Tilghman Watermen’s Museum Announces New Board Members

06/05/2026 Tammy Cohee

The Tilghman Watermen’s Museum is delighted to welcome two new members to their Board of Directors. Sharon Thorpe and Tresa Howington have each been appointed to 3-year terms, starting March 26, 2026.
Sharon Thorpe is an accomplished graphic designer and photographer who has been a part of the Tilghman community since 2016. With more than seven years of experience designing marketing materials and capturing museum events, she brings a wealth of creative expertise to the Board. Sharon currently heads her own design agency, and her career has included work with National Geographic and the Prince George’s County Department of Parks & Recreation. In addition to her professional work, she has taught Graphic Design, Typography, and Illustration at the college level, sharing her passion for visual storytelling with the next generation. She has also traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, attending classes and workshops to continually refine and expand her creative skills.
She enjoys her involvement with the St. Michaels Art League and the Tidewater Camera Club, and volunteers her photography skills for the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, where she documents events including log canoe races on the Miles River.
Sharon and her partner, Bobby Firestein, are part-time residents of the Tilghman area, where they have are active in local arts and museum efforts. Outside of her work, she enjoys kayaking on local waterways and spending time watching the area’s ospreys, drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of the Eastern Shore. Sharon is “excited to help the museum grow its reach and visual impact, and to tell the unique story of Tilghman and the Eastern Shore.”
You can see some is Sharon’s work by visiting www.sharonthorpecreative.com.
Tresa Howington and her husband Rick, along with their two pups Patterson and Bella, made their move to Tilghman in Dec. of 2024, leaving their home of nearly 30 years in the Baltimore/Towson area. The Eastern shore was a favorite getaway for the couple over many years. Both Tresa and Rick are originally midwesterners, Tresa hailing from Nebraska and her husband from Illinois. Coming from a small-town upbringing, Tilghman immediately felt like home. The warmth of the people, strong sense of community, rich history, and beauty of the island were all part of the appeal.
Professionally, Tresa is a Customer Service Executive, currently serving as Director of Customer Service for Under Armour. Prior to Under Armour, her career included experience in several industries including online education, testing services, and banking. Tresa has been an active volunteer for several organizations throughout her life and was excited to become an Ambassador for Tilghman Watermen’s Museum on the heels of the move to Tilghman. Tresa enjoys working with the wonderful group of Ambassadors that assist with ongoing tours, activities, and events throughout the year. She was impressed with the wonderful history captured within the museum. The recordings of the stories told by local watermen and the beautiful artwork are a couple of her favorites.
When she is not working or volunteering, you may see Tresa with a camera around her neck or paintbrush in her hand. Tresa’s favorite hobbies include photography, painting, gardening, and upcycling small furniture and home decor pieces. She has found Tilghman to be a great place to nurture her creative spirit.
We look forward to Tresa’s involvement in enhancing our visitors’ experiences at TWM. Tresa shared “I am delighted to work with such a great group of people that love this community and its heritage. We want to preserve the unique history of the watermen that have made this place so special and share it with others. We are lucky to have the Tilghman Watermen’s Museum. As newcomers, it has been a wonderful way to learn more about where we live. It is truly a gem.”
The Tilghman Watermen’s Museum is committed to celebrating, documenting, preserving, and sharing the history, traditions, heritage, and culture of Tilghman’s Island. It hosts an exceptional collection of local artists such as Bill Cummings, Colleen Sadler, Marc Castelli, and Nancy Tankersley, along with a treasure trove of artifacts, oral histories, and boat models. Our current special exhibit covers the history of Sharp’s Island.
Located in the Lee House at 6031 Tilghman Island Road, the museum is open on weekends from May through October from 10:00am – 3:00pm. For additional information, contact us by email: twm6031@gmail.com or visit our website: www.tilghmanmuseum.org.
Admission is free.
Donations are appreciated.