Keeping the Baymen’s Spirit Alive: Inside the Tuckerton Seaport

In our digital, high-speed world, it is easy to forget that not long ago, life in South Jersey was dictated by the tides, the seasons, and the migration of ducks.

The Tuckerton Seaport isn’t just a museum; it is a preservation of the “Barnegat Baymen”—the rugged individuals who made their living on the water through clamming, decoys, boat building, and hunting. Located along Tuckerton Creek, this 40-acre maritime village strives to keep these fading traditions from disappearing entirely into the mist.

From a replica lighthouse with a tragic backstory to the birthplace of American surfing, here is why this site is the soul of the Jersey Shore.

A Village Built on History

The concept of the Seaport began in the late 1980s with a group of locals dedicated to preserving decoys. What started as a small museum in a hunting shanty eventually blossomed into a plan to save a 40-acre wooded parcel from becoming a motel and strip mall.

Opened in May 2000, the Seaport is a collection of historic buildings moved to the site and faithful recreations of lost local landmarks. It features a boardwalk, a sawmill, a boatworks, a decoy carving shop, and a sea captain’s house, all designed to transport you back to the heyday of the Barnegat Bay.

The Lighthouse That Fell into the Sea

The most striking structure on the property is the Tucker’s Island Lighthouse. While it looks pristine today, it is a replica of a building with a disastrous history.

The original lighthouse was built in 1848 (and rebuilt in 1868) on Tucker’s Island, a resort island that once sat off the coast of Long Beach Island. In 1927, the ocean finally won its battle with the land. In a dramatic event captured in photographs, the lighthouse toppled into the sea, and eventually, the entire island was swallowed by the Atlantic.

Today, the replica serves as a museum featuring exhibits on shipwrecks, the US Life-Saving Service, and the Francis Life Car—a metal capsule used to rescue passengers from sinking ships.

The Legend of the Sneakbox

Inside the Perrine Boatworks, the smell of cedar shavings tells the story of New Jersey’s most famous invention: the Barnegat Bay Sneakbox.

Developed in 1836 by Captain Hazelton Seaman, the Sneakbox is a marvel of engineering. Built from Atlantic White Cedar, this spoon-shaped boat can navigate marshes in as little as three inches of water. It was the Baymen’s pickup truck—used for duck hunting, clamming, fishing, and sailing.

For years, the boatworks was the domain of Ron Spodofora, a master boatbuilder who spent his retirement keeping the craft alive. Ron passed away in 2016, and his loss was felt deeply by the community. He was one of the last of a dying breed. Today, the Seaport relies on volunteers and visiting artisans to demonstrate these skills, highlighting just how fragile this heritage has become.

Surfers and Houseboats

Did you know New Jersey has a claim to surfing history? The New Jersey Surf Museum, located on the Seaport grounds, explores the connection between the Baymen and the board. As early as 1912, locals were riding waves on massive wooden planks. The museum connects the science of waves with the culture of the shore.

You will also find landlocked houseboats on the property. In the 1920s, over 3,000 people lived on houseboats in New Jersey waters (often to avoid property taxes!). The Skinner/Donnelly Houseboat (c. 1935) and the Periwinkle (c. 1930) are rare survivors of this floating lifestyle.

The Oldest House in the County

While many buildings are replicas, the Seaport is home to the real deal: the Andrews-Bartlett Homestead.

The original section dates to 1709, making it the oldest home in Ocean County. Built by Quaker settler Mordecai Andrews, it is a direct link to the founding of the region.

Nearby stands the Sea Captain’s House (c. 1855). Originally built for Edmund Bartlett and later owned by Captain Zebedee Rockhill, it has been beautifully restored to show how a wealthy maritime family lived during the Victorian era.

Resilience and Community

The Tuckerton Seaport is no stranger to the power of nature. In 2012, Superstorm Sandy caused over $350,000 in damage to the site. Yet, the very next day, the Seaport opened its doors (despite having no power) to serve as a gathering place for the devastated community.

That spirit continues today. The Seaport hosts major community events, including the “Privateers & Pirates Festival” and the “Ocean County Decoy and Gunning Show,” ensuring that while the Baymen may be gone, their culture remains the backbone of Tuckerton.

If You Visit

• Location: 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
• Hours: Generally open daily, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Check website for seasonal changes).
• Don’t Miss: The Creek Tour. In the warmer months, you can take a pontoon boat ride down Tuckerton Creek for a view of the wetlands that inspired the Sneakbox.
• Admission: Yes (Members are free).

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For More Information

• Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen’s Museum (www.tuckertonseaport.org)