Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum receives bond bill funding for capital improvements

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum recently announced $250,000 in grant funding from the State of Maryland to support museum enhancements, safety, and security. This is the second Bond Bill in two years that CBMM has been awarded in support of capital improvements on campus.

The funding was awarded through the Maryland General Assembly’s Bond Bill program, which supports capital initiatives throughout the State. The bill supporting this funding was cross-filed with the Maryland Senate and the Maryland House, and was signed by Governor Larry Hogan.

“CBMM Board member Howard Freedlander was instrumental in helping us to achieve this hugely beneficial support from the State,” commented CBMM President Kristen Greenaway. “We are extremely grateful for the support, and much-needed funding.”

The project will include repairs to and restoration of a number of CBMM’s buildings, including resurfacing of the historic Knapps Narrows Bridge—which now stands at the entrance of CBMM—and an upgrade to CBMM’s campus-wide alert systems.

“This capital investment will make CBMM safer and more accessible for our nearly 70,000 annual guests,” continued Greenaway. “That includes the 3,500 students and teachers that annually participate in our educational tours, programs, and workshops.”

Since its beginnings in 1965, CBMM has grown from one historic building with a handful of artifacts to an 18-acre campus consisting of 19 buildings—nine of which are historic—including 11 exhibition buildings, a members-only marina, and more than 60,000 objects in the permanent collection.

“The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is extremely grateful for the State of Maryland’s generous support,” continued Greenaway. “With the State’s, and other philanthropic and grant support, we are able to expand the impact of our education, restoration, and exhibition programs to the children and adults CBMM serves.”

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is a world-class maritime museum dedicated to preserving and exploring the history, environment and people of the entire Chesapeake Bay, with the values of relevancy, authenticity, and stewardship guiding its mission. Serving nearly 70,000 guests each year, CBMM’s campus includes the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse, a floating fleet of historic boats, and numerous exhibition buildings situated in a park-like setting along the Miles River and St. Michaels’ harbor. For more information, visit www.cbmm.org