Annual Report RELEVANCE | AUTHENTICITY | STEWARDSHIP 2014-2015 1 A Message from the Board Board of Building Community Educational Governors by Richard C. Tilghman, Jr., 2014-2015 Chair 2014-2015 Partnerships, One Oyster at a Time Richard C. Tilghman, Jr., Chair It’s been quite a year for the Museum— Henry H. Stansbury, Vice Chair By Kate Livie welcoming a new President, celebrating James P. Harris, Treasurer our 50th anniversary, enjoying record- Richard J. Bodorff, Secretary breaking attendance, and the addition of Diane J. Staley, Officer-At-Large “Hey, check this thing out! It’s totally see-through!” several new programs, among other calls one boy across the table, handling a naked goby. worthy accomplishments. Schuyler Benson Paul Berry Small and fragile in his hand, the fish wriggles as it is You’ll notice this year’s Annual Report Harry W. Burton proffered up for the rest of the group to see. “Ew!” one covers a ten-month period beginning May 1, William B. Carter 2014 and ending February 28, 2015. Moving William S. Dudley student shouts, recoiling a little. forward, our fiscal year will run March 1 David E. Dunn “No, it’s cool, you can see its insides,” responds another, Dagmar D. P. Gipe through the end of February. We made this Leeds Hackett before the little fish is carefully deposited into a plastic change to better align the Museum’s fiscal E. Brooke Harwood, Jr. container of water teeming with other oyster reef inhab- year-end activities with available resources. Christopher A. Havener itants. These six students are clustered around the table, Robert N. Hockaday, Jr. The changes maximize the focus of annual Francis Hopkinson, Jr. one working group out of a class of 25. fund activity to coincide with year-end taxes, Fred Israel As part of the Exploring and Restoring Chesapeake which in turn, help improve cash flow in the Richard J. Johnson Oysters program, the students have walked from St. winter months, offsetting lower admission Peter M. Kreindler Deborah Lawrence Michaels High School to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime revenue. The shift in schedule also frees up Elizabeth S. Loker Museum to take final measurements of the oyster cages limited staff resources to be able to work on Frank C. Marshall they’ve adopted. Each oyster must be individually critical activities in the spring, such as exhibition openings, education programs, and Patrice Miller Geoffrey F. Oxnam measured and weighed, and the tiny creatures that live readying the campus for high season. Bruce A. Ragsdale on them—fish, barnacles, mud crabs, grass shrimp— I’m happy to report the Museum’s solid financial footing continues to improve Charles A. Robertson thanks to the leadership of Kristen Greenaway and her team. Our balance sheet is Bruce Rogers are sorted and tallied. stronger: we have paid down $2.6M of debt over the last six years; we have $22.4M Stevens S. Sands The students, accompanied by their teacher Lauren Lelde Schmitz Greer, are immersed in their hands-on task. It is messy, in net assets, compared to $19.7M six years ago; and we’ve had six years of operating Richard W. Snowdon fund surpluses, which we’ve put to good use for much-needed education programs and Alfred Tyler, 2nd wet and muddy, and yet every student is laughing, campus maintenance. Carolyn H. Williams talking, and pointing things out to each other. To a We are positioned for increased growth in both our boat donation program and our EMERITI teacher, this is successful engagement. To the Museum, facility and grounds rentals. We’ve added new on-the-water programs, such as small this is mission fulfillment. And to a student, this is real craft rentals, and have completed major maintenance and capital projects including Richard T. Allen science—alive and thriving, out of a textbook and into the rehab of the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse and other historic structures. With CG Appleby Howard S. Freedlander the Chesapeake Bay. Students from St. Michaels High School sort and weigh oysters from new, changing exhibitions such as A Broad Reach: 50 Years of Collecting—which I highly Alan R. Griffith The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum recognizes that the cages they’ve “adopted.” encourage everyone to come see—new education and boatbuilding programs, festivals Margaret D. Keller it takes a village to raise a child, and within our community and signature events, there is always something for folks of all ages to experience. Breene M. Kerr Richard H. Kimberly “village,” we are fortunate to have a wide spectrum of Don’t miss the Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival and Maritime Model Expo on Charles L. Lea, Jr. non-profit organizations dedicated to providing uniquely and hands-on experiences. By working collaboratively, October 3 & 4—it’s a great opportunity to explore the world of small craft and get D. Ted Lewers, MD out on the water. This year’s OysterFest falls on Halloween, October 31 and is always Fred C. Meendsen enriching learning opportunities for our local children. CBMM, Phillips Wharf, and Talbot County Public a can’t-miss