Crab-pot Christmas Trees were a hit!

Piney Point, MD – On Saturday, Dec. 10 the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum opened its doors from noon until 4 p.m. for an afternoon of free tours, holiday shopping at the gift shop, snacks and crafts for kids.

The Keeper’s Quarters, Crab Claw Museum gift shop and Maritime Exhibit hall were open for guests to walk and explore the nautical history of the United States Coast Guard, and the story of the Black Panther 1105 German submarine that sank in the Potomac, now serving as Maryland’s first shipwreck dive preserve.

The museum store offers a nice variety of souvenirs, books, jewelry, clothing, wooden toys and specialty items with hand-painted artwork from local artists.

Museum Assistant Breanne Hopewell told TheBayNet.com, “The turnout was great today, they came by the dozens.” The Lighthouse and St. Clement’s Island Museums both have open houses at the same time and staff said they were concerned about attendance.

However, the museum gift shop had a special item that people could not wait to get their hands on. “So many people came in today asking to buy a Crab-pot Christmas Tree, and now we only have a small one left!” Hopewell said.

The museum is full of interesting history dating back to 1821 and many took advantage of the free admission Saturday.

8-year-olds Katelyn Rippeon and Brooke Montfort, both of California, had a great time going into the wooden drawers and finding fossils. Accompanied by their ‘Nana’, who told TheBayNet.com “I have never been here before, and I thought this would be a great thing to do with my grandchildren since it was open house day.”
The open house exhibit was interactive and entertaining for the children.

“Watch my new toy, but I can’t figure it out how it keeps doing that,” said Katelyn. She was referring to the wooden Jacob’s Ladder that she purchased at the gift shop. An old toy named after Jacob in the Bible and made of ribbon and wooden blocks.
Kaleb Harris, 7 and his brother, Nathan, 10 of Waldorf, could not wait to get to their favorite part of the property–the bell. The Harris brothers took turns ringing the bell, as much as mom, Rachel Harris would let them. “I love the hammer, that’s my favorite!” said Nathan.

In honor of the recent election, the museum staff decorated the Keeper’s Quarters with the theme of ‘Shining a Light on Elections.’ Site Supervisor April Havens told TheBayNet.com “Most of the things on display here in the Keeper’s Quarters are on loan from various people in the community who have special private collections, and they allow us to borrow them for special events like this open house.” Haven said that the support from these lovers of history has been instrumental in sharing this multi-dimensional exhibit with the public. “We would not have an exhibit without their kind support,” she said.