John Smith Water Trail

Fourth Buoy to be Deployed Saturday

Join the Deltaville Maritime Museum in celebrating the 400th anniversary of Capt. John Smith's infamous landing at Stingray Point, VA. A reenactment of the landing is scheduled for July 17. It will be repeated on July 19 along with the official deployment of the Capt. John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail's fourth Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy. These unique "smart" buoys provide real-time weather and water observations along with historical and interpretive information at locations along the Trail. Their information can be accessed by RSS feed, mobile browser, or phone at 1-877-BUOYBAY.

Shallop Race this Weekend

Watch history in action as three boats, each a unique modern interpretation of the vessel Captain John Smith used to explore the Chesapeake Bay 400 years ago, race around Annapolis Harbor on Saturday, May 3 at high noon. Who got it right? The boat built by the Reedville Fishermen's Museum, Deltaville Maritime Museum, or Sultana Projects in Chestertown?

The race is part of the Maryland Maritime Heritage Festival and celebrates Bay sailing history and the creation of the new Capt. John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.

Admission is free. For more information, visit the Maryland Maritime Heritage Festival website http://www.mdmhf.org/view.asp?id=526&page=32732

Photo by Raynell Smith, Deltaville Maritime Museum Director, last August when the Shallops met in Deltaville.

John Smith Trail to Help Watermen

Chesapeake College, the Maryland Watermen's Association, and The Conservation Fund recently submitted a $1.5 million grant proposal to the U.S. Department of Labor that would provide training for watermen to give tours on the John Smith Trail. If awarded, we hope this program will not only highlight the Bay's natural and historical heritage but also shape a new sustainable industry that can help preserve the Bay's unique sense of place.

This program was supported by the entire MD Congressional Delegation and Gov. O'Malley's Workforce Investment Board.