Celebrating the Maritime Crossroads

Call for interviews!

CCHA is interviewing locals, subject experts, and everyone in between to record for posterity their experiences, perspectives, and knowledge of the water across the Chesapeake Crossroads, sharing with us why it matters.

We plan to incorporate portions of these interviews into printed or digital and online resources about the maritime heritage of this region to encourage and enhance public engagement with and on the water. This research has the potential to help disseminate important maritime based information you have knowledge of, and will help promote the preservation, stewardship, conservation and public knowledge of maritime heritage.

Please reach out to Katie at hagill25@contractor.aacounty.org if you have a story you would like to share

Our general questions:

  • What is your first or favorite memory on the Bay or its rivers?
  • Why do you think it is important to get out on the Bay and its tributaries?
  • What part of our maritime heritage, history and culture is most important to you?

Where can you find us in the maritime crossroads this summer?

2026 River Days

Saturday, July 11 - Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis 11am-3pm

Saturday, August 29 - Annapolis Maritime Museum Park, Annapolis 11am-3pm

An Evening of Skipjacks

August 24th, Museum of Eastern Shore Culture, Salisbury, MD, 6pm-7:30pm

Pres Harding, grandson of legendary skipjack builder Bronza Parks, will share photographs, music, sea shanties, and stories from his childhood growing up in the boatyard as “The Boy in the Boatyard.” He’ll be joined by Captains Shawn Ridgley, Wade Murphy III, and Stoney Whitelock, who will bring their own experiences and perspectives from life aboard Maryland’s historic skipjacks. A screening of the documentary, “Voices of the Skipjack” will also been shown!

Maryland Seafood Festival and Skipjack Heritage Days

September 12th and 13th, 2026 official webpage and tickets

Galesville Maritime Heritage Festival

October 3rd, View Festival Website here

Paddling Through Time Guided Tours

TBD

In collaboration with Anne Arundel County Cultural Resources Section CCHA seeks to promote and preserve aspects of Maryland’s irreplaceable maritime heritage. Using printed, audio, and digital access points to this heritage, CCHA is encouraging citizens and visitors alike to explore maritime sites, stories and landscapes across the region

This summer we are focusing on the West/Rhode Rivers and the Patuxent River at Jug Bay, with the goal of promoting the preservation and education about Maryland’s irreplaceable maritime heritage. 

Check back on this page as we continue this exciting work!

  • The Celebrating Maritime Heritage in the Chesapeake Crossroads Projects was supported in part by a grant from the Maritime Heritage Grant Program, administered by Preservation Maryland in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.