Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum — Attraction in Virginia Beach

Went here on 11/15/20 while walking down the boardwalk. For a $2 per person voluntary donation, you can check out historical waterfowl decoys used in hunting ducks to sell their meat at the markets and to supply local restaurants.

These handmade decoys are quite rare due to the fact that hunters used to burn them for firewood if they were damaged after the hunting season was over.

I enjoyed the film in the museum and wish it was available for purchase. It showed how these decoys were made by hand, including using shards of glass to sand the birds, prior to the advent of commercial sandpaper. I learnt that aside from glass, dried sharkskin was used to sand down wood.

The only thing that would make this museum 5 stars would be to add placards to the exhibit so you could know what exactly you're looking at without needing to ask the volunteer docent.

While we were sitting in the rocking chairs on the porch of the museum, a volunteer was leading a hands on woodworking demonstration...

Built in 1895, beautifully restored almost 100 years later in 1994, the de Witt Cottage features a large collection of wildfowl decoys, as well as a wide variety of old photographs, newsclips, and antiques. Lower floor free, $2 donation requested for upper gallery, which is accessible via stairlift for those who may have difficulty climbing. Video lecture provides a brief history of the Virginia Beach boardwalk. Great lens back in time for those interested in the area's history. Curator was knowledgeable and gregarious without being pushy. Souvenir postcards 3-for-$1. Gift shop also featured books, art, jewelry, and (of course!) decoys. Purchase came with complimentary reusable state-branded canvas tote. Would recommend checking it out if you're...

Quaint little museum for anyone interested in the history of fowl hunting and the rifles and wooden decoys used in the past. Clean restrooms. Never any wait or crowds. May be a few families walking throughout during peak summer months, but never crowded. Nice walkway for handicap access and rocking chairs on the wooden front porch facing the Atlantic Ocean. Also a the Dewitt Cottege is adjacent & sometimes has good local live music very visible from the porch of the museum. Recommended if you enjoy the museum topic, want to learn about it, or just enjoy sitting in a rocking chair...