Tuckerton Seaport and Baymen's Museum Provide Historical Context For Barnegat Bay

Galloway residents may be aware of the importance of Barnegat Bay to the environment and ecosystems in our area, and a trip to Tuckerton Seaport and Baymen’s Museum at 120 West Main Street in historic Tuckerton, New Jersey is an enjoyable way for families and friends to see the role the maritime traditions of past and present play in New Jersey’s history.

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. rain or shine, this working maritime museum features recreated historic buildings, demonstrations, live aquatic displays, festivals, and hands-on activities that appeal to young and old alike.

You can stroll the boardwalk along what locals call the Tuckerton “crik,” walk the nature trail, see garveys, sneak boxes, cruising yachts and party boats displayed on land and in the water. You might even decide to cruise the creek aboard Wasting Time, a classic charter boat built in Tuckerton.

Begin your day at the Visitor’s Center. From there you can see the Skinner/Donnelly and Periwinkle houseboats showing a way of life that ended many years ago. There’s Joe Dayton’s Sawmill, Perrine Boatworks, Parson’s Clam and Oyster House, the Jersey Shore Folklife Center and much more.

Along the way you’ll meet decoy carvers, boat builders, basket weavers and baymen. There’s Crest Fishery, The Hotel DeCrab the Sea Captain’s House circa 1835, and the oldest house in Ocean County – the Andrews Bartlett Homestead dating to 1709 – and still more.

Much of the work at Tuckerton Seaport is done by volunteers. They have junior volunteers, internships, and docents/tour leaders. For information on volunteering, call 609-296-8868 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Admission: $8 for adults; $6 for seniors; $3 for children ages 6-12; and children 5-and-under get in free.

Tuckerton Seaport and Baymen’s Museum participates in the Blue Star Museums Program. This means that active military personnel and up to four family members will be admitted free.

There are a number of festivals and activities during the year. For information call 609-296-8868, or log onto www.tuckertonseaport.org.

The next major event at Tuckerton Seaport is the fourth annual New Jersey Maritime Heritage Celebration scheduled for Aug. 19^-21, with the 11^th annual Gala Fundraiser to begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, during the celebration.