event with live music, retriever demonstrations, boat rides, and of course, John C. North II Exploring and Restoring Chesapeake Oysters was the Schools created an educational experience with greater Sumner Parker product of just such a collaboration between Greer, a dimension and relevance than they could have achieved oysters! Robert A. Perkins Thank you for your continued support of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum— Joseph E. Peters member of CBMM’s Friends Board, Kate Livie, CBMM’s alone—transforming the humble oyster into a powerful whether you’re a member, guest, volunteer, sponsor, board member, or someone who James K. Peterson director of education, and Carol McCollough, biologist tool to explore Chesapeake history, science, and culture. Norman H. Plummer shares our love and enthusiasm for the Bay and its people—it’s because of you we’re John J. Roberts and educator with Phillips Wharf Environmental Center. Our year-long program featured lectures on the role of able to celebrate the last 50 years and begin reaching forward to the next 50 years. I Henry H. Spire Borne of the simple desire to share a passion for oysters the oyster in the Chesapeake’s fisheries and its place as an can’t wait to see what lies ahead. James E. Thomas with local students, the program was designed to introduce environmental keystone species, live oyster dissections, and Joan Darby West Donald G. Whitcomb local environmental science students to the rich ecology, guidance on correct scientific data collection techniques culture, and biology of oysters through in-class activities and methods. At the end of the program, participants would 2 ANNUAL REPORT, 2014-2015 3 get to apply what they had learned on oyster “nurseries” Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s before heading out on CBMM’s buyboat Winnie Estelle to plant the mature oysters on a sanctuary. At each step along the way, the three program collabora- HONOR ROLL OF DONORS tors from CBMM, Phillips Wharf, and Talbot County Public Schools shared their professional expertise and We extend our deepest gratitude to our donors for gifts received between May 1, 2014 and February 28, 2015. It is only through practical insights. The result was an organic learning the generosity of our friends and supporters that the Museum can fulfill its mission and impact lives by igniting a spark of experience—informed by best practices and a community- interest and passion for the Chesapeake Bay and its heritage and culture. Gifts of $101 or more are listed below. Please see our driven sense of place—that was so engaging students didn’t Annual Report online at cbmm.org for donors of $100 or less. Every gift, no matter the size, is greatly appreciated! Thank you! realize they were being taught. “I really feel the program did a wonderful job of engag- ing all the types of students I have, from the ones who work Admiral of the Sea Trish & Brooke Harwood Joe Robillard Susan & Andy Hess Robert M. Hewes Krista & David Ross Cathy & Tom Hill on the water with their families to those who have never ($50,000 and above) Cynthia & Peter Kellogg Mary & Rick Schilling Laura & Tom Hollingshead been out on a boat before,” commented Greer. Karen & Dick Kimberly Kathleen & Charlie Lea Irene & Daniel Simpkins Jayne & Dave Horner Ginger Martus Marguerite & Gerry Lenfest Sally & Roger Stobbart Elizabeth & Gordon Hughes “Going out to the Museum was really powerful. Some- Maxine & Bill Millar Mariana & Pete Lesher Alison & Phil Thompson Pam & Jerry Jana times we can worksheet them to death, and it was an Patrice & Herb Miller Beth Loker & Donald Rice Keri & Sevan Topjian Nancy & John Kendall Fran & Sumner Parker Sherry & Charles Manning Debra Vess Jill Kent & Mark Solomons authentic, organic experience where they were learning Carol & Charlie Robertson Robin & John Marrah Ellen & John Villa Deborah Kudner the entire time but because it was so hands-on, they didn’t Alice & Bruce Rogers Juliette C. McLennan Gayle & Mike Yoh Daniele & David Lees Judy & Henry Stansbury Nancy & Fred Meendsen Bob Lonergan really register it as ‘school.’” Greer continued, “I think it Beverly & Richard Tilghman Charlotte & George Meyer Captain Elizabeth Lord really changed student’s perception about what environ- Elizabeth Moose ($1,000 to $2,499) Ken Lubin Admiral of the Chesapeake Julie Moriarty & Bob Hockaday Velma & Earl MacBride mental science is—it opened up their eyes to what real Bill Acosta Beverley & Stanley Martin ($25,000 to $49,999) Pemmy & Jack Noble science looks like and what kinds of jobs they might get Ethel & Judge John C. North Holly & Mark Backus Stephanie & John McGowan Pattie & Mike Batza Bruce Ragsdale & Rick Scobey Malcolm Bahrenburg Mirna & Conrad Nelson in the future.” Ellen & Richard Bodorff Rosa & Steve Sands Jean Marie & Duane Beckhorn Doris & Bill Nielsen Greer credits the success of the program in large part to Dagmar & Al Gipe Nancy & Bill Stafford Holly & Walter Beckwith Ceci & Rob Nobel Pam & Jim Harris René & Tom Stevenson Susan Heyn Billipp & Andrew Billipp Gwen & Carl Oppenheim CBMM’s presence within the community.