Join the Shelter Island Historical Society for a one-day-only exhibition of Captain Ed Clark’s award-winning decoys.
All are invited to attend the family-friendly exhibit and reception at the Shelter Island History Center on Saturday, May 21 from 5 to 7 PM. The Historical Society will serve light refreshments.
About Captain Ed
Captain Ed was born in 1935 and grew up on Shelter Island. Family members were caretakers of what’s now Mashomack Preserve when it was privately owned. He spent most of his childhood there and, as with the rest of the family, grew up as a bayman.
He made his living fishing, scalloping, and hunting. Following graduation, Ed served in the U.S. Coast Guard. After retiring from the service, he worked at North Ferry as a Captain for almost 60 years.
Ed Clark’s award-winning decoys
Ed began carving wooden duck decoys as a means to go hunting. A friend eventually convinced him to enter a decoy show/competition on western Long Island.
Subsequent years and shows led him to start entering his decoys in the Ward World Championship for decoy carving, hosted by the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art at Salisbury University in Maryland. It features the world’s largest and finest public collection of decorative and antique decoys.
Ed taught his four sons to carve and they have also entered competitions. He eventually taught his grandchildren this incredible skill and many Ward World Championship Carving competitions have had entries from three generations of Clarks.
For additional information, visit shelterislandhistorical.org/clarkdecoys.
