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Fall Hours Variable: See Contact Page for Details
Originally launched as the Barnegat Bay Decoy and Baymen’s Museum, the Tuckerton Seaport has evolved over the past twenty-two years into a community museum and community center occupying 40 acres located along historic Tuckerton Creek in Tuckerton, New Jersey. Tuckerton Seaport benefits from a prime location at the center of the Jersey shore, easily accessible via Exit 58 on the Garden State Parkway. Tuckerton Seaport works as a coastal cultural center to bring folklife traditions of the past and present to life through programs on land and water.
Bring the family and spend the day exploring exhibits both indoors and outdoors:
Tuckerton Seaport is home to the Jersey Shore Folklife Center, one of the five designated folklife centers in New Jersey. The Folklife Center works to amplify community voice by capturing and sharing the diverse communities and traditions of the Barnegat Bay and the Pinelands. The Center celebrates the creative spirit of the region, its traditional arts, and its occupational and recreational folklife.
The Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve Interpretive Center (JCNERR) and its “Life on the Edge” exhibit, housed in the Tuckerton Yacht Club at the Seaport, are managed by the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The Borough of Tuckerton and Tuckerton Creek is located in one of the least undisturbed places on the northeast coast of the United States. The Reserve encompasses habitat in and around the estuary where freshwater from the Mullica River and saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean mix in the Great Bay. Named for the famed Ocean Explorer Jacques Cousteau, the reserve conducts scientific research, hosts a variety of educational and interpretive programs, and encourages stewardship of these unique natural resources. At the “Life on the Edge” exhibit, visitors can go back in time to explore New Jersey’s environmental past, present, and future within the Jacques Cousteau National Estuary. Dive into an amazing experience that takes you through the Pinelands, Great Bay, Barrier Island, and Open Ocean ecosystems that make up this pristine natural reserve.
David manages PSE&G’s permitting group responsible for project approvals at all levels of government, including the US Army Corp of Engineers, Federal Aviation Administration, US Coast Guard, NJDEP, NJDCA, NJDOT, Soil Conservation Districts, Port Authority, County Planning Board, Municipal Planning and Zoning, and Municipal Construction. He also sits on the State’s Wetlands Mitigation Council. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and holds a Masters in Science from the University of New Hampshire. David has been a resident of the area for 26 years, and resides in Little Egg Harbor with his wife and two children.
Dave was the former Ocean County Principle Planner.
Bobby is a lifelong resident and 4th generation out of Tuckerton. He runs his family’s marina in Tuckerton, Phil Keeney & Sons Inc., which has served Tuckerton and the surrounding area for over 50 years. Bobby has had a life long passion for our town’s historic history and he is well versed in southern Ocean County and New Jersey coastal and maritime history, as well as our local history of gunning, decoy carving, and boat building. For a number of years Bobby has been a member of the Tuckerton Historical Society, Long Beach Island Historical Society, and New Jersey Maritime Museum. He is very proud and honored to be apart of the Tuckerton Seaport and keeping the history alive.
Ms. Kop’Kash graduated from Stockton University with a B.S. in Environmental Science. She is currently an Assistant Commissioner at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection overseeing the State’s Land Use Management Program. She has spent more than twenty-nine years working for the department in various positions.
Joining the Board in 1997, Mr. Allen served as Vice President for five years (1998-2003). He currently participates in the Membership and Planning Committees and has oversight of the Seaport’s extensive decoy collection. He is a District Manager for Conectiv, a regional utility provider, and an avid decoy collector. Mr. Allen was also an associate at the well-regarded auction house of Guyette & Schmidt, which specializes in decoy sales and appraisals.
Paul was an educator, supervisor and principal in the public school system. He was also a Clinical Instructor at Kean University. Paul served as the Executive Director of the Seaport for 8 years and is now Executive Director Emeritus.
Growing up on Little Egg Harbor Bay had a huge impact on the direction of Susan’s life’s journey. As a true nature lover she always has respected Mother Nature and has been a faithful steward of the environment. After teaching at the Mullica Township Schools for 33 years she was compelled to take her passion and turn it into positive action.
Over the past decade she led the Mullica Township Community to Sustainable Jersey Certification, created the non-profit Sustainable Mullica, established and coordinated the Mullica Township Schoolyard Garden, and maintained an Adopt a Road/Schoolyard Cleanup Program.
Nestled in the quiet village of Devonshire she lives on a 2o acre wooded lot with native plants, a rain garden, an edible garden, wildlife, chickens, and honeybees.
Volunteering at the Tuckerton Seaport has brought her tremendous joy. Shucking clams and oysters along her father’s side provides fond memories.
