The Door County Maritime Museum, in conjunction with its current "Pirates!" exhibit, is pleased to welcome David Moore, Blackbeard Expert and Curator of Nautical Archaeology at the North Carolina Maritime Museum, to Third Avenue Playhouse in Sturgeon Bay on Monday, August 6th at 7 p.m.   David's lecture and multimedia presentation will discuss a number of shipwrecks he has researched and dove, most notably Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge.

David has been involved in maritime history and shipwreck research for over twenty five years, including stints as a nautical archaeologist for the states of North Carolina and Florida, and conducted field research on over 185 shipwrecks dating from the 16th to 19th centuries.  An alumnus of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, receiving a B.A. in Marine Science (May 1980), Moore traveled to Florida in 1983 as an archaeological consultant soon after completing course work for a Master's degree in Maritime History and Nautical Archaeology at East Carolina University (ECU).  His work in Florida included the structural investigations of the 17th century Spanish galleons Nuestra Senora de Atocha (c.1622), Santa Margarita (c.1622), and the San Martin (c.1618); and directing the first deep-water (1350 feet) shipwreck excavation utilizing robotic technology off the Dry Tortugas (1990-91).  As Principle Investigator on the Henrietta Marie Project, his efforts led to the completion of a Master's thesis at ECU in 1989 on the historical and archaeological investigations of this significant slave ship site that was instrumental in the development of a major traveling exhibition currently touring the country (see National Geographic Magazine, August 2002).  Born, raised, and educated in North Carolina, Moore returned to his home state in February 1996 when hired by the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort.  He began researching piracy and proposed the project to locate Blackbeard's shipwrecks in 1982 while at ECU and is currently helping to direct the excavation off Beaufort Inlet on the archaeological remains of what is thought to be the pirate's flagship Queen Anne's Revenge. 

Tickets can be purchased at the Sturgeon Bay headquarters of the Door County Maritime Museum or by phone at 920.743.5958 beginning Wednesday, July 11, 2007.  Tickets are $10 for Museum members and $15 for non-members.  Third Avenue Playhouse is located at 239 N. 3^rd Avenue in downtown Sturgeon Bay.

The Door County Maritime Museum is looking for classic and wooden boats to join the ever-popular Door County Maritime Museum Classic and Wooden Boat Show, scheduled this year for August 4 - 5, 2007 on the grounds of the Museum's Sturgeon Bay headquarters.  Now in its 17th year, this two-day celebration of handmade and lovingly restored boats, has become a highlight of Midwestern boat enthusiasts attracting thousands of individuals during the two days of festivities.

Fifty or more boats will be on display both days: sleek kayaks, sporty runabouts, elegant sailboats, jaunty dinghies and many more.  Come early and often to admire, vote for your favorite and swap tales with owners.  Judges will select winners for Best of Class self-powered, power & sails as well as Most Worthy of Restoration and Best of Show.   

Of course the Boat Show would not be complete without the enormously popular Sikaflex Challenge Boat Building Contest.  This component of the event begins Saturday morning with 12 teams of two builders each.  Teams have four hours in which to fashion a boat from a very limited supply of lumber, held together with Sikaflex, a marine adhesive.  Sunday afternoon they take turns in the water for sea trials.  Not all boats remain afloat through the short course, so excitement runs high.  People's Choice awards are bestowed based on creativity and overall joi de vie.

As part of the Boat Show festivities, the Museum's annual Boat Show fundraising raffle will take place again this year.  Tickets can be purchased beginning in June and give individuals an opportunity to win some amazing prizes.  This year's grand prize will be a hand-built Lawton Tender, by a class of students lead by master crafter Clay Bonin.  This vessel is perfect for all ages and is great for rowing on the bay or lake.  For more information on the Boat Show Raffle, contact Trudy Herbst at 920.743.5958 or therbst@dcmm.org.

Model boat building for children will take place both days as well as a hands-on knot area, and other hands-on activities for children.  Demonstrations and short lectures will be given each day by a variety of individuals including the Sail Training Foundation, United States Coast Guard, Neptune's Nimrods, etc.