The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park is set to host its annual Winter Lecture Series, featuring eight engaging sessions on consecutive Thursday evenings from January 9 to February 27, 2025. Each lecture begins at 7 p.m. and delves into topics such as maritime history, local heritage, science, and maritime art.
January 9: Celebrating American Sailing
It was a busy year in 2024 for the sport of sailing. A team of 13 American sailors competed in the Olympic Games in Marseilles, France and the 37Defense of the America's Cup was sailed in Barcelona, Spain. Annapolis Hall of Fame sailor covered the Olympics for NBC and traveled to Barcelona for the America's Cup. He will present a first- hand account of the action from his unique perspective. Jobson will also give a presentation on the state of sailing and where the sport is heading in the future. He will also talk about his new book, The Characters of the America's Cup.
$10 Admission and FREE for First Mate & Above Museum Members. Limited seating. Please register and reserve your spot. Virtual option available, please reserve virtual spot to receive zoom link.
January 16: Chesapeake Bay in Story and Song
Jefferson Holland, Chesapeake Troubadour and Annapolis Poet Laureate presents a delightful program of original tall tales, sing-along-songs and epic poetry inspired by the people, places and especially the traditional boats of the Bay: Pirates! Cannibal crabs! And the Key to Annapolis History explained in eight stanzas! Holland has entertained audiences on both shores of the Bay as well as both coasts of the continent, and this event is sure to be a sell-out.
$10 Admission and FREE for First Mate & Above Museum Members. Limited seating. Please register and reserve your spot. Virtual option available, please reserve virtual spot to receive zoom link.
January 23: American Blues: The Diverse, Delicious Story of the Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab
Join Chesapeake writer and historian Kate Livie as she shares the fascinating history of the Bay's crab industry through untold stories of the underdogs who shaped our cuisine and culture. From enslaved cooks and watermen, to Black entrepreneurs persevering and profiting during the height of Jim Crow, immigrant spice merchants and migrant pickers, Livie will share the history of the Chesapeake's iconic fishery -- and explore the ways climate change and globalization are threatening its future.
$10 Admission and FREE for First Mate & Above Museum Members. Limited seating. Please register and reserve your spot. Virtual option available, please reserve virtual spot to receive zoom link.
January 30: Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse Celebrates 150 Years of Service
The Thomas Point Shoal lighthouse, guiding mariners since 1875, marks its 150th anniversary in 2025. The history includes significant events like the grounding of a British warship in 1812 and battles during the Oyster Wars. John Potvin will cover its history, preservation efforts, and lessons learned, featuring photos by David Sites.
2025 is the 150th anniversary of the lighthouse lighting. We will explore the different generations of history from the United States Lighthouse Service, the Coast Guard era, the automation of the light and ultimately the transfer of the light to the City of Annapolis and cooperative partnership with the Annapolis Maritime Museum, the Chesapeake Chapter of the United States Lighthouse Society and the long term commitment of this National Historic Landmark.
From there, we will discuss the repair, maintenance and preservation of the lighthouse, including some of the pitfalls and lessons learned. The slide show presentation will feature some beautiful pictures of local photographer David Sites.
$10 Admission and FREE for First Mate & Above Museum Members. Limited seating. Please register and reserve your spot. Virtual option available, please reserve virtual spot to receive zoom link.
February 6: A Reckless Night a Path to Freedom
Author David Gendell tells the story of the HMS Menelaus on the Chesapeake in 1814, including a failed raid that led to the death of a top Royal Navy captain and the frigate's role in helping enslaved people escape from the Annapolis area.
A Royal Navy frigate on the Chesapeake Bay carries a young captain to disaster and, a few months later, provides a path to escape for a large group of enslaved people. Author David Gendell unpacks the amazing story of the HMS MENELAUS on the Chesapeake in 1814 including an ill-conceived moonlight raid on the Upper Eastern Shore that ended with the death of one of the Royal Navy's highest profile captains and the frigate's leading role in the escape of dozens of enslaved people from the Annapolis area.
$10 Admission and FREE for First Mate & Above Museum Members. Limited seating. Please register and reserve your spot. Virtual option available, please reserve virtual spot to receive zoom link.
February 13: Resilience in Practice: Adapting to Sea Level Rise in Annapolis
Stantec representative, Cameron Ramey, will discuss Sea Level Rise (SLR) planning at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. The focus will be on "resilience in practice" at the community, resident, and industry levels. Ramey will highlight key Sea Level Rise-related projects
$10 Admission and FREE for First Mate & Above Museum Members. Limited seating. Please register and reserve your spot. Virtual option available, please reserve virtual spot to receive zoom link.
February 20: Pictured in Time: An Artist's Journey Around the Chesapeake
Neil Harpe's new book, Pictured in Time: An Artist's Journey Around the Chesapeake, features over 125 unpublished 1980s and '90s Chesapeake Bay photographs.
The book also showcases the artwork inspired by these iconic images.
$10 Admission and FREE for First Mate & Above Museum Members. Limited seating. Please register and reserve your spot. Virtual option available, please reserve virtual spot to receive zoom link.
February 27: Chesapeake Invaders: The Ecology and Economics of Blue Catfish on the Bay
Photographer Jay Fleming will share photos and stories on the invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay, highlighting its economic and ecological impacts.
Chef Matthew Lego from LEO will discuss the culinary qualities of blue catfish and offer samples to the audience.
$10 Admission and FREE for First Mate & Above Museum Members. Limited seating. Please register and reserve your spot. Virtual option available, please reserve virtual spot to receive zoom link.
Registration Details
Pre-registration is strongly suggested due to limited space. A registration fee of $10 per person is payable at the door on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is free for First Mate members ($150) and above.
For more information and to register, visit the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park's Winter Lecture Series page.