- Home - A waterfront Eastern Shore attraction, The Ward Museum has the world’s largest collection of antique decoys and a unique gift shop.
- About Us - We celebrate art, nature and tradition, the museum is named in honor of the Ward brothers and found in Salisbury MD.
- Mission, Vision, and Values - Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury University leads the way for advancing the understanding of wildfowl art and nature & culture.
- Accreditation - Ward Museum Receives Highest National RecognitionAwarded Accreditation from the American Association of Museums. Visit today!
- History - Established in 1968, the Ward Foundation dedicated to promoting wildfowl art and preserving the legacy of Eastern Shore decoy carvers, Lem and Steve Ward.
- The Ward Brothers - L. T. Ward & Bro. of Crisfield, MD created waterfowl decoys and decorative bird carvings that established a unique standard of artistic expression.
- Nature’s Counterfeiters: Lem and Steve Ward - Learn more about Lemuel T. Ward (1896-1984) and Stephen Ward (1895-1976) are world renowned as decoy makers and their history.
- Venue Rentals - The Ward Museum facility offers stunning waterfront views and a truly unique setting for any event. Contact us for your Salisbury MD Event planning.
- The Legacy Center - A Tribute to Fathers and Chesapeake Heritage: The John A. Luetkemeyer Sr. and Thomas F. Mullan Jr. Legacy Center.
- Grounds - Looking for a quality education experience out-of door, that is not a “wild” excursion or traditional playground? Check out The Ward Museum.
- Staff & Board of Directors - To contact a staff member by telephone, dial the main number listed above then press the appropriate extension. To email, use our Contact Us form.
- Institutional Facts - Museum Facilities Info:4.5 acres, 30,000 square feet, built in 1991 by Davis, Bowen and Friedel, Inc. with lead architect Mike Wigley
- Emergency Information - Please refer to our museum map for information regarding emergency situations.
- Mission, Vision, and Values - Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury University leads the way for advancing the understanding of wildfowl art and nature & culture.
- Hours & Admission - Outside waterfront relaxation awaits you. Walk the Sculpture Garden, the nature trail, observe native plants and wildlife, fish off the pier and more!
- Plan Your Visit - The Ward Museum of Wildfowl art is located at 909 South Schumaker Drive, Salisbury MD. Plan your visit to see us with the family or a large group.
- Group Tours - Book a tour of 15 or more at a special rate of $3.50 per person. What a unique way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or other special event!
- Treetops Gifts
- Join & Support - There are many ways to get involved with the Ward Museum! You may start by visiting our galleries or attending an educational class.
- Membership
- Donate - The Ward Foundation and Ward Museum has relied on the generosity of private individuals and businesses that have made financial contributions.
- Capital Campaign - Join our effort to renew and expand the Ward Museum for the our community and generations to come. Please consider a gift today to help us reach our goal.
- Vehicles For Charity - Wondering what to do with your used car or truck? Donating your old vehicle to The Ward Museum and help us continue to contribute to our community.
- Planned Giving - You can help ensure the Ward Museum’s future with flexible options other than cash donations through planned giving. Donate today!
- Annual Raffle - Tickets are on sale now! Call the store at 410-742-4988 ext. 120 to purchase tickets.
- Corporate Partners & Sponsorship - The museum’s Corporate Partner program offers recognition to businesses donating $150 or more during the calendar year. Your patronage is appreciated.
- Benefits - Recently the Corporate Membership program was revised to accommodate businesses and their staff associates. Have your business join today.
- Become a Volunteer - Join a growing group of enthusiastic people who enjoy art, nature and tradition in all the facets of the Ward Museum and volunteer here.
- Volunteer - For more information on how to volunteer at Ward Museum, contact Mary Kline, Volunteer Coordinator at mekline@salisbury.edu or (410)742-4988 ext. 109
- Employment Opportunities - View current employment opportunities at The Ward Museum in Salisbury Maryland with a various type of positions available at times.
- Jobs & Internships - Intern at the Ward Museuem of Wildfowl Art In Salisbury Maryland. The Ward Museum will assist the intern in receiving course credit, where available.
- Events - Ward Museums special events provide opportunity for wildfowl artist to exhibit works, interpret related activities, social opportunities and support.
- World Championship - Join us next year for the 49th Annual Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving and Art Festival in Ocean City, Maryland taking place April 26-28, 2019.
- Benefit Auction - All proceeds benefit the Ward Museum of Wildfowl ArtItems donated by renowned wildlife artists at our yearly Ward Museum Benefit Auction.
- Auction Preview - Follow the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art on Facebook today to be updated on new pieces as they are prepped for the Auction.
- Event Schedule - Monday – Thursday: The Educational Conference offers 1 to 3 day carving classes from master carvers.
