Our mission at the Tuckerton Seaport is to preserve, present and interpret the rich maritime history, artistry, heritage and environment of the Jersey shore and the unique contributions of its baymen. Once known as the Barnegat Bay Decoy and Baymen’s Museum, the Tuckerton Seaport has evolved into a maritime village located along historic Tuckerton Creek in Tuckerton, New Jersey. Tuckerton Seaport’s 40-acre site includes 17 historic and recreated buildings connected by a boardwalk, a maritime forest and wetlands nature trail, two houseboats, a decoy gallery, a working boatworks building in which restoration of sneakbox designs of the Barnegat Bay occurs, a historic marine railway (currently under reconstruction), decoy carving workshops and the recreated Tucker’s Island Lighthouse. Daily demonstrators and traditional artists bring the Jersey Shore’s rich maritime heritage to life. Bring the family and spend the day exploring exhibits, take a tour of historic Tuckerton Creek on the Melody II (classic wooden charter boat, circa 1954), meet the people who lived, worked and played along the Barnegat Bay: decoy carvers, boat builders, basket makers, quilters, commercial fishermen, artists and other baymen and women. General programs offered include hands on activities, workshops, tours and classes taught by Jersey Shore artists. Tuckerton Seaport is also home to the Jersey Shore Folklife Center (JSFC). The JSFC researches, documents, supports and presents the diverse communities and traditions of the Jersey Shore and the Pinelands. The Center presents folk art programs and exhibits at Tuckerton Seaport and manages the artist roster and guest demonstrator schedule, the Folk and Traditional Artist in Residence Program, the Jersey Traditions outreach program and changing artist exhibits in J.C. Parker's Decoy workshop. JSFC celebrates the profoundly creative spirit of the region, its traditional arts, and its occupational and recreational folklife.
