of America came into being and adopted the Bald Eagle as one of its national symbols. This exhibit features eagles by vintage and contemporary carvers in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and explores how the Bald Eagle became one of America’s national symbols. This celebration of America’s national bird is now on display at the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum.
Rock Hall Reflections- Sept 2026 through Sept 2027 A celebration of John Glenn, the men he inspired, and the colorful decoys they made.Forty miles south of Havre de Grace in Kent County, Maryland is the waterfront town of Rock Hall. Once home to a major fishing and seafood processing industry, today the town is a popular destination for boaters and tourists. When farmer and waterman John Bennett Glenn (1872-1951) started making decoys for his own use around 1916, he unknowingly launched what would come to be known as the “Rock Hall School” of decoy making. Glenn went on to mentor and inspire four generations of Rock Hall men to try making their own hunting decoys and decorative carvings – men like Jess Urie, August Heinefield, Roger Urie, Cliff Simms and Bob Lord. This exhibit showcasing the quality and variety of decoys and decorative carvings from this historic and vibrant community is now open at the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum.
215 Giles Street
Havre de Grace, MD 21078