Richardson Maritime Museum sets annual Boatyard Bash fundraiser for Oct. 10

Richardson Maritime Museum will host its annual Boatyard Bash waterfront fundraiser in Cambridge, Maryland, on Oct. 10, with live music, boat and car displays, history talks and a new block-throwing competition. Proceeds will support the museum’s education, preservation and restoration work, plus its long-term plans for the historic campus.

Why it matters: - Boatyard Bash is a major fundraiser for Richardson Maritime Museum. - Proceeds support educational programs, preservation of nationally significant collections, restoration of historic vessels and operation of the living boatyard. - The event also helps fund youth boatbuilding projects, hands-on woodworking classes and community programs tied to Dorchester County and Chesapeake Bay maritime history.

What happened: - Richardson Maritime Museum will host the annual “Boatyard Bash — Where Heritage Drops Anchor” on Saturday, Oct. 10, from noon to 6 p.m. - The waterfront event takes place along Cambridge Creek in Cambridge, Maryland. - The museum says the event brings together the boating community, maritime history enthusiasts and families for an afternoon celebrating Chesapeake Bay heritage. - Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for ages 13-20 and free for children 12 and under. - The museum is located at 103 Hayward St.

The details: - Visitors will hear live music from G Method and Jason Morton and the Chesapeake Sons. - The schedule includes tours of the museum’s maritime collections and the historic Ruark Boatworks. - Programming also includes demonstrations, maritime history talks, competitions, local artisan vendors, nonprofits, food and beverages, fresh oysters and activities for children and adults. - Vintage boats from the Antique & Classic Boat Society-Chesapeake Bay Chapter will be on display. - Antique cars from the Bay Country Region-Antique Auto Club of America will also be featured. - A new event, the “Boatyard Challenge – The Block Competition,” will let local boatyards compete to see which crew member can throw a traditional wooden boatyard block the farthest. - The winning thrower will be named Dockyard Champion. - Members of the public will then have a chance to beat the winning throw. - Participation in the block competition requires a donation. - The audience champion will receive a $500 grand prize. - Regional historians Jim Duffy, Bud Marseilles, Lou Hyman and Jaelon Maloney will give hourly presentations. - Talks will cover Delmarva Tales, stories of Oyster Pirates, skipjack heritage and the people who shaped Maryland’s working waterfront. - Each presentation will include time for questions and discussion. - The Community Nautical Mosaic Project, led by local mosaic artist Sue Stockman, will invite visitors of all ages to add pieces to a permanent artwork. - The finished mosaic will become a public art installation at the museum. - The museum says the project will let hundreds of community members leave their mark on the museum’s history. - Sponsor and vendor information is available by email at office@richardsonmuseum.org or by phone at 410-221-1871.

Between the lines: - The museum is using the fundraiser to blend entertainment, heritage education and hands-on participation. - The new block competition and community mosaic are designed to make the event more interactive and help widen the fundraiser’s appeal beyond longtime maritime supporters. - Museum volunteers have also been cataloging thousands of artifacts and archival materials to make them easier for researchers and the public to use. - The museum is working toward buying its property so the campus and working boatyard can be preserved long term. - Board Chair Debbie Usab said the event is meant to celebrate Chesapeake Bay working waterfront traditions and help preserve Maryland’s maritime heritage for future generations.

What's next: - The Boatyard Bash will serve as a funding source for the museum’s ongoing programs and preservation work. - The museum plans to continue expanding youth boatbuilding, woodworking classes, exhibits and community events. - The completed nautical mosaic will remain as a permanent installation at the museum. - Long term, the museum wants to purchase its property to secure the historic campus and boatyard for future generations.

The bottom line: - Boatyard Bash is both a community festival and a core revenue event for a museum trying to preserve Chesapeake Bay maritime history while building a larger public role.