Our Goal
Our primary job here is to restore the last remaining ark boat in Rock Hall. The shanty boat was sitting for years in neglect and disrepair – a sad remnant of its once important role on the Chesapeake Bay. With much research, hard work and volunteer labor it is being restored. The goal is to keep Rock Hall and Kent County’s cultural heritage alive and known to future generations.
What Are Fishing Shanties?
Shanty “ark” boats, as they were commonly referred to, served as temporary housing for watermen on the Chesapeake Bay from about the 1880s through the 1930s. Purely utilitarian in nature, they were generally built by watermen using inexpensive materials, often scraps, and were of varying specifications.
The Chesapeake & Beyond
For over 350 years, much of Kent County, Maryland’s land has been perpetually farmed and can be found much as it was before the state was colonized. Some farms are still held by the generational families who settled here in the early 1600’s. By 2022 close to 8,000 acres have been put into conservation easements in Kent County.
Education & Outreach
From Pre-K through gray, our Education team is active with all ages. We plan to reach a growing number of local school students each year through field trips to schools, exhibits, and outreach programs.
If you are an educator or involved in an organization, do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. Outreach visits are listed on the calendar.
Preserving the past, present and future through restoration, advocacy and education