- Future Show Dates - Plan today to join our competition with our future Show Dates for The Ward World Championships
- Habbart Dean Memorial Fund - Help support the Habbart Dean Memorial Fund, an excellent means to honor Habbart’s legacy as well as to promote the art form of wildfowl carving
- Living Legends - The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art honors Robert Kerr, Oliver “Tuts” Lawson and David Turner with the Ward Foundation 2018 Living Legends Award.
- Andrew “Tan” Brunet - Brunet chooses to use the bare minimum of modern tools in the construction of his decoys. He calls himself a primarily a “hatchet man.”
- Curt Fabre - In the early 1980s Curt started supplying other carvers with tools and wood, developing his business, Curt’s Wildfowl Corner.
- Ernie Muehlmatt - Ernie Muehlmatt is known for his many carving innovations, including burning for color and one piece carvings. He wrote and co-authored several books.
- D. Bennett Scott - In the mid-1960s Bennett started to carve at work to pass the time, at first he states, “you could put the heads on either end.”
- Robert Guge - Guge is mostly self-taught but his biggest influences have come from Harold Haertel and Cigar Daisey, trying to capture the essence of the bird.
- Robert Kerr - Bob started carving in the sixth grade, primary focus on carving miniature horses out of bars of ivory soap, then his teenage years hunting for wildfowl.
- Floyd Scholz - Floyd Scholz is universally recognized as one of the preeminent woodcarvers and painters in the world today, heavily influenced by the late John Scheeler.
- John B. Garton - It was a challenge for Garton to work left-handed, but within two months, he managed to produce fourteen decoys for his own use.
- Oliver “Tuts” Lawson - Oliver “Tuts” Lawson (b. 1938) began carving when he was only nine years old, shortly before he began his lifelong relationship with the Ward brothers.
- Tom Christie - Tom Christie (b. 1956) grew up in Marion, IN and developed a fascination with wildfowl at an early age. His first exposure to waterfowl was “jump-shooting”
- World Photo Gallery - View World Photo Gallery from The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury Maryland.
- World Sponsors - The Ward World Championship is the premier carving competition in the World and this is your opportunity to associate your name with this prestigious event.
- World Volunteer Opportunities - Help out today by becoming a Ward World Championship Volunteer. View a list of current opportunities for our next event.
- Ward World Championship Classes, Lectures, and Workshops
- Accommodations - Listing of Accommodating Friends for Ward World Championship in Ocean City, MD. Please support the hotels and motels that support us.
- Become an Exhibitor - Our exhibitors are a very important part of the Ward World Championship event. Learn how you can become an exhibitor with us here at Ward Museum today.
- 2020 Indoor & Outdoor Exhibitors - Vendors sell many types of wood such as basswood, tupelo and driftwood in the parking lot of the convention center during the World Championship.
- Exhibitor Photo Gallery - View Exhibitor Photo Gallery from The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury Maryland.
- Exhibitor Testimonials - Our exhibitors are an integral part of the success of the Ward World Championship. Read testimonials from our exhibitors.
- Winners List - View a full list of 2018 Ward World Championship Winners. Also check out previous winners from years past of Ward Champions.
- History of World Champions - View the History of World Champions in Wildfowl art and carving from The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art
- Chesapeake Challenge - Join us for the 21th Annual Chesapeake Wildfowl Expo Ward Museum Salisbury MD. The crisp fall air and grounds of the museum will once again set the stage
- Become a Competitor - This competition pays tribute to the old decoy while encouraging the carving of new ones. Become a Wildfowl Competitor, contact us for details
- Buy, Sell and Trade - Vendors participate in the buying, selling and trading of an mix of fine antique decoys, folk art, and collectible waterfowling, hunting and fishing items.
- Chesapeake Wildfowl Expo Sponsors - View a list of expo sponsors for our big event each year at The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury Maryland.
- Future Chesapeake Wildfowl Show Dates - View Future Wildfowl Show Dates at The Ward Museum
- Interpretive Signage - Learn more about Interpretive Signage with the wildfowl experts and decoy makers here at The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury Maryland.
- NEA Sponsored Project - Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, was awarded a grant by the National Endowment for the Arts to support the project “Carving Out Future Decoy Makers”.
- Continuing the Decoy Tradition Video - Keep learning with The Ward Museums “Continuing the Decoy Tradition” Video from the decoy and wildfowl experts here in Salisbury MD.
- Chesapeake Wildfowl Expo
- Chesapeake Wildfowl Photo Gallery - View photos of the Wildfowl Photo Gallery from previous years from The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury Maryland.
- Chesapeake Challenge Winners Lists - View winners of the Chesapeake Challenge and The “Old Bird” Antique Decoy Competition from The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury Maryland.
- 50th Anniversary - Get your tickets now for the 50th Anniversary Golden Goose Reception & Auction at The Ward Museum in Salisbury Maryland.
- Anniversary Photos - Photos from 50th Anniversary Golden Goose Reception & Auction at The Ward Museum.
- Ward Museum Photo Festival - Join this The nature photography competition held during the Art in Nature Photo Festival is open to Professional, Amateur and Youth photographers.
- Ward Museum Photo Festival Winners List - Congratulations to all of the winners in the Art in Nature Photo Competition from The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury Maryland.
- Art in Nature Photo Gallery - Enjoy stunning images with The Ward museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury Maryland’s Art in Nature Photo Gallery right here.
- Education Conference - The Ward Museum Education Department offers a wide variety of workshops, field sessions, and seminars lead by expert photographers.
- Winter Wonderland - Winter Wonderland crafts include decorating paper trees, holiday cards, wooden ‘gingerbread’ ornaments, and snow globe ornaments.
- World Championship - Join us next year for the 49th Annual Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving and Art Festival in Ocean City, Maryland taking place April 26-28, 2019.
- Education - View events and programs for kids and adults with the Educational programming at the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art.
- Professional Development - Get Professional Development Training for Educators like our MAEOE Green Schools Program and Teacher Resource Kits for Flying WILD and Growing Up WILD.
- Kids & Families - Join us for a variety of educational offerings for youth and families. See why the Ward Museum is a great way to celebrate art, nature and tradition!
- Drop-In Art Jr. - Introduce children up to age 5, the natural world at The New Drop In Art Jr.! Each program is organized around a craft theme. FREE!
- Girl Scouts - The Ward Museum offers programs for both Boy and Girl Scouts that focus on Art, Culture, and Nature with unique resources here.
- Drop in Art - Join museum educators in the museum’s lobby from 10 a.m. to Noon on the 3rd Saturday of each month for this new family art program that is fun for all ages.
- Adults - Woodcarving Club. Carve, learn, share and socialize. All skill levels welcome!
- Ward World Championship Education Conference & Seminars - Take part in this years Ward World Championship Education Conference & Seminars at The Ward Museum at Salisbury University.
- Carving Club - All skill levels welcome!1st and 3rd Mondays in the Ward Museum’s Richard A. Henson Education Center 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. woodcarving club.
- Wing Watch - Go on a bird walk every Tuesday at the Ward Museum starting at 9am in the lobby with Ward education staff.
- Calendar - View upcoming events, seminars, competitions and activities with the Monthly Event Calendar at The Ward Museum
- Exhibits - The Ward Museum in Maryland features regularly changing exhibitions in two galleries, the LaMay Gallery and the Welcome Gallery.
- Permanent Exhibits - The Ward Museum with the help of Moonshell Productions has created videos that provide overviews of the museum, galleries and nature trail.
- Changing Exhibits - Stop by The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury Maryland art gallerieys for our ever changing exhibits.
- Previous Exhibits - View our previous exhibits throughout the years at the Ward Musuem at our mulitple galleries.
- Lower Shore Traditions - We continue to build an archive of documents, recordings, and photographs that may be used by interested community members and international scholars,
- Library - Access to the library collection is by appointment only. Contact 410-742-4988 x105 or x119 to arrange a visit to it from us.
- Artists Archive - Explore hundreds of biographies of artists presented in the Ward Museum gallery and collections in Salisbury Maryland.
- Brand Archive - Discover the brands we have utilized over the years here at the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art
- Membership - Whether you are an avid outdoorsman, an artist or someone who just appreciates art, you will see significant value in a membership at the Ward Museum.
- Media - Read recent press releases and news for The Ward Musuem of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury Maryland.
- Videos Of The Museum - The Ward Museum developed six short videos that provide brief overviews of the museum as well as its galleries and nature trail. View here.
- Commercials - Watch Commercials from the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury Maryland. The world’s largest collection of duck and other wildfowl decoys.
- Special Events Photos - View special events photos from The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury Maryland.
- Store - Purchase gifts, art and memberships through our online store
- Consigning Artists - The Ward Museum has a rotating list of local artists who sell their items in our shop, carrying a wide variety so everyone can find something they love.
- Calendar
- Contact Us - For more information about the Museum, our exhibits or our events, please complete our form or visit our Staff Directory to contact us by telephone.
- Privacy Policy - The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art is committed to protecting your privacy and give you the most powerful and safe online experience.
- Legal Disclaimer - The The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art Web Site is offered to you conditioned on your acceptance without modification of the terms, conditions, and notices.
