atlantic wildfowl heritage museum

MarySCunningham

Nature lovers will appreciate the ecology. Maps and native species, a few vintage hunting rifles and lots of waterfowl hunting interests.

jackn943

Gorgeous museum on the beachfront with very friendly staff and displays on a sadly declining American tradition. Regular demonstrations from people who are happy to answer any questions, lovely displays of lifelike bird models, and some history on the city of Virginia Beach upstairs. One of the most charming museums I've ever visited, absolutely worth your time.

bap2015

The Heritage Museum is a great small place to learn about a distinctively American craft: the creation and use of decoys for duck hunting. Perhaps the best part of a visit is talking with experienced decoy makers as they work on a project. The carvers are friendly and anxious to share their knowledge of working with wood to make a duck or shorebird. The museum has temporary exhibits. The current one (September 2014) features world-champion carver Lynn Forehand. The second floor has exhibits about the history of Virginia Beach and duck hunting clubs and another gallery with paintings of duck and outdoor scenes. For those who need assistance with stairs, there is a chair lift to help them to the second floor.The museum also offers locally and contemporary carved duck and shorebirds at very reasonable prices.Tip: The museum has four or five reserved, free parking spaces directly in front of the building. These are usually available in the off-season.

haha73

I enjoyed talking to the artist who created the wooden waterfowls. He explained the artistic process as well as the use of the decoys. It was more interesting than I expected. There are VERY lifelike waterfowl "kites" that you can buy, that are floating in the air. I would get one if I lived in a house.

NRJSPICE

Staying at Va. Beach this weekend we visited this museum which is absolutely free and very educational and interactive. The museum opens at 10 am and the manager and one of the wood carvers were both very nice and personable. Its a great place to view some of the history around hunting and wild fowl hunting. I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in hunting game birds, duck hunting especially, and just being outdoors in general. Great little souvenir shop with a little bit of everything from handmade crafts to scarfs. Anyone who likes to hunt, fish, or enjoy a little history lesson this is a great spot.

Elie6

There's nothing in here. It's a gift shop and a carving studio... I don't really know why they call it a museum! it's not even really a hunting club shack. The only thing to see in it are the carved birds for decoys used in hunting.... and they want you to buy those. So...yeah, if you like wood carvings, it's not bad. Just... the name is misleading... there's really nothing in there. But it is free...so if you need a short break from the sun, here you are. Oh. No bathrooms.

DEGhia

Very interesting to see the new & antique decoys and carvings. Don't miss the upstairs with old photos and memorabilia from Virgina Beach of years gone by. Small gift shop. Worth a look.

AmbersM0mmy

Stopped by here for a quick visit. The guys working were friendly and seemed always down for a conversation (one was engaged in an interesting conversation with a fellow museum goer while I was there). I loved the gift shop. Admission is free, why not stop by?

dcd0127

The location is right in the heart of the Virginia Beach resort area and is free. Learn how decoys are carved and see some really good examples.

bap2015

I visited the Heritage Museum on a weekday afternoon in November. Decoy carving is a distinctive American folk art, and this museum is one of the bet places to see it. The museum includes antique decoys from the Chesapeake Bay and Carolina sound and modern decoys crafted by local carvers. The best part is the opportunity to watch local carvers as they change a block of wood into miniature or full-size ducks and other waterfowl. The carvers are very friendly and like to talk about the work; don't be shy and be sure to ask them questions. Admission is free and donations are appreciated. In the small store you can buy modern carvings at very reasonable prices

954NancyD

This is an interesting museum right on the boardwalk...and entrance is FREE. I went 2 different times during my week long visit and there was a different carver on duty each time. Both carvers were very amiable and went out of their way to explain what they were doing.

ColleenA962

I experience back in 2009 with my friend when we we're in Virginia Beach and thought my husband would enjoy the walk through because of his interest in waterfowl. We experienced it the second time through and my husband did enjoy the experience!

sailboatguy22

history of Virginia Beach and an insight to the history of the Virginia nBeach oceanfront, It is located in the DeWitt Cottage...one of the last of the “beach cottages” from early 1900’s.

Rita23890

This is a unique collection of information about Atlantic Wildfowl. I love looking at photographs of years gone by - and the excellent wildfowl carvings.

ChrisV5086HJ

Spoke to a decoy carver/retired teacher at length. So personable and the kids enjoyed what they learned. I particularly loved the historic Va Beach exibit upstairs. Virtually nothing left of the past to visit here in Va Beach except in these artifacts and pictures. We also visited the Coast Guard museum for the same history fix and loved it.