The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art

The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, 909 S. Schumaker Dr., is nestled next to Schumaker Pond in the heart of the Atlantic Flyway. The museum, affiliated with Salisbury University, is the world's largest public collection of decorative and antique decoys and was named in honor of Steven and Lemuel Ward, whose vision and artistry in carving decoys pioneered the transition in the role of the decoy from a working tool to an expressive wildfowl sculpture. Examples of their work and a reproduction of their studio are displayed.

You can wander the galleries to view works of art related to the great outdoors and then explore the grounds to admire the real thing with various species of migrating and resident birds. The museum offers quarterly changing exhibits and hosts the Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition and Art Festival as well as the Chesapeake Wildfowl Expo and Art in Nature Photo Festival, each a major annual event. An outdoor sculpture garden also is on the grounds.

Flash photography is prohibited.

Guided tours are available. Picnicking is permitted. Time: Allow 1 hour minimum.