ST. MICHAELS, Md., – Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks is coming to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.
CBMM is thrilled to welcome Brickwrecks, an international touring exhibition that blends world‑class LEGO artistry with maritime archaeology, hands-on learning, and compelling storytelling, to its waterfront campus for a six-month run beginning May 15, 2027.
Developed by the Australian National Maritime Museum in partnership with the Western Australian Museum and Ryan “The Brickman” McNaught—one of only 14 LEGO Certified Professionals worldwide—Brickwrecks uses LEGO bricks to meticulously recreate iconic shipwrecks and bring maritime history to life for guests of all ages.
The exhibition explores eight shipwrecks, including the famed Titanic, spanning 3,000 years with stories spotlighting exploration, trade, innovation, environmental impact, and human resilience. Each LEGO model is paired with real artifacts, replica objects, multimedia, and interactive experiences to create an immersive and memorable journey.
In all, the exhibition features more than 153,000 LEGO bricks within its models, plus creation areas for both children and adults, and took more than 1,600 hours to build. Learn more at cbmm.org/Brickwrecks.
“This is a truly transformative moment for CBMM,” said Kristen Greenaway, CBMM’s Ellen & Richard Bodorff President & CEO. “Brickwrecks is an exceptional exhibition that has captivated museumgoers around the world. These extraordinary LEGO creations and powerful maritime stories are a wonderful complement to the storytelling across our campus, and we are delighted to share this one-of-a-kind experience with our community and new friends across the region next year.”
After stops in Australia, Sweden, and England, Brickwrecks made its North American debut this year at Mystic Seaport Museum. In 2027, the exhibition will head to the Chesapeake, a region known for shipwrecks because of the Bay’s shallow waters, shifting shoals, and unpredictable conditions that have challenged generations of mariners.
Brickwrecks highlights the evolving relationship between people and the sea—past, present, and future—through the wrecks it explores and accompanying hands-on elements designed to spark learning and imagination.
Guests travel through time from the Bronze Age Uluburun shipwreck, offering a rare glimpse into ancient global trade, to the modern Rena container ship grounding off New Zealand that created a major environmental disaster.
Along the way, guests are invited to investigate what caused the Swedish warship Vasa to capsize, pilot a remotely operated vehicle beneath Arctic ice, explore the decisions and challenges faced by passengers and crew aboard Titanic, and help clean oil from wildlife in response to a modern environmental threat. There’s also a DUPLO® blocks creation area for young children to build scenes inspired by the sea.
Brickwrecks at CBMM will be included with general admission, which is always free for CBMM members.
CBMM members become a part of the Chesapeake story and join CBMM’s mission of preservation and exploration. To get ready for Brickwrecks, join today by visiting cbmm.org/memberships or contacting Membership Services Coordinator Debbie Ruzicka at 410-745-4991 or [email protected].
Stay tuned for details on CBMM’s Bricks on the Bay opening celebration, plus more exhibition-inspired programming and events ahead next year.
CBMM is grateful for donor support helping bring Brickwrecks to the Chesapeake. Additional sponsorship opportunities remain available for individuals and organizations interested in supporting this international exhibition at CBMM.
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is a non-profit educational organization that preserves and explores the history, environment, and culture of the entire Chesapeake Bay region, and makes this resource accessible to all.
Every aspect of fulfilling this mission is driven by CBMM’s values of relevance, authenticity, and stewardship, along with a commitment to providing engaging guest experiences and transformative educational programming, all while serving as a vital community partner. Learn more at cbmm.org
