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James Best

James Best (1866-1933) Born and raised in Kitty Hawk, N.C. The goose is from the famous stand of eighteen geese…

February 17, 2021
James R. Best Swan/Goose

02/01, 08, 15,22,2021: de Witt Garden Club 10:00 am, at the museum Meets every Monday Bring your work gloves and…

February 15, 2021
Upcoming Guild Dates February 2021

Friends of the AWHM, I hope my note finds you well as we continue to navigate COVID-19 and its impact…

February 12, 2021
President’s Message
Julia C. deWitt

In May of 1991 Lawrence Maddry wrote a newspaper column in the Virginian-Pilot about the deWitt Cottage and the House…

February 12, 2021
Julia C. deWitt

I don’t know about the rest of you; but, I have never been so glad to see a year come…

January 19, 2021
From the Museum Director
Coot with metal head

Jimmy grew up on Back Bay & Knotts Island area. He kept his boat at Bay Haven Marina –Harold Grimstead…

January 19, 2021
COLLECTORS SHELF: James L. Rowe “Jimmy” – Coot with metal head
Ann and Herb

HERB AND ANNE VERHAAGEN Herb and Ann Verhaagen are longtime members of the Back Bay Wildfowl Guild. Both of them…

January 19, 2021
Back Bay Wildfowl Memories Where are they now?
Merry Christmas

Dear members and friends of the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, What a year?! This hasn’t been the 125th anniversary we…

December 20, 2020
President’s Message
Decoys Advertisement

  Earl Wayne “Bill Scripture (Born 1941 –Present) Born in Florida, moved to South Carolina where he learned to Hunt…

December 15, 2020
Collector’s Shelf
Christmas Tree

  Giant Christmas tree next to dewitt cottage 100 Miles of Lights began in 1998 as a regional effort to…

December 10, 2020
New Attraction to Virginia Beach Boardwalk Mile of Lights
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  Duck Hunters could be shoulder to shoulder in many states due to Canadian Border Restrictions  Things might get a…

September 25, 2020
Duck Hunters & Border Restrictions
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Will was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and moved with his family to Creeds, Virginia, where he grew up and worked…

September 21, 2020
COLLECTORS SHELF: WILLIAM “Will” Kight, Jr. (1897-1977)
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09/07/2020: Labor Day  09/01/2020: Back Bay Wildfowl Guild Membership Meeting 7:00pm, Virtual – Bring an item for show and tell!  09/9, 14, 21,…

September 14, 2020
Upcoming Guild Events
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 This past week, through the magic of television news, we were witnesses to the fury of hurricane Laura as she…

September 7, 2020
Back Bay Wildfowl Memories: Hurricanes Affecting The Mid Mid-Atlantic 1895-2020
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Friends of the AWHM, As we move into September, I wanted to provide a brief update about where we are…

September 1, 2020
President’s Message
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Doug Jester was an all-around sportsman who enjoyed fishing, guiding, hunting and commercial decoy carving. His speedy carving process provided…

August 17, 2020
COLLECTORS SHELF: Doug Jester (1876 – 1961) Chincoteague, VA
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On May 1, 2019 Shore Gallery and Design took possession of the gift shop in the deWitt Cottage. Using the…

August 12, 2020
FEATURED PRODUCTS FROM SHORE GALLERY SEASIDE GIFT SHOP
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Can anyone guess what is happening in this picture? Obviously, it is the ocean; but what are all those people…

August 10, 2020
Back Bay Wildfowl Memories Ocean Swimming
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It’s August, and as I sit here writing this column, the first major Atlantic hurricane of the season is raking…

August 3, 2020
Museum Director’s Message
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My Grandfather was in elementary school at the time of this story. I will guess fourth or fifth grade, that…

July 27, 2020
School Yard Toy Cannon By Jim Mehne
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I would like to begin by acknowledging your Back Bay Wildfowl Guild Board of Directors. It is because of their…

July 24, 2020
Museum Director’s Message
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Friends of the AWHM, Well….this has been fun. July 1st, for many, signifies summertime. Days and nights filled with beach…

July 20, 2020
President’s Message
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Ira Hudson was born in 1873 in Maryland but he grew up in Delaware. He later moved to Chincoteague, Virginia…

July 13, 2020
COLLECTORS SHELF: Ira Hudson 1873-1949
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Miles Hancock led an amazing life that could never have unfolded the way it did if he had lived anyplace…

July 6, 2020
Miles Hancock ( 1887 1974)
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Happy Summer AWHM Friends! I want my message to you this month, again, to be one of transparency. Hey! We…

June 22, 2020
President’s Message
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June 19, 2020
Free Decoy Identification & Evaluation
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de Witt Garden Club – Every Monday at 9:00 am We are a hands on Garden Club So bring your…

June 15, 2020
Upcoming Guild Events
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I hope and pray that each of you have had a relaxed and safe Spring.  You may or may not…

June 12, 2020
Museum Director’s Message
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Our doors are open and accepting visitors to our Museum and Shore Gallery Seaside Gifts.   We are operating in…

June 8, 2020
We Are Open for Business!

