News Archives 2006 - February

CBMM's Historic Hooper Strait Lighthouse is Welcome to Overnighters

ST. MICHAELS, MD—This summer, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is opening the doors of its Hooper Strait Lighthouse to the general public who would like to spend a weekend night much like the keepers of a century ago.

Several evenings throughout the summer have been reserved for would-be keepers, who will be given a special tour of the nineteenth-century wooden structure, perform tasks of a traditional keeper, enjoy a picnic dinner, and sleep inside the historic building overlooking the Miles River.

Built in 1879, the lighthouse that now graces the Museum's Navy Point campus once lit the way past Hooper Strait, some 39 miles south of St. Michaels. Known as a screwpile, cottage-style lighthouse, Hooper Strait resembles a small home that was built on special iron pilings that were literally screwed into the Bay's soft bottom.

Slated for demolition in 1966, the Museum purchased the building and moved it to its present site. Too large to be moved in one piece, it was horizontally cut in two just below the eaves and was slowly transported on two separate barges up the Bay. The lighthouse was restored and opened to the Museum's public in 1967. It is one of only three such lighthouses still in existence on the Chesapeake.

Overnighters do not seem to mind the absence of such modern amenities as running water and inside bathrooms or the fact that they must bring their own sleeping pads and bags. "Spending a night in a lighthouse is an experience people never forget," says Mary Ann Ray, the Museum's head lighthouse keeper.

Children participating in the overnight program must be at least seven years old and it is required that there be at least one chaperone for every two children. Families may be joined by other families or individuals.

Dates currently available for this program are Friday, June 30; Friday, July 14; Saturday, July 15; Saturday, August 5 and Saturday, September 2. The program begins at 6 p.m. and ends the following morning at 7:30 a.m.

The cost of the overnight program is $35 for Museum members and $41 for non-members. The fee covers program activities, a picnic dinner, and two days' admission to the entire Museum.

For more details and to register, go to www.cbmm.org/lighthouseovernight.html. Interested participants can also contact Education Coordinator Rachel Rébert at 410-745-2916, ext. 133 or via email at rrebert@cbmm.org.

March is Membership Month at CBMM

ST. MICHAELS, MD—After its successful inaugural membership campaign last March, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is announcing its second annual drive with a goal of increasing its membership by 200 from March 1-31. During this campaign, new members can purchase a 12-month Museum membership with a $5 discount and an additional three months free. Also, new this year, 10 members joining in March will receive a limited edition maritime print from a drawing to be held in April.

CBMM membership is available at various levels, ranging from Individual ($40) and Family ($55) to Benefactor ($500) and Life Members ($2,500). Benefits available to all levels include: unlimited free admission to CBMM and its special events; a free subscription to the CBMM Quarterly magazine and annual report; discounts on Museum education classes and special programs; 10% discount on Museum Store purchases; access to the members-only tent during Museum festivals; advance notice of programs, openings, and special events via CBMM's e-news; access to the Museum's extensive research library; and a CBMM member decal.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is a living, breathing tribute to the Chesapeake Bay, its history, and traditions. The Museum's 18-acre waterfront campus houses 10 unique exhibit buildings, a working boat yard, and the 125-year-old Hooper Strait Lighthouse. Its newest and largest exhibition building, "At Play on the Bay," opened in June 2005, and future plans at the Museum include a changing exhibits program in the Steamboat Building, which will feature the exhibit "Waters of Despair, Waters of Hope" this summer.

Museum members enjoy free admission as opposed to paying the ticket price ($10/adults; $5 children) for a day pass. Members joining at the Family Membership level ($55) and above can bring two free guests with them to each Museum visit, including special events.

"The Museum is fortunate to have such dedicated and loyal members. They truly make the most of their memberships by consistently visiting year-round and taking advantage of all the great benefits they receive," says Cynthia Paalborg, CBMM Membership Coordinator.

Details about becoming a member and an on-line membership form can be found on the Museum's website at www.cbmm.org/member. Those interested in joining can also contact Cynthia Paalborg at 410-745-2916, ext. 113.

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