A native of Glen Rock, New Jersey, Lloyd Devigne and his wife relocated to Easton in 2005 and settled into their new home. After a career at IBM that spanned 25 years, Devigne wanted to enjoy his retirement and find an interesting way to spend his time. So when he read an article in local newspaper about an upcoming docent training course for prospective volunteers at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM), it immediately piqued his interest. He had always been captivated by maritime history, and the opportunity to become actively involved really appealed to him. Although Devigne didn’t realize it at the time, he had just discovered his vocation, and he would soon embark on an exciting new chapter in his life.
“After giving it some thought, I decided to take the course, and I have been a volunteer at CBMM since 2006,” Devigne says. “I love being a member of the volunteer corps and seeing the visitors immerse themselves in the exhibits. CBMM offers a wide variety of opportunities for people of all ages to learn about the culture and history of the Chesapeake Bay region. There is so much to see and do, and I especially love interacting with the visitors and watching as their eyes light up with excitement.”
The CBMM campus, which is located along the Miles River in St. Michaels, features a floating fleet of historic boats, a working shipyard, several exhibition buildings, a lighthouse, interactive exhibits, collections, tours, boat rides, hands-on education programs, festivals, and much more. Indeed, Devigne is so impressed by the treasure trove of opportunities that CBMM offers that he has taken on numerous roles as a volunteer, which allow him to participate year round in different activities.
Although he first began his volunteer work as a docent leading group tours of the campus, Devigne soon decided to expand his horizons. In 2007, he started crewing CBMM’s buyboat, Mister Jim, and he completed the requirements to become a United States Coast Guard (USCG) certified captain in 2010. Devigne moved from the crew to one of the volunteer captains on Mister Jim and then became a volunteer captain on Winnie Estelle, an oyster buyboat built in 1920, when CBMM acquired the vessel in 2014. In addition, he welcomes visitors and also mentors new docents.
Obviously, this schedule keeps Devigne very busy, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. He enjoys the flexibility that CBMM offers its volunteers to budget their time and strives to stay engaged in exciting activities. From April through November, he leads group tours, and he spends May through October driving Winnie Estelle. One of eight volunteer captains, Devigne takes visitors on scenic river cruises on the Miles River when he is on the schedule, which is typically about once a week. And during the winter months, he greets visitors.
“Lloyd is a true example of what it means to be an ambassador,” says CBMM’s Volunteer & Education Programs Manager Allison Speight. “He has immersed himself in all aspects of the museum’s operations—from leading tours, to serving as captain and crew to support on-the-water programming, to helping to maintain our fleet of historic vessels. Lloyd is a true steward of the Chesapeake Bay, and we are extremely lucky to have him as part of the CBMM family.”
“Lloyd’s passion for maritime heritage and his love of sharing the Chesapeake’s story shine through in every interaction,” adds CBMM’s Content Marketing Manager Bethany Ziegler “CBMM would not be the success it is today without the generous commitment of dedicated volunteers like Lloyd.”
Without a doubt, Devigne is passionate about volunteering at CBMM and enjoys sharing the experience with the visitors. The campus offers a great venue to learn about Maryland’s rich history and can easily be likened to a living classroom—a forum to gain a better understanding of the importance of the Chesapeake Bay. And while CBMM offers a fun experience for visitors of all ages, Devigne also hopes that it inspires them to become actively involved in a great cause.
“We all have an obligation to do our part to protect the Bay,” Devigne says. “CBMM fosters awareness of the serious issues that affect the Bay. It’s so important to preserve our maritime history and culture, so we can pass it on to the next generation. I love volunteering, and the work I do is extremely rewarding. CBMM has a great corps of volunteers who share a sense of camaraderie. We love interacting with the visitors, and we meet so many interesting people. There is never a dull moment.”
At the time of writing, CBMM was closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. For the latest updates on the situation, visit cbmm.org.
