Celebrate the arrival of the new Maryland Dove at Historic St. Mary’s City on August 27, 2022

 

In 2018, Historic St. Mary’s City announced that Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum had been selected to build a brand-new Maryland Dove for Historic St. Mary’s City. The ship, a representation of the late 17th-century trading ship that accompanied the first English settlers to what is now Maryland, is owned by the state of Maryland and operated and maintained by the Historic St. Mary’s City Commission. An earlier version of the ship, built in the 1970s by Cambridge’s Jim Richardson, was nearing the end of its useful life, and decades of new research meant that a new ship could be designed to be a more historically accurate representation of the original Maryland Dove.

Arrival Schedule:

9 am – Maryland Dove departs from Dennis Point Marina and Campground (weather permitting).

10 am – Historic St. Mary’s City opens. All exhibits open until 4 p.m. (Except Maryland Dove)

10:30-10:45 am – Ship’s Arrival at HSMC.

The day’s activities include:

11:30 am – Commissioning ceremony at the Margaret Brent pavilion,  the ship’s log will officially be given to the museum by the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM). The day continues with a ribbon cutting down at the Maryland Dove dock, officially welcoming guests aboard.

12-5 pm – Free timed tours of the new vessel. Advance registration is required (SOLD OUT).

12:30 pm Music – Sam Schofield, acoustic

2 pm- Naval Architect Iver Franzen, CBMM Shipyard Lead Rigger Sam Hilgartner, and HSMC Captain Will Gates will lead a discussion about the design of the ship at the HSMC Visitor Center auditorium.

 

Visit the Margaret Brent Garden for:

-Activity Stations guided by volunteers and staff

-Know the Ropes- Knot tying

-Trade Chest – Exploring trade items (sensory activity)

-Hands-On Trunnel station

-Map Making- Make-and-Take

-Oyster Shell Art – Make-and-Take

 

Visit these on-site food vendors

 

       

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is the admission cost for the day? 

There is no charge to visit the museum, or for any of the activities. The museum and grounds are free and open to the public in celebration of the Maryland Dove arrival. 

 

Am I allowed to go down to the waterfront if I don’t have a ticket? 

Yes – you can go down to take photographs of the Maryland Dove from the beach. Those without tickets are not able to go onto the dock. 

 

I registered online for a tour – can get into an earlier tour?

No. Due to the size of the ship, there is a limited number of spaces for each tour. If a tour is filled to capacity, we do not have room for additional people. 

 

Where do I go to check in for my Maryland Dove tour?

There will be a check-in table at the top of the rampway leading down to the waterfront area. The staff / volunteers there will be able to check you in and will give you a bracelet with your allotted time on it. 

 

I didn’t register online for a tour – is there a waitlist?

Sorry, but no. With the high interest of the ship, visitation on its first day is by registration only. The ship will be open to visitors Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. until Labor Day. After Labor Day, the museum moves to its fall hours – Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The waterfront and Maryland Dove will be included in general admission prices. Be sure to check the website www.HSMCdigshistory.org and social media for times the new Maryland Dove might be out on travel. 

 

I wasn’t able to get a ticket to tour the new Maryland Dove on August 27 – will I be able to tour the old ship, Dove (1978) on that day? 

No. The old ship will not be open for tours when the new Maryland Dove is at the HSMC dock. Check the website www.HSMCdigsHistory.org for days Dove (1978) will be open to visitors. 

 

Will there be food available on August 27?

Yes, there are four food trucks. Sweet Blue Smoke, Taste Overload, Kona Ice, and St. James Deli. 

 

Can I bring my own food? 

Absolutely. There are picnic tables scattered throughout the grounds for your convenience. 

 

What happens if it rains? 

The ceremony will take place under the Margaret Brent Pavilion and will go on rain or shine. Maryland Dove will be open for tours unless there is lightning. Under Coast Guard regulations, the waterfront area will need to close, and the ship’s staff will move to inside the State House. All other sites are rain or shine. Children’s activities will be held under a tent in the case of inclement weather. Check the museum website, www.HSMCdigsHistory.org or social media for updates. 

 

Where will I be able to see the ships sail in?

There are a few great options at Historic St. Mary’s City

• Chancellor’s Point. Park in the parking area and walk down to the beach.
• Margaret Brent Gazebo area
• Daffodil Gulch beach area
• State House bluff

The ships should be arriving between 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Sails may or may not be up, its weather dependent. 

 

 

 

Find more information about the Maryland Dove here.