Buy Your Very Own Keepsake Ornament Today for only $20!  Beautifully hand-painted by Artist Jackie Miller, these ornaments benefit the preservation of Skipjack Nellie L. Byrd, a National Treasure.

BERTH ANNOUNCEMENT – THE SKIPJACK — NELLIE L. BYRD—

Chesapeake Bay Memories Charities is pleased to announce a special addition to the community of Wilson Point in Middle River.  “Nellie” is an addition of which all Baltimore County businesses and residents can be proud! 

The Skipjack Nellie L. Byrd was born in Oriole, Maryland in 1911 with an on-deck length of 53.5 feet.  As one of only 13 surviving skipjacks still working in the oyster-dredging fleet, “Nellie” is one of the oldest skipjacks, in addition to the 2^nd largest, still dredging the Chesapeake Bay.   

Memorial Day weekend, 2005, “Nellie”- having been carefully and lovingly delivered by members of the CBM Team,  arrived at her new berth on Dark Head Creek. 

In addition to being the official boat of our beloved Maryland, the Skipjack is a cherished symbol commemorating Chesapeake Bay heritage. The National Trust for Historic Preservation designated the fleet, including the Nellie L. Byrd, one of “America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.”

“Nellie” is in need of many repairs and upgrades.  Your generous monetary donations, services, or supplies (all tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law FEIN: 41-2062179) are greatly appreciated.

To donate to the restoration of The Nellie L. Byrd, please make your check payable to “Chesapeake Bay Memories Charities” and reference “Nellie” in the remarks or memo section of your check. Our contact information appears below.

-The Skipjack Nellie L. Byrd-

Display your limited edition print with pride. The proceeds from the purchase of this print support the restoration of a national treasure. This is an exceptional museum quality authentic Giclee print, capturing all the subtle tonalities of the original watercolor painted by Artist Jackie Miller whose artwork is displayed throughout the world. Fine quality Giclee prints have a light fastness rating of 80 years based on accelerating testing of prints on specialty media.

The Skipjack Nellie L. Byrd was built in Oriole, Maryland in 1911. As one of only 13 surviving skipjacks still working in the oyster-dredging fleet, “Nellie” is one of the oldest skipjacks, in addition to the 2nd largest, still dredging the Chesapeake Bay. In addition to being the official boat of our beloved Maryland, the Skipjack is a cherished symbol commemorating Chesapeake Bay heritage. The National Trust for Historic Preservation named the fleet, including the Nellie L. Byrd, one of “America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.”

Chesapeake Bay Memories Charities acquired and delivered her to her new berth on Middle River May 2005 to become the first Baltimore County based Skipjack open to the public for public education. Once her restoration is completed, “Nellie” will serve as a floating classroom for children of all ages as the centerpiece of Chesapeake Bay Memories Charities’ Maryland Maritime Treasures Museum.

Chesapeake Bay Memories Charities is a six year old Eastern Baltimore County based charitable education organization. During our first six years, Chesapeake Bay Memories Charities has benefited over 12,500 children through participation ashore and afloat in our Chesapeake Bay stewardship leadership programs.

Chesapeake Bay Memories Charities is dedicated to providing public access to experiencing the multi-faceted significance of the Chesapeake Bay to encourage preservation through education. We serve and strengthen the community by providing multiple opportunities to participate in meaningful bay experiences through 8 Divisions. Please feel free to visit our website www.chesapeakebaymemories.org to learn about each division and how we benefit the public.

Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences Enables New Mobile Interpretative Display Panels To Enhance Learning Experiences at Baltimore County Public Schools

Spring 2007- Thanks to a $1,000 grant from the Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences and local community support, festival goers, program participants at area public schools now have 8 mobile interpretative display panels to enhance their learning experience and understanding of the skipjack fleet and importance of preserving Chesapeake Bay heritage:

1. What is it Like to Live and Work on Board a Skipjack?
2. Jobs and Pay On Board the Skipjack Nellie L. Byrd and other Skipjacks
3. From the Bay to Your Table: Have You Ever Wondered How the Food You Eat Go to Your Dinner Table? - A Day in the Life of an Oyster Packinghouse
4. Oyster Wars and Pirates on the Chesapeake
5. How did Advertising Make Eating Canned Oysters Popular?
6. The Mystery of the Disappearing Oyster
7. How do Bay Residents Impact the Bay and the Oyster?
8. What was the Importance of Oysters and Oystering to Chesapeake Bay Communities?

The content for these panels is based on sections of the "Oystering on the Chesapeake" curriculum that the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michael's provided us in 2006 to assist us with education efforts. 

(above) The Skipjack Nellie L. Byrd in her berth here at Chesapeake Bay Memories Charities Maryland Maritime Treasures Museum.

In the below photo, taken beside one of the oyster dredges generously donated by Captain Mike Hayden, volunteers Ed Canaan and Tom Bean hold one of Skipjack Nellie L. Byrd's magnificent trailboards. These trailboards were generously carved by Edward R. Thieler, M.D., of Easton, Maryland and presented to the Skipjack Nellie L. Byrd on April 17, 2001.