Historic Buyboat ‘Winnie Estelle’ to be Re-Christened at CBMM’s Oysterfest
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland, is preparing to re-christen the historic buyboat "Winnie Estelle" after its restoration. The vessel, which once worked on the Chesapeake Bay before being sold for international trade, has been refurbished and…
Salisbury, MD, November 5, 2026 — The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) in St. Michaels, Maryland, is set to re-christen the historic buyboat, the “Winnie Estelle,” following a significant restoration effort. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 7th, as part of the museum’s annual Oysterfest event.
The “Winnie Estelle” is a vessel with a past tied to the Chesapeake Bay. Historically, the buyboat operated within the bay’s waters. Later in its service life, the boat was sold and engaged in international trade before its acquisition and subsequent restoration by the CBMM.
Following its refurbishment, the “Winnie Estelle” is slated to be utilized for new purposes. The museum plans to employ the buyboat for eco-tourism initiatives and environmental education programs. These activities will primarily take place on the Miles River, a waterway integral to the Chesapeake Bay region.
The re-christening event on November 7th will mark the official introduction of the restored vessel back into service and its new role. The timing coincides with CBMM’s Oysterfest, an event that typically draws visitors interested in maritime heritage and the Chesapeake Bay’s ecosystem.
Details regarding the specific duration of the restoration project or the extent of the refurbishment were not provided in the summary. Information regarding the specific plans for eco-tourism or environmental education, such as schedules or types of programs, was also not detailed.
Story summarized from the original created by Brian Roche on www.wmdt.com, see more information here.
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