What is the Bayshore Center at Bivalve?

The Bayshore Center at Bivalve is an umbrella organization based in history and environmental education for youth and adults. It operates around three connected parts: the 1928 oyster schooner A. J. Meerwald, community events and programs held in historic oyster shipping sheds, and the Delaware Bay Museum. If you are looking for a place to learn about New Jersey's Bayshore, book a tall ship sail, or attend an educational community event, this is the organization behind those activities.

The three components

A. J. Meerwald: the floating classroom

The A. J. Meerwald (AJM) is a 1928 oyster schooner described as New Jersey's official tall ship. It serves as a floating classroom, taking youth and adults "back in time while investigating the natural environment of our rivers, bays and oceans."

• Sails last approximately 2 hours and include education programming for youth and adults.
• The ship travels to many ports throughout New Jersey each year, so you can experience your local waterway.
• A 2026 Port Schedule and sailing tickets are available, along with a virtual tour option.

Community events and programs

Events and programs take place in historic 1904 oyster shipping sheds and on wharves along the Maurice River, a National Wild & Scenic River that feeds into the Delaware Bay. These were once working docks where schooners loaded with oysters docked with their day's catch.

The center offers land- and water-based field trips for youth, and its calendar runs year-round with community events connecting youth and adults to the Bayshore community and environment through education. A recurring event is "2nd Fridays."

Delaware Bay Museum

The museum specializes in the history of New Jersey's Bayshore, connecting the environment, the oyster industry, and the workforce from the 1920s onward. Its collection includes original artifacts, oral histories, hands-on activities, and a gift shop, all located in the historic Oyster Shipping Sheds.

Visiting the museum

Museum hours vary by season, so check before you go:

Other events and trips are scheduled independently, and the center advises calling for information.

What the organization works toward

Through the A. J. Meerwald and the Delaware Bay Museum, the Bayshore Center at Bivalve works to further understanding of the human impact on New Jersey's aquatic environment through education, advocacy, and programs. Its focus is the Bayshore region's oyster industry, maritime history, and natural environment.

Practical starting points

• To go sailing: look for the 2026 Port Schedule and sailing tickets.
• To attend an event: check the community programs and events calendar, or look for event tickets.
• To visit the museum: plan around the seasonal hours above and call ahead for special events or independent trips.