About Us
Harriett Davis started collecting items about the history of Chesapeake City when she moved to town in 1979. She owned Canal Lock Antiques on Bohemia Avenue for forty years and was an active member of the community as a member and past president of the Chesapeake City District Civic Association (CCDCA) and a town representative of the Historic Commission. Harriett's lifelong dream was to create a Chesapeake City museum.
Harriett Davis started collecting items about the history of Chesapeake City when she moved to town in 1979. She owned Canal Lock Antiques on Bohemia Avenue for forty years and was an active member of the community as a member and past president of the Chesapeake City District Civic Association (CCDCA) and a town representative of the Historic Commission. Harriett's lifelong dream was to create a Chesapeake City museum.
The Civic Association owns Franklin Hall, a historic three-story brick building built in 1870. The building has housed many organizations in its over one hundred-year history: Independent Order of Oddfellows, Masons, shops, businesses, a karate studio, and a public library. In 2020, the CCDCA suggested using the former library space as a home for the newly proposed museum, and on May 1, 2021 the Chesapeake City Museum held its grand opening.
The Civic Association owns Franklin Hall, a historic three-story brick building built in 1870. The building has housed many organizations in its over one hundred-year history: Independent Order of Oddfellows, Masons, shops, businesses, a karate studio, and a public library. In 2020, the CCDCA suggested using the former library space as a home for the newly proposed museum, and on May 1, 2021 the Chesapeake City Museum held its grand opening.
Our small museum shines a spotlight on the history of Chesapeake City and the surrounding area. Exhibits include detailed maps, artifacts from early settlers, fraternal order ledgers, the history of the C & D Canal and the construction of the C & D Canal Bridge, documents detailing the Women for Federal Restoration's work with the preservation of historic homes and businesses, and collections from residents.
Our small museum shines a spotlight on the history of Chesapeake City and the surrounding area. Exhibits include detailed maps, artifacts from early settlers, fraternal order ledgers, the history of the C & D Canal and the construction of the C & D Canal Bridge, documents detailing the Women for Federal Restoration's work with the preservation of historic homes and businesses, and collections from residents.
The museum has an extensive archive collection chronicling Chesapeake City's history. The archives contain newspapers, magazines, photographs, artwork, prints, ledgers, and other historical artifacts donated to the museum. The collection begins with fossils from the late Jurassic Period and continues to grow as new items are added. The museum staff welcomes research questions about the town and its early residents. Groups large and small are welcome to tour the museum where docents will present an overview of the town's history and provide information about specific exhibits. Short walking tours are also available upon request.
The museum has an extensive archive collection chronicling Chesapeake City's history. The archives contain newspapers, magazines, photographs, artwork, prints, ledgers, and other historical artifacts donated to the museum. The collection begins with fossils from the late Jurassic Period and continues to grow as new items are added. The museum staff welcomes research questions about the town and its early residents. Groups large and small are welcome to tour the museum where docents will present an overview of the town's history and provide information about specific exhibits. Short walking tours are also available upon request.