- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Adults - Woodcarving Club. Carve, learn, share and socialize. All skill levels welcome!
- Exhibits - The Ward Museum in Maryland features regularly changing exhibitions in two galleries, the LaMay Gallery and the Welcome Gallery.
- 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.
- 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.
