Elkton, Jan. 5., 2012 – Curiosity about a 250-year-old line that once settled a colonial-era property dispute and later took on popular symbolism as a boundary between the north and the south was strong Saturday. On