The A.J. Meerwald, New Jersey’s official tall ship, will dock along the Delaware River in Trenton from May 14 to 18.
Residents will have a chance to experience the restored 1928 oyster schooner through dockside tours, public sails, and hands-on educational programs.
The ship’s visit to the Capital City was arranged by the Bayshore Center at Bivalve in partnership with the Mercer County Park Commission. The 115-foot vessel, with its two towering masts and three sails, will be anchored at The Docks, adjacent to Trenton’s Waterfront Park.
“The Schooner A.J. Meerwald is an excellent opportunity for Mercer County residents to see a historic oyster dredging schooner,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson. “This event is at the nexus of tourism and history and will provide fun for anyone who attends the reception.”
The A.J. Meerwald’s Trenton schedule begins Wednesday, May 14, with the ship’s arrival between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., followed by a 3 p.m. dockside reception that is open to both invited guests and the public.
From Thursday through Sunday, the ship will host Education Sails for schools and youth organizations, giving students the chance to raise the sails, engage with hands-on learning stations, and explore the Delaware River’s ecosystem from aboard a historic vessel.
Free dockside boat tours and educational activities will be held Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to noon in collaboration with local partners.
Public sails, open to all ages, are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, May 16 and 17, at 5 p.m.; and Sunday, May 18, at 1 and 4 p.m.
Tickets for public sails are $50 per person. The two-hour cruises include scenic views along the Delaware River, part of the national Wild & Scenic Rivers system. Guests may bring their own snacks and beverages aboard.
Built in 1928 in Bivalve, New Jersey, the A.J. Meerwald is a restored oyster dredging schooner that once worked the Delaware Bay. It is one of the few remaining examples of its kind and now serves as a floating classroom through the nonprofit Bayshore Center at Bivalve, based in Cumberland County.
For tickets and full program information, visit www.bayshorecenter.org or contact the Bayshore Center at 856-785-2060 or info@BayshoreCenter.org.
