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 hunter’s 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 collector’s mantelpiece than floating in a hunter’s 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 “Decoy Capital of the World!”
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Explore iconic decoys and make some quacky memories this season! Come check out The Jim & Diane Cook Collection before it leave in January.
Thank You to Our Supporters!
Museum Monday
Quack into the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum!
A Heartfelt Thank You
Decoys, History, and Craftsmanship!
Oops… we almost forgot to share!
Thank You to Our Supporters!
Decoys, History, and Craftsmanship!
A Special Gift in the Museum
From Flats to Fame!
The Havre de Grace Decoy Museum is open Friday, December 26, and we’re celebrating with 20% off everything in the Museum Store!
We are open today from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Havre de Grace Decoy Museum extends our sincere gratitude to East Coast Marine Consulting, Inc. for their patronage at the Inaugural Carvers & Collectors Dinner.
Your commitment helps us continue to preserve, celebrate, and share the art and history of decoy carving with our community. We are truly grateful for your partnership!
Don’t mind Mike’s blinking eyes!
#HavreDeGraceDecoyMuseum #DecoyCarvers #CollectorsDinner #MuseumSupporters #CommunitySupport #WaterfowlArt #ThankYou
Today we highlight Gunning the Flats, 1781, a Revolutionary War Soldier recalled:
"…when we anchored at the head of the bay the sun had just set… The flats about our anchoring place were almost covered with wild waterfowl. I do not remember ever seeing so many at one time, before or since, although I have often seen large numbers of them…"
This vivid memory reminds us of the rich natural heritage of the Susquehanna Flats and Havre de Grace.
#MuseumMonday #HavreDeGraceDecoyMuseum #GunningTheFlats #RevolutionaryWar #DecoyArt #WaterfowlHistory #HistoricArt
This season, celebrate where ducks became art! From temporary and permanent exhibits include 19th-century to famous folk art. The Havre de Grace decoy signature of the upswept-tail has been spreading cheer for generations.
Check us out today from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Havre de Grace Decoy Museum extends our deepest gratitude to C. John Sullivan Jr. and Chad Tragakis for their unwavering support and guidance of our staff.
Your expertise, mentorship, and dedication help us preserve and celebrate the rich history of decoy carving and waterfowl art. We are truly fortunate to have your wisdom guiding our museum community!
One of them was surprised with a birthday shout-out at the December 6th banquet, we won`t share which one or the number.
#HavreDeGraceDecoyMuseum #ThankYou #MuseumSupport #DecoyCommunity #WaterfowlArt #MentorshipMatters
Havre de Grace’s signature upswept-tail decoys shaped a tradition that still inspires collectors today. Explore it at the Decoy Museum!
Open on Sunday from 12:00 to 4:00 PM
The 2025 Holiday Tree Jubilee was a magical celebration!
The event featured beautifully decorated trees and wreaths from local businesses, groups, and individuals—available for purchase through a silent auction. Proceeds helped support local initiatives including the Celebrate the 4th Foundation.
The staff of the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum enjoyed participating to make this festive event special—making a difference in our community!
#HolidayTreeJubilee #HavreDeGrace #CelebrateThe4th #CommunitySupport #SilentAuction #HollyJollyParade #LocalBusinesses #FestiveFun
A heartfelt thank you to the Heaps for their generous patronage of the Decoy Carvers & Collectors Inaugural Dinner on December 6. Your support helps the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum continue to celebrate and preserve the rich history of decoy carving and waterfowl art.
#HavreDeGraceDecoyMuseum #DecoyCarvers #CollectorsDinner #MuseumSupporters #ThankYou #WaterfowlArt #CommunitySupport
Havre de Grace’s signature upswept-tail decoys shaped a tradition that still inspires collectors today. Explore it at the Decoy Museum!
This stain glass art piece of a Mitchell Canvasback was donated to the museum by family and friends in the memory of John E. Simpers Jr. We are forever grateful for the support of our visitors, members, and friends.
Open today from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM
The Havre de Grace Decoy Museum is thrilled to once again share a generous gift from Henry and Judy Stansbury: a beautiful piece depicting a swan floating on the Susquehanna Flats.
The creator of this exquisite decoy is unknown, but it carries an important history—it was previously owned by Joel Barber, renowned collector and author of Wild Fowl Decoys. This piece is a wonderful addition to our collection, connecting the artistry of decoy carving to the rich heritage of the Susquehanna River region. Check it out in our front lobby.
Havre de Grace’s decoy makers turned waterfowl into iconic art. See the legacy of John “Daddy” Holly and R. Madison Mitchell at our museum! We are open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Come explore the galleries and take home a special piece of decoy history.
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