The Delmarva Discovery Center hadn't been included in the plans Councilman Malloy and I had previously discussed for last Friday. Jan. 20) We ran into Brian Garrett the Director of the Delmarva Discovery Center and when he found out I had never seen the inside of the center it was a GO. I went!
This is indeed another of the pride and joys in Pocomoke! (I shudder to think how many memberships I may have bought by now if my son were still a young boy.) Children and adults will enjoy it greatly!
The bear was the first thing I saw. I knew absolutely nothing about bears being on the Eastern Shore (or don't remember) and unless it's Yogi Bear and Boo Boo I don't want to know too much else. He's a little fuzzy in this photo but he is beautiful.
Believe it or not signs of the Beaver have been found along the Pocomoke River.
These fish are actually larger in the tank. And there are plenty more! Catfish live in the aquarium along with the Bass and many more. On Wednesday and Friday at 2:00 pm every week a SCUBA diver goes into the 6,00 gallon tank to feed the fish. So when you visit try to see that.
The tank is filled with the same type of fish that call the Pocomoke River home. This was especially enjoyable to me because the waters of the Pocomoke River are so dark you can't see a thing. The aquarium gives one the chance to watch them in in their own habitat to see just exactly what it is they do all day....which isn't much except swim around and entertain.
This tank is filled with living coral of just about every color you can imagine. Those tiny fish look as if they have been hand painted. Be sure to find out what type of fish they are....I didn't.
I believe it was in this tiny building there were several hand crafted skip jacks. When you visit the DDC please be sure to take a look at them. They are just as elegant when small and hand made as they are sailing the Chesapeake. One thing to keep in mind as you tour this magnificent place is that many of the items on display are tools and equipment actually used at one time. Many kind hearted persons have either loaned or given items to the Discovery Center because they recognize the importance of educating those that do not know about this small part of the Eastern Shore or the Eastern Shore as a whole.
This looks very much like a scene I see every day. In fact, in the small "village" very near my own home motorists have to stop most mornings while the ducks cross the narrow road. They don't move for you and they don't bother to fly away.... every day .....they've done it for years. It isn't too bad sitting there waiting if you think about those on the highway or freeway trying to beat the clock to get to work on time. In some places on the Eastern Shore traffic jams include ducks. Yets, here we are at times, (in the boonies Councilman Malloy calls it), waiting for ducks. Doesn't get much better than that.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is a female Diamond Back Terrapin. (Thank you, Jenny Somers). I didn't know. My son brought turtles home in his lunch box, his pants pockets and in paper bags many times as a child. I've seen them in our yard and a few years ago a female snapping turtle made herself comfortable and laid eggs in a pile of sand near our brand new garage....then she left.....hissing all the way down our drive. I had never seen a Diamond Back and was really thrilled to see that this one was so active and didn't mind showing off. Be sure to stop by and see her.
A work shop that represents the decoy carvers on the Eastern Shore. Steve and Lem Ward, of Crisfield came to my mind when I saw this. The Ward Brothers were friends of my in-laws. In the dining room there were framed ink sketches created by one of the brothers and a couple of decoys in the livingroom. My children never wanted to leave Crisfield unless we road by the old workshop. Did you know that the Ward Brothers were actually both barbers?
Today there are many decoy carvers withing the local area and I'm sure we all know who some of them are. In fact, in the past many local carvers have set up displays in the DDC for the public to view. Check the DDC website for upcoming events.
Watch for the the Oyster Toads (that's what Councilman Malloy said they were). The aquarium has quite a few of them. Cute little things but they always look like they were having a bad day....Good defense...I wouldn't bother anything that contrary looking either.
This was at the end of our visit. For those of you that like boats but don't like the water this might be the thing to try. There is actually two speeds of 'wind' to blow the sail. Jump in and hit the button!
Going through the Delmarva Discovery Center was great fun! I didn't take time to see all of it.but I will go again. My photos can not begin to bring you the true beauty of the display. The entire center is amazing and seems to actually capture all of the things that make the Eastern Shore unique. If you were born and have lived on the shore all your life you understand what I'm speaking about.
There are also hands-on learning stations for anyone that wants that experience.
A steamship gives anyone the opportunity to go aboard, walk through and even go to the top deck. The setting around the steamship is quite in line with what would be done during its use many years ago.
The Delmarva Discovery Center truly IS a "showcase of the regions cultural and environmental heritage".
And if you were born and raised on the Eastern Shore it is YOUR cultural and environmental heritage that is showcased there. Spend the time and the money to see it. Most of you will be able to identify with all of the exhibits and you will be amazed at the beauty of it all stretched out under one roof.
An excellant way to see the Eastern Shore without being bothered by the summer heat, humidity and bugs. There's also no marshy smell.
And you might just learn something new!
Sleepovers and birthday parties are welcomed there too! For more information call the Delmarva Discovery Center - 410-957-9933 or go to http://www.delmarvadiscoverycenter.org/ The center also has a page on Facebook with tons of photographs and information. The website and the facebook page will enable you to be constantly updated. And pass the word around ~ The DDC is looking for volunteers. If you are interested give Brian a call.
If you have never visited the Eastern Shore and are planning to be in the area I would certainly reccommend the Delmarva Discovery Center to be the best museum to visit to get good lesson about the surrounding area.
Thank you so very much Brian Garrett for allowing me to visit the Delmarva Discovery Center. I am impressed and it is quite plain to see that great amounts of hard work and time were taken to make the center the showcase it is. Everyone that had a hand in making the DDC the showcase it is should be very proud. I will be back to visit very soon.
Don't forget: VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED !
