The Sail that put the “Sail in Sailwinds”
History, Lifestyle / January 27, 2022

The Visitor Center is a landmark that is hard to overlook as you drive across the Frederick C. Malkus, Jr. Bridge (Choptank River Bridge). Its iconic 100-foot sail marks your arrival at Cambridge Harbor and the heart of the Chesapeake, Dorchester County. This architectural wonder opened in 1994 and is home to the Dorchester County Tourism Department. Every day from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Visitor Center staff enthusiastically help travelers from far and wide make the best out of their time in Dorchester.

The center also includes a two-level exhibit about life in the Dorchester area. As you walk through the exhibit learning about life, agriculture, seafood, the Underground Railroad, and natural resources, you can catch glimpses of the Choptank River, a major tributary of the Chesapeake Bay and a central contributor to the heritage and lifestyle of the area.

From friendly staff and brochure guides to informative exhibits, the Visitor Center is the first stop in your journey through Dorchester County.

Along the side of the Visitor Center, you will find a depiction of just that Chesapeake Bay heritage. Created by the artist, Michael Rosato, the 33 feet by 11 feet mural, Ode to Watermen, depicts watermen of the Eastern Shore harvesting oysters. Generation after generation, the watermen of Dorchester County have worked the bay to provide sustenance and life. This blue-collar maritime heritage is at the core of the history and culinary roots of the area. Next time you drive across the Choptank, be sure to stop by for a visit.

Ode to Watermen

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