120 West Main Street, P.O. Box 52
Tuckerton, New Jersey 08087
Phone: (609) 296-8868
Internet: http://www.tuckertonseaport.org/

The Barnegat Bay Decoy & Baymen's Museum has evolved into the Tuckerton Seaport, a 40-acre recreation of a 19th- and early 20th-century Baymen's village. Still under development, the Seaport celebrated its grand opening on May 6, 2000.

Visitors will enjoy living history at its best, as they explore thirteen (eventually to be thirty) recreated buildings and watch costumed trade- and craftsmen and women bring the area's rich maritime history to life. Boatbuilders, oystermen and clammers, whalers, lighthouse keepers, ship captains and others are on hand to demonstrate the day to day life of the coastal New Jersey village of yesterday.

Some of the building replicas to be seen now include:

Tucker's Island Lighthouse
This beautiful replica of the 1868 lighthouse that was swept out to sea in 1927 is the centerpiece of the Seaport, featuring an interpretive center with a variety of historical displays.

Kelly's Oyster House
This authentic recreation is typical of Barnegat Bay area architecture for a business of this type. Visitors will see displays that recall the once-prominent oyster industry that was so important to this region between 1860 and 1920.

Jay Parker's Decoy Carving Shop
Legendary Bayman and celebrated decoy carver, Parker was also a justice of the peace, a poet, and Beach Haven's first lifeguard. The shop features an assortment of decoys, Parker's tools, and a life-size wax figure of Parker.

Hurley Conklin's Decoy Shop
This Manahawkin native carved more than 22,000 decoys during his life. Visitors can see decoy-carving demonstrations here and even take some hands-on lessons. Call for schedule.

Parson's Clam House
Features exhibits illustrating the history of the shellfishing industry and displays and demonstrations of clamming artifacts and hand-made tools.

Perrine's Boat Works
Visitors can see restored examples of vintage Barnegat Bay sneakboxes (duck hunting skiffs) and exhibits showing history and evolution of the sneakbox. Hands-on restoration and sneakbox building workshops are available. Call for details.

Other buildings include Joe Dayton's Sawmill and a restored houseboat.

Folklife Center
Hands-on workshops for individuals are available in the Folklife Center. Call for pricing and schedule. Some examples of the titles include:

• Beginner, Intermediate/Advanced Shorebird Carving
• Fly Tying
• Ice Fishing Decoy Carving
• Youth Shorebird Painting Class

Public Tours, Demonstrations and Programs are available from May through mid-September, and during the school year hands-on programs for school groups provide an engaging experience of culture and history for any age level. All school programs are compatible with the New Jersey core curriculum standards.

All told, Tuckerton Seaport offers an exciting opportunity for individuals, families and groups to experience two centuries of coastal New Jersey, all in a day. Perhaps the most exciting thing is that, while there is so much there now, the Seaport is still growing. To that end, call about the volunteer opportunities available, and check out the Seaport's Membership Program.