Skipjack Heritage Museum
23529 Deal Island Road
Chance, Maryland 21821

Skipjack Heritage, Inc. was formed in 2007 as a non-profit organization with a goal of preserving the maritime history and the cultural heritage of America’s oldest working sailing vessel, "the Skipjack." The Heritage includes the people who built, owned, captained or worked on those majestic vessels and all the other work boats built and used by the watermen.

Actually our mission goes beyond the Skipjack itself to include the entire cultural history of our area which includes the upper Tangier Sound and greater Deal Island area including Smith Island, Hollands Island, etc. Our greater goal is to document and preserve the history, the events, the stories of our people and their way of life from the earliest settlers to

Skipjack Heritage teaching the school kids

the present day.

Though our mission is to preserve the history, the heritage of our area, we desire to educate the current and future generations so that the preservation of the waterman’s way of life will not be lost but preserved forever.

Development of such a museum and heritage center was originally proposed by area resident and community activist, Mr. Ben Evans as far back as the 1960's. Due to his and many other local residents, civic organizations and local authorites, the planning, construction we finally have our home located within the community to "preserve the heritage."  He, those who have passed and supported the same passion would be proud to see all their hard effort come to produce a celebrated  fruitage. It is important to the heritage that the history, the people and traditions of those that sacrificed so much to give us such a valuable and esteemed inheritance is not forgotten, so that we may pass what was left to us to future generations to tell the story.

William Wheatley, past director was also a driving force who's talent and knowledge are reflected in Skipjack Heritage, Inc. and we miss him greatly. Its personable to us and our passion. 

               - We are a "non-profit," 501c organization"-

- HOURS OF OPERATION - We are typically closed during inclement weather- Christmas, New Years, Easter and Thanksgiving holiday's.
Friday	TBD
Saturday	11:00 am - 3:00pm
Sunday	TBD/Typically 12:00 - 4:00pm
Contact Us: info@skipjackheritage.com Phone:

Skipjack Ida May and others tied up at Deal Island harbor

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.