The Mariners Museum presents Endangered Species: Watermen of the Chesapeake featuring B & W portraits of watermen who work the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. On view through May 2, 2011.
“It ain’t just the bay that’s threatened. It’s the watermen. We’re getting to be an endangered species.” – Tucker Brown, Maryland Waterman
Today’s watermen are faced with environmental regulations, declining oyster, blue crab, and fish populations, and the increasingly endangered waters of the nation’s largest estuary. Because the declining fishing and crabbing industries are on the verge of collapse, so too are the livelihoods and way of life of these watermen and women. Photographer, Glen McClure, has captured the power, dignity, and spirit of these watermen in his striking portraits of what could be an “endangered species.”
The Museum’s collection totals approximately 35,000 artifacts, of which approximately one-third are paintings and two-thirds are three-dimensional objects. The scope of the Museum’s collection is international. Included are 10 permanent galleries, changing and traveling exhibits, and virtual galleries available through the museum website. The collection of over 600,000 prints and 35,000 maritime artifacts is international in scope and includes miniature ship models, scrimshaw, maritime paintings, decorative arts, carved figureheads, and working steam engines. The museum holds an important collection of paintings and drawings by marine artist James Bard. The museum offers educational programs for all ages, a large research library and archives, as well as publications and Internet resources for teachers.
The Mariners Museum
100 Museum Drive
Newport News, VA 23606
Phone: (757) 596-2222
Fax: (757) 591-7320
[email protected]