Concord Point Lighthouse stands right at the mouth of the Susquehanna River where it meets the Chesapeake Bay. This brings the connection between waterways and history to life in Havre de Grace: a lighthouse served as a navigational aid, museums explore Chesapeake Bay traditions and the history of the Upper Bay. Attractions also range from historic buildings to paddling opportunities and a self-guided trail. For planning, the main distinction is between seasonal access to the lighthouse and year-round museum visits.

Lighthouse, River, and Trails

Concord Point Lighthouse was built in 1827 and served as a navigational aid for 148 years. During seasonal opening hours, admission to the lighthouse interior and the Keeper’s House Museum is free. Plan this visit around the seasonal schedule and check opening hours before you go. The Susquehanna River offers kayaking and canoeing opportunities that extend to its mouth at the Chesapeake Bay. To reach the Susquehanna Flats, set out from Millard Tydings Memorial Park in Havre de Grace. For a self-guided outing, consider the Joe K. Trail: the free loop is 1.5 miles long.

History in Buildings and Collections

While the canal was in operation from 1840 through the 1890s, the Lock House served both as the home of the lock keeper and his family and as the toll collector’s office. The building thus combined a residential function with a role in canal operations. The Cultural Center at the Opera House was built in 1870; its historic theater hosts live music and performing arts events. The buildings offer different ways to explore cultural history: the Lock House is connected to canal operations, while the theater is associated with live music and stage arts.

The Havre de Grace Decoy Museum preserves Chesapeake Bay traditions of waterfowl hunting and decoy making, as well as the region’s ecological heritage. Visitors can see carved decoys, historic hunting boats, sinkboxes, and folk art. The Havre de Grace Maritime Museum features an interactive exhibit about the Underground Railroad in the greater Havre de Grace area. Another exhibit on the John Smith Trail and the Susquehannocks invites visitors to discover life in the Upper Bay 400 years ago.

The museums focus on different subjects: the Decoy Museum connects waterfowl hunting, decoy traditions, and ecological heritage, while the Maritime Museum explores historical topics such as the Underground Railroad and the history of the Upper Bay. The Havre de Grace Visitor Center offers historical and interpretive information as well as exhibits, adding another place to learn about and explore history alongside the museum visits.

Opening Hours and Visit Planning

The Havre de Grace Decoy Museum is open seven days a week year-round; note that it closes on certain holidays. Admission to Concord Point Lighthouse and the Keeper’s House Museum, by contrast, is subject to seasonal opening hours. If you plan to visit both, take this difference into account and check the hours for your visit. This makes it easy to distinguish a seasonal lighthouse visit from a museum visit that can be planned year-round.

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