The deWitt Cottage will celebrate it’s 125th birthday on September 22, 2020 and she has gotten a bit of a…

June 8, 2020
Back Bay Wildfowl Guild Memories: The Grand Old Lady of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront
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Like the majority of you I have been spending my days at home.  This has given me the opportunity to…

May 29, 2020
From the Museum Director
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Although our Stay at Home order has drastically changed our lives, we still hope that we will soon begin to…

May 25, 2020
One of a Kind Engagement and Graduation Photos
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May and Spring have finally arrived on the calendar and April showers have encouraged many of our cottage flowers to…

May 15, 2020
From the Events and Gardens Desk
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Friends of the AWHM, I hope my note finds you all well in this difficult and crazy time. We are…

May 11, 2020
President’s Message
national teacher day

May 7th is National Teacher’s Day!  If you have ever taken a teacher for granted you can now see during…

May 7, 2020
National Teacher Day
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While most of you have been staying home to comply with the Virginia Governor’s Order; City of Virginia Beach Contractors…

May 4, 2020
May Day, New Roof Installed For deWitt Cottage
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I drove around my little section of Virginia Beach yesterday, to two grocery stores, four pharmacies, a gas station mini-mart,…

April 27, 2020
From the Museum Director 4/27/20
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Friends of the AWHM, Due to the current international emergency surrounding COVID-19, the doors to our beloved de Witt Cottage…

April 20, 2020
President’s Message 4/20/20
collectorsshelfnathancobb

Nathan Cobb, Jr. market hunted and formed a salvage team with his father Nathan, Sr. and his two brothers Warren…

April 13, 2020
Collector’s Shelf: Nathan Cobb, Jr. (1825-1905) Cobb Island, VA
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This is not the first pandemic that the Historic deWitt Cottage has seen in its 125 year history.  Just over…

April 6, 2020
A History Lesson: The Spanish Flu
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What a difference a few weeks makes.  As a nation, we were on top of the world.  Stock market doing…

April 3, 2020
Latest News & Updates 4/3/20
duckdog

by Kyle Wintersteen, Managing Editor, Delta Waterfowl Magazine Today’s retriever training literature tends to focus on some rather advanced skills, such…

March 30, 2020
Duck Dogs
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With a snap of the fingers, February is a distant memory.  We have been very busy at the Museum with…

March 24, 2020
From the Events Desk
gatherguilds

Back Bay Wildfowl Guild is participating in the Gathering of the Guilds at the historic Francis Land House in Virginia Beach. We need volunteers to…

March 19, 2020
Upcoming Events: Gathering of the Guilds
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I want to thank everyone who attended “Dine out for The de Witt” Tuesday night February 11th  at Surfrider Seafood…

March 16, 2020
From the Museum Director
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Friends of the AWHM, While many of my messages feature the de Witt cottage and operations as my focus, my…

March 13, 2020
President’s Message
collectorjoeperryredhead

Joseph “Joe” Dempsey Perry, March 9, 1893- January 25, 1981 Son of William Thomas Perry of Kitty Hawk, NC. His…

March 9, 2020
Collector’s Shelf: Joe Perry Redhead Decoy
petedipietro

A resident of Norfolk, Virginia, Pete DiPietro was born in Brooklyn, New York. Following high school he joined the United…

March 2, 2020
Back Bay Wildfowl Guild Memories: Sebastian “Pete” DiPietro September 25, 1939 – January 6, 2020
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Friends of the AWHM, I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to 2020. It’s hard to believe that we…

February 24, 2020
President’s Message
snowyowl

by Sarah Brookbank, Cincinnati Enquirer A snowy owl has been spotted in northern Ohio this winter. Does that mean Cincinnati…

February 20, 2020
Snowy Owl Survival
collectorclarencegrady

Born on Bells Island, NC Son of a market hunter, Constantine “Stant” White. Clarence was the youngest of fifteen children….

February 17, 2020
Collector’s Shelf: Clarence Grady White, Sr. 1905-1993 (Canvas Goose w/ Red Eyes)
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Happy New Year! Another year of success and happiness has passed. With every New Year comes greater challenges and obstacles…

January 20, 2020
Museum Director’s Message 1/20/20
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A few words about Alice Walsh By Jim Mehne Alice was a special person. Most of you who knew and…

January 20, 2020
Back Bay Wildfowl Guild Memories: Alice Lucas Walsh 1934-2020
collectorfitzhughmunden

By Mark Cromwell Fitzhugh made his living on the water and operated a hunting camp on the beach side of…

January 13, 2020
Collector’s Shelf: Fitzhugh Munden (1906-1965)
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By Lynn Hightower  From the archives of the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, The Virginian –Pilot, Find a Grave.com, and Past…

January 6, 2020
Back Bay Wildfowl Guild Memories: 125th Year of the de Witt Cottage
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Happy 2020 to all the friends of Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum! I want to share my most heartfelt gratitude and…

January 1, 2020
President’s Message 1/1/20
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Well, we are about to put another calendar year in the archives of the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum.   We have…

December 9, 2019
From the Museum Director 12/9/20
pannehotel

IT WAS APRIL 1914 and Bernard P. Holland, in his second term as mayor of Virginia Beach, was fighting to…

December 2, 2019
Back Bay Wildfowl Guild Memories: Princess Anne Hotel
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I trust everyone had a wonderful and warm Halloween. This morning’s weather is quite a ways away from the 80…

November 28, 2019
President’s Message 11/28/20
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Tuesday, December 3, 2019 will be the date for our annual Christmas Party.  We will gather in the Fraternal Order…

November 11, 2019
From the Museum Director
collectorcharleswaterfieldruddyduck

If ever you wanted a taste of our forefathers’ hardiness, you’d find it at Wash Woods. There, in thickets of…

November 4, 2019
Collector’s Shelf: Charles Waterfield (Ruddy Duck Decoy)
halloween

Reprinted from Haunted Rooms America Website  Virginia Beach is a popular spot for weekend breaks given its desirable location at…

October 31, 2019
Top 7 Most Haunted Places in Virginia Beach, VA
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October 30, 2019
Another Successful Oyster Roast
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The start of October typically marks the end of the “tourist season” at our beloved oceanfront. With the closing of…

October 28, 2019
President’s Message 10/28/19
sjasmawinner
October 21, 2019
Ducks Unlimited Member Photo Contest Winners
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I want to thank the deWitt Cottage Garden Club for their tireless efforts to improve and beautify our gardens. They…

October 14, 2019
From the Museum Director
raven

Reprinted from a Pilot Online Article By Matthew Korfhage The Virginian-Pilot The ballad of Ricky and Bobby is nearing its…

October 7, 2019
Back Bay Wildfowl Guild Memories: A Half Century Institution – The Raven Has Closed (1968-2019)
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By Alex Perry Willis and Aella, two bald eagles named by their rehabilitator Tommy White, did their regular workout Wednesday…

September 23, 2019
Bald Eagles Recovering Well at Alton’s Keep
arthur

Lee always referred to himself as “The Tank Talker”, that is because he was always the Master of Ceremony at…

September 16, 2019
Back Bay Wildfowl Guild Memories: Arthur Lee Scarborough – October 14, 1942 – July 9, 2019
lynnriverfest

The Lynnhaven River Now Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2019 from 11:00am until 3:00pm’ It will…

September 9, 2019
Lynnhaven River Fall Festival: Volunteers Needed
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PLEASE JOIN US September 12, 2019 from 3:00-5:00 PM. Shore Gallery has come ashore in the heart of the Virginia…

September 4, 2019
Upcoming Events: Shore Gallery Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
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Happy Labor Day to everyone, I hope you all have had a great summer and are looking forward to some…

September 2, 2019
President’s Message 9/2/19
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Congratulations to The de Witt Cottage Garden Club and President Jacky Richards for winning another Award of Merit from The…

August 26, 2019
From the Events and Gardens Desk
cottage3

The Historic deWitt Cottage opened its doors to reality television on Saturday, August 20, 2019. Producers from Sharp Entertainment in…

August 15, 2019
Free Decoy Identification & Evaluation
bbq

Join us at deWitt Cottage on a cool crisp Fall day and enjoy salty oysters from HM Terry: Sewansecott Clams &…

August 15, 2019
Upcoming Events: 4th Annual Fall BBQ and Oyster Roast
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On May 31, 2019 our hometown suffered a horrific tragedy! The workplace shooting in Building #2 of the Princess Anne…

July 19, 2019
Museum Director’s Message 7/19/19
lovelockup

This weekend the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum will be hosting a wedding party and a reality tv show from WE…

July 19, 2019
Love After Lockup – The Wedding
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As you can see from the pictures below, the garden is just starting to bloom into its full glory. A…

May 21, 2019
From the Events and Gardens Desk
shoregallopening

Shore Gallery at deWitt Cottage has taken up residency in the AWHM. Their presence, vision, updates, and enhanced merchandise will…

May 6, 2019
Shore Gallery at the de Witt Cottage for Seaside Gifts is Now OPEN!
covawinner

Thank you to all of our friends, family and fans that voted for us across so many categories in the…

May 3, 2019
Coastal Virginia Magazine’s Best of Readers’ Choice Winner
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Join us Sunday, May 19 from 12-7 pm for beer and bourbon tastings, a shrimp boil, and BBQ – all benefiting the…

March 19, 2019
Upcoming Events: Beer and Bourbon at the Brickhouse
Surfrider

Enjoy a night out  while helping our efforts to preserve our piece of Virginia Beach history! A percentage of the…

March 15, 2019
Upcoming Events: Dine Out for the de Witt at Surf Rider Restaurant
museum

Pardon Our Dust! The Museum will be closed until May 1 so that we can make some changes. We are…

March 11, 2019
Pardon Our Dust – Museum Closed until May 1
ilgiardino1

Enjoy a night out  while helping our efforts to preserve our piece of Virginia Beach history! A percentage of the…

January 14, 2019
Upcoming Events: Dine Out for the de Witt at Il Giardino