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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2026 Annapolis Decoy Show
Shop the Store Wednesday
Tuesday’s Decoy of the Day
Decoy Show Alert!
Our very first Saturday Spotlight comes from Rydan Rivera (14) from Bel Air who captured this pintail and graciously shared it with the museum.
Save the Date!
On Display Friday - What is a decoy?
Happy Birthday, Dr. John A. Carriere!
Save the Date!
Throwback Thursday - A Look Back at Our Building’s History
Shop the Store Wednesday
The 55th Annual Waterfowl Festival taking place this November 15 - 26, 2026 in Easton, Md. Venues range from high-end art galleries to casual buy-sell-swap rooms. Last year`s festival attracted 35,000 people from 45 states.
Join fellow collectors, carvers, and outdoor enthusiasts for a great day celebrating decoy history and sporting art! The 2026 Annapolis Decoy Show, sponsored by the Potomac Decoy Collectors Association, returns on Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Location: Annapolis Elks Lodge
2 Pythian Dr
Edgewater, MD 21037
What you’ll find: Antique Duck Decoys, Contemporary Carvings, Hunting & Fishing Items, Sporting Art, Books, and Special Exhibits
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just discovering the artistry and heritage of decoys, this show offers something for everyone. Mark your calendar and plan to spend the day exploring, learning, and connecting with the decoy community!
Save the date — June 7, 2026!
Add a unique piece to your collection with this Tomahawk Cigar Box—a great blend of history, craftsmanship, and character. Perfect for display, storage, or as a distinctive gift for the collector in your life.
$21.20 (including tax) when purchased in person at the museum
Shipping available if you prefer to have it mailed—shipping will be added to the final cost.
To purchase:
• Stop into the Museum Store
• Call 410-939-3937
• Email infor@decoymuseum.com
Stop by the museum store or message us to claim yours before it’s gone. Shop local and support the museum while discovering one-of-a-kind finds every Wednesday!
Today’s feature is a High-Head Canvasback Hen by Pete Peterson, a great example of the classic high-head decoy style. These decoys are characterized by their raised head and elongated neck, creating a bold, easily recognizable silhouette that sets them apart from other decoy forms.
Pete Peterson’s work highlights both functional design and skilled craftsmanship, showing how subtle changes in posture helped hunters attract birds while also giving carvers room to express their artistry.
Be sure to visit before the exhibit leaves this spring!
We’re open daily from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Stop by the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum to see this remarkable piece up close and explore the stories behind the carvers and their craft.
Join the Upper Bay Decoy Collectors Club for the 5th Annual Jim Pierce Sportsman & Decoy Show on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm!
Minker Banquet Hall - 920 Principio Furnace Road
Perryville, MD 21903
This must-see event celebrates the rich traditions of waterfowling, decoy carving, and sporting heritage. Browse an outstanding selection of decoys, wildlife art, sporting collectibles, and outdoor history, and connect with fellow collectors, carvers, and enthusiasts from across the region.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just discovering the artistry of decoys, this show offers something for everyone. Mark your calendar and don’t miss it!
Save the date & spread the word!
Join fellow collectors and outdoor enthusiasts at the 18th Annual Susquehanna Vintage Hunting & Fishing Collectibles Show!
Saturday, January 21, 2026 from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the Level Volunteer Fire Hall
- 3633 Level Village Rd, Havre de Grace, MD
Browse an outstanding selection of vintage hunting and fishing collectibles, meet knowledgeable vendors, and connect with others who share a passion for outdoor heritage.
Food and drinks available on site
For more information: Pat Vincenti – 410-937-8193 or Chuck Usilton – 443-252-0685
Mark your calendar and plan to spend the day celebrating sporting history in the Susquehanna region!
At the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum, that question is answered the moment you step inside.
Our “What Is a Decoy?” exhibit is a permanent, large-scale exhibition that begins right at museum admission and sets the stage for everything that follows. Through regional styles, historic examples, and artistic interpretations, this exhibit explores how decoys have been used, crafted, and cherished across time and flyways.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime supporter, this foundational exhibit offers insight into the function, artistry, and cultural significance of decoys—helping every guest see them as both tools and works of art.
On display every day...Included with museum admission
Stop in this Friday and rediscover the story that starts it all at the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum.
Today we celebrate the birthday of John A. Carriere, MD—a man whose dedication and passion left a lasting mark on both the Havre de Grace community and the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum.
For more than 30 years, Dr. Carriere served as a respected obstetrician and gynecologist, caring for generations of families in Havre de Grace with compassion and professionalism. Beyond his medical career, he was deeply proud of his service to the Decoy Museum, where he served as President from Fall 1997 through Fall 2001. During his leadership, he played an important role in advancing the museum’s national accreditation, strengthening its mission and future.
An avid and knowledgeable collector, Dr. Carriere had a particular passion for decoys by McGaw, Mitchell, Currier, Fallon, and Joiner. Inspired after closely studying Bob McGaw’s miniature carvings, he began carving his own interpretations—adding the role of artist to his many contributions to the decoy community.
Today, we honor and remember Dr. Carriere for his service, leadership, and enduring love of decoy art and heritage.
The 8th Annual Charlie Joiner Memorial Decoy Show.
This beloved annual event honors the legacy of Charlie Joiner and supports the future of decoy carving and waterfowl art in our community. All proceeds benefit the Charlie Joiner / Charlie Bryan Endowment Account at the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum, helping preserve this important heritage for generations to come.
Food is available: Galena Volunteer Fire Company & Auxiliary will be on site with food for purchase.
Inquiries: Please contact Allan Schauber at (410) 708-7011 for additional details.
Mark your calendar! Your support makes a lasting impact.
This historic photograph from the museum’s lobby shows the building as it appeared when the founders of the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum first encountered it in the mid-1980s.
Originally constructed in the 1920s, this structure served as the garage, and swimming pool building for the adjoining hotel. A 1921 Sanborn fire map shows that the garage and pool were built first, followed by the hotel itself. Promotional materials from our archives even highlight a rooftop garden and dance floor, making the hotel a lively destination in its day.
After a series of fires, the hotel eventually closed and, in 1953, became a villa for the Franciscan Sisters. During this period, the garage and pool building went largely unused and fell into disrepair—a condition that continued after the Sisters left and the hotel sat vacant for several years. Numerous ideas were proposed to revitalize the space, including use as a local library branch, but none came to fruition.
In the early 1980s, the vision of our founding members gave this building new life when it was selected as the future home of the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum. Around the same time, the former hotel building was converted into private condominiums, which remain today.
From forgotten structure to cultural landmark, this building’s story mirrors the spirit of preservation at the heart of our museum.
#ThrowbackThursday #HavreDeGraceHistory #DecoyMuseum #PreservingThePast #MuseumMoments
Add a classic piece of wildlife art to your collection! This week we’re featuring a Porcelain Collector Plate, “The Stiff Tails” by renowned artist Maynard Reece.
- Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity
- Showcasing the timeless detail and artistry Reece is known for
- $21.20 (including tax) when purchased in person at the museum
- Shipping available if you prefer to have it mailed—shipping will be added to the final cost.
To purchase:
• Stop into the Museum Store
• Call 410-939-3937
• Email infor@decoymuseum.com
Support the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum while bringing home a beautiful collectible!
waterfowlfestival.org
