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As the region celebrates the 200th anniversary of the British attack on the Upper Chesapeake during the War of 1812 some old-timers that have been around for centuries are going to roam around Charlestown, once again.  While they meander streets and gather in small clusters in the beautiful river town, these centuries’ old residents will share stories about what it was like to face the all too real threat of pillaging, burning and looting by the English right here in Cecil County.

This special bicentennial event, “Footsteps from the Past” walking tour, opened last year to a sold out crowd.   So be sure to get your tickets early for this popular activity that will find history enthusiasts ambling through the streets of Charlestown, along attractive pathways of the well-preserved historic district on the shore of the North East River.

The audience will pause at selected spots to hear first-hand, dramatic stories about the time the second war with Britain came to Elkton, Frenchtown, Fredericktown, Principio and Charlestown.  In between stops, the broader historical narrative about troubling times on the Chesapeake and in the county will be shared.  Once dusk descends on the charming community, lanterns are going to help chase away the lengthening shadows as the group heads back to its starting point, the Wellwood Club.

This year’s event in Colonial Charlestown steps off at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. on May 5, 2013.  But after last year’s event that attracted 125 people, event organizers have scaled things back a little in order to provide better viewing and listening during performances.  Each walk is limited to 50 strollers and the cost is $10 in advance through the Wellwood Club or $12 at the door.  The proceeds benefit the Historical Society and Colonial Charlestown.  Generous support of these local nonprofit heritage groups is provided by the Wellwood Club, the President and Commissioners of Charlestown, Cecil County Tourism, and the Heritage Troupe.

Historic Elk Landing Press Release

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On April 29^th, 1813, a British naval unit attached and burned the wharfs at Frenchtown and two nearby packet boats.  They then went to the plantation of Frisby Henderson seeking directions to Elkton, the county seat.  Their purpose, to burn it to the ground as American forces had done to several Canadian towns the year before.

Frisby refused to betray Elkton’s location.  The marines then turned to a 20 year old slave woman, Hetty Boulden and told her if she would take them to Elkton, they would give her more money than she could imagine.  This courageous young woman then took the British Marines, not to Elkton, but to the confluence of the Big and Little Elk Creeks where they stared straight into the guns of Forts Hollingsworth and Defiance. Although the British would try at least twice more to take the town, ultimately, they were unsuccessful.  Elkton was saved.

On Friday and Saturday, April 26^th and 27^th, the Historic Elk Landing Foundation presents, “The Battle of Elk Landing, a Bicentennial Celebration.” That weekend, through the magic of living history theatre, Ms. Boulden will return to us to tell her story on the 200^th anniversary of its occurrence.  She will interact with visitors in the very location of Fort Hollingsworth which defended Elkton so well.  She, along with two other living history characters: Mary Hollingsworth, the matriarch of the Hollingsworth family in 1813, and Judge Thomas Jefferson Sample, who gave us so many details of the events 2 centuries ago, will take visitors back in time and tell, in their own words, their stories which impacted Elkton, Cecil County, and the region.

Friday evening will feature 2 candle light tours including the living history theatre and an encampment of Cecil Militia.  The first will begin at 6, the second at 7:30.  Admission is $5 for persons 12 years old and older and $3 for persons under 12 years of age.

The “Battle of Elk Landing, a Bicentennial Celebration” will continue on Saturday at 10 a.m. when the Elk Landing grounds will open for tours of the houses that were on site during the 1813 battle, an explanation and tour of the newly discovered Fort Hollingsworth, a military encampment, examples of life in 1813 presented by the Heritage Troupe, and 2 more performances of the living history presentation: the first at 11 a.m. and the second at 2 p.m.  Admission for the day, including one tour, is $5 for persons 12 years old and older.  Persons under 12 are $3.  Refreshments will be available at cost.

Reservations for the individual living history tours are required as group tour sizes are limited.  Reservations can be made by calling and leaving a voice message at 410-620-6400.  Please include your name, the number of tickets requested by age, the day and time of the tour requested, and a call back phone number.

See our web site at http://www.elklanding.org for more information on the War of 1812 at Elk Landing and directions.  Like us on Facebook for updates in April.

An old structure that has seen the passage of over 200 springs was looking fine on this chilly morning in early April.  The Rev. William Duke built the log house in Elkton about 1799.  Here he conducted a school for boys and held the first Anglican services in town.  In the early 1970s plans for expansion of Union Hospital called for tearing the dwelling down, so it was moved to its present site in the rear of the 135 E. Main Street by the Historical Society of Cecil County.

Maryland State Highway Administration’s Archaeologists have joined in on the commemoration of the bicentennial of the war of 1812 by publishing a blog that shares information on the latest excavations and findings about that conflict.  In addition to sharing details of sites along Maryland highways, they have guest articles by archaeologists who are working on related investigations around the State.

There are some fascinating column and we have enjoyed reading about Caulk’s field, Joshua Barney and much more.  And readers of a Window on Cecil County’s Past will find Dr. Jim Gibb’s four serialized installments on Fort Hollingsworth to be of interest as he provides insight on last year’s dig and looks more broadly at the enemy incursion on the Elk River.  Here’s a link to the blog.  ` 

As the nation observes the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, the Historical Society of Cecil County has mounted an informative local exhibit that examines that terrible conflict through the lens of local history.  This attractive, temporary arrangement by curator Lisa Dolor opens on Saturday, April 6th at 2:00 p.m. at the Cecil County History and Genealogy Library, 135 E. Main Street, Elkton.

