Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art facts for kids
| Established | 1975 (current building in 1992) CLOSED 2022 |
|---|---|
| Location | 909 South Schumaker Drive Salisbury, Maryland |
| Type | Art |
The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art was a unique museum located in Salisbury, Maryland, in the United States. It was known for having the biggest collection of wildfowl carvings anywhere in the world. These carvings ranged from beautiful art sculptures to practical decoys once used by hunters.
The museum was named after two brothers, Lem and Steve Ward, from Crisfield, Maryland. They were pioneers who helped turn decoy carving into a respected form of fine art.
Contents
The Museum's History
Building a Special Place
In 1990, a design competition was held by the Ward Foundation, Inc. This competition aimed to choose the best architect for a new, large building. The new museum would be 32,000 square feet and located by Schumaker Pond in Salisbury, Maryland.
The Salisbury firm of Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc., along with lead architect Michael Wigley, AIA, were chosen for the project. They worked with a well-known exhibits consultant named Ben Kozak. The construction of the museum was finished in 1992 by Brohawn Construction from Cambridge, Maryland.
The Museum's Closure
After being open for thirty years, the Ward Museum closed its doors in 2022. This happened at its Schumaker Pond location. Even though the museum building is no longer open, the Ward Foundation, Inc. still continues its important work. They still run the Ward World Championship. You can visit wardfdn.org to learn more about the museum's history and the Foundation.
What Was Inside the Museum?
The museum had several interesting areas for visitors to explore:
- Welcome Theatre: This was likely a place where visitors could watch an introductory film.
- Decoy In Time: This section probably showed the history of decoys.
- Habitat Theatre: Here, visitors might have learned about the natural homes of wildfowl.
- Art Lamay Gallery: This gallery would have displayed art by a specific artist.
- Decoy Study Gallery: A place to closely examine different types of decoys.
- The Ward Brothers’ Workshop: This section likely recreated the workspace of Lem and Steve Ward.
- Championship Gallery: This gallery probably featured winning carvings from the Ward World Championship.
