Our Story
In 1997, a handful of educators from Maryland’s Eastern Shore came together to build a replica of the 1768 schooner SULTANA to help students better understand the Chesapeake Bay. More than two decades later the Sultana Education Foundation (SEF) has grown to serve more than 14,000 students and teachers annually with a grade-appropriate progression of Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) certified programs in history and environmental science. SEF has also become an important resource for individuals and families, providing summer enrichment programs and outdoor experiences for the public. Whether paddling in the wake of Captain John Smith, sailing on the schooner SULTANA, exploring land-use issues at the Lawrence Wetlands Preserve, or serving as a citizen scientist at the Holt Education Center, participants in SEF’s programs gain a better understanding of the Chesapeake Bay and the roll they can play in saving this national treasure.