Taking a war in your backyard approach, it contemplates how rapidly unfolding national events tore the nation apart and deeply affected our home-front, as young men marched off to fight in distant places.  Locally it created broken families as loved ones fought and died, political decisions disrupted friendships, and everyone sacrificed in so many untold ways.   All of these subjects and more are examined in the exhibit and in a series of supporting programs offered in the months ahead.

Formally titled “Choose Ye this Day” the displays includes maps, photographs, diaries, letters, newspapers and local relics and artifacts that allow visitors to consider the local perspective while enhancing their personal understanding of this landmark period. Presenting multiple local perspectives, Dolor noted that the displays have been divided into four parts, telling the Cecil story about the military, political matters, home life, and religion.  “We want visitors to have a better understanding of the role Cecil County played during the war,” the designer noted as the interpretations and displayed artifacts bring the conflict home.

The war in your backyard approach will enable those interested in the sesquicentennial to connect local narratives to the broader perspective of the nation’s story.  At the event opening, there will be a living history performance as the old Civil War vet and Methodist Minister, the Rev. Joseph Brown of Cherry Hill travels back through time to greet visitors.  Played by the Rev. Hubert Jicha of the North East United Methodist Church, who has worked with the soldiers diaries, he will share stories about service in the Union Army and time in Libby Prison.  The Society is also using digital technology as it has partnered with the University of Delaware to create a virtual copy of those diaries that will also be exhibited.

The Society is pleased to share the experiences of Cecil Countians during to Civil War as it draws on original, rare materials from the period, which allows visitors to reflect on the local experiences.

On this snowy, Monday in early spring, large, gentle flakes have been falling to the ground for most of the day.  As this relic of winter accumulated a few inches on grassy surfaces but not on the roads, the day provided a perfect opportunity to snap some photos of historic Cecil County sites covered probably one last time with a white blanket that reminds us of the past frigid season.  Of course, we are still waiting for that tentative nudge from spring.

These images are places that have seen winters come and go for centuries, though this year passed by without having too many days when we suffered from some light frozen coatings.  There are the old covered bridges which have weathered blizzards, hurricanes, wind-storms, and floods, while providing a dry passage over creeks for the horse and buggy and stroller.  There is also the old Quaker Meeting House and a house in the woods.

In a county that has many extant cultural resources in the 21st century, we also have the beauty of the natural environment. On this chilly afternoon in late March, the Big Elk Creek flowed gently southward on its way to meet the waters of the Elk River.

John Randel, Jr., (1787-1865), a surveyor and engineer completed a full survey of Manhattan Island and took part in a number of important engineering projects during his lifetime.  Renowned for his inventiveness, the C & D Canal Company hired him to oversee the building of the C & D Canal in 1823 but dismissed him four years later.  As a result he won a $226,855 breach of contract suit, a large sum in the 1830s and he lived out the remainder of his life at Randelia, his large Cecil County estate.

This unique man is the subject of a biography by Professor Marguerite Holloway, the director of science and environmental journalism at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.  The Historical Society was pleased to help the author research the Cecil County angle in “The Measure of Manhattan:  The Tumultuous Career and Surprising Legacy of John Randel, Jr., Cartographer, Surveyor, and Inventor.”  We will add this title to our collection.

The Historical Society recently partnered with the University of Delaware’s Media Center to crowd-source the Civil War Diary of the a Cherry Hill Minister, the Rev. Joseph Brown.  We will have a press release on this matter soon, but in the meantime enjoy this informative U of DE video-cast by clicking the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nez2dWQ6TxA&feature=share&list=PL-EqRYmBdL8i67ND_Rvp869TMsSY3CKaZ

March 19, 2013, Chesapeake City, MD. – The Historical Society of Cecil County was recognized as the Tourism Partner of the year for its work in support of the local hospitality industry at the annual Tourism Recognition Breakfast.  This yearly presentation at the PNC Bank sponsored event gives the county the opportunity to recognize outstanding partnership collaboration that markets and enhances the region.

The Society takes an active role in supporting our destination marketing initiatives, Sandy Turner county director of tourism noted as she presented the award to the all-volunteer group.   It also plays a central part in the creation of products and events for visitors, such as the War of 1812 Walking Tour, museum exhibits, driving tours, and lectures Turner added.

“As the keepers of Cecil’s heritage we are pleased to be recognized as a significant partner by the county,” Paula Newton, the history group’s president said.   “The staff in our unpaid organization gives many free hours to promote our area and help the business community as we support the creation of the destination visitor experience here.”

A dynamic organization that is the source for understanding the area’s heritage, the 80-year-old organization shares its wealth of resources, collections, and knowledge of earlier times with the public through programs, exhibits, a library, publications, and community outreach.  The research library, the one place you need to visit if you are studying the past locally, is the largest repository of materials pertaining the county in existence anywhere.  It has over well over 10,000 photos, centuries of old newspapers published in nearly every town, thousands of manuscripts, and about every book ever published on Cecil’s past.  The volunteer subject matter experts, gladly apply their practical knowledge to actively support every segment that has an interest in heritage tourism or genealogy.  Visit the Society’s website at www.cecilhistory.org for more information.

“We are pleased to work closely with Tourism, Economic Development, and the hospitality industry to benefit the business community here and leverage our talents and resources for that purpose,” Newton noted.  “We thank the county, Economic Development, and the Tourism committee for recognizing the exceptional work of our volunteers and the value proposition our nonprofit brings to economic development in Cecil County.”