Our Mission & Vision
The Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum and Gift Shop are operated by the Back Bay Wildfowl Guild, whose members founded the endeavor.
In 1974, a group of local carvers formed the Back Bay Wildfowl Guild hoping to showcase the wildfowl art, carvings, artifacts, and photographs of our area. When the City of Virginia Beach purchased the historic de Witt Cottage in 1992, the Guild thought this would be the perfect location for their museum. Together, the guild and the Virginia Beach Foundation converted the 100 year old cottage into a waterfowl museum, gift shop, and home for the Guild.
Our Mission
Mission: Protect, Preserve, Promote and Provide
Vision: To be a passionate advocate for Coastal Virginia’s environmental and conservation needs through the use of our core values. We aim to keep the past alive in order to shape a bright, educated future for our area.
Core Values:
Protect the natural resources of Coastal Virginia; home to a variety of waterfowl.
Preserve the oral, written, artistic history and legacy of waterfowl hunting and decoys throughout Coastal Virginia.
Promote the education of conservation, history, and the arts through a variety of events and community partnerships.
Provide a connection to the past and venue for collaboration and celebration.