One of the authors of a newly published Johns Hopkins University title, the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake, will be the guest speaker for the annual Historical Society of Cecil County meeting on October 18th. Dr. Ralph Eshelman spent years investigating sites connected with the conflict in Maryland so as the bicentennial of this chapter of our past nears, we’re pleased to have the opportunity to hear the distinguished historian.
His presentation will focus on the campaign in Maryland and our general area. “No state has more battlefields, graves or sites associated with the War,” he noted in a Washington College lecture. “Elkton and St. Michaels share the distinction of turning the British back twice.”
Dr. Eshelman was the director of the Calvert Marine Museum in Maryland from 1974 to 1990. In 1974 he received his Ph.D. in geology and vertebrate paleontology from the University of Michigan. He’s now a research associate at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. He is widely published and lectures on maritime and military history, popular exploration and paleontology. In addition he also served as a consulting historian on the War of 1812 on the Chesapeake for the Maryland Historical Trust and the National Park Service.
The evening program will be held at the Chesapeake Inn in Chesaepake City, MD, start at 6:00 p.m. with dinner on Oct. 18th. Watch for additional information on the evening’s arrangements soon, but keep this important date on your calendar. The author’s book will be available for purchase at the special discounted price of $60.00 and he will be happy to autograph your copy. He accepts cash or check.
The cost of the dinner is $30.00 per person for members of the Historical Society of Cecil County and $35.00 for non-members. You may select between Crab Cake or Chicken Marsala. Your meal will include salad, coffee or tea and dessert.
Please send your reservation to Paula Newton, HSCC, 135 E. Main St., Elkton, MD 21921. Make your check payable to the Historical Society of Cecil County and be sure to include your meal selection. The deadline for reservations is October 8, 2009. This is a catered dinner making it impossible for us to take late reservations or walk-ins.
Hi Mike,
The event on October 18th looks great! Is it open to the public? May I post the information on our website and announce to our partners or is this a member only event?
Thanks,
Kate
Kate: Please do pass the word. We’re excited at the Historical Society to get read to welcome the Bicentennial with this event. It is a public event and we’ll have a few of the details out such as price and things in a few days. We also have some great stories of first-hand witnesses that we’re looking forward to sharing and we’ll get a few more posts up on those in the month ahead as the time for the celebration nears.
Fabulous! I just added it on our website. I will also include it on our next e-newsletter and will post on our listserv, Facebook, and Twitter pages.
Thanks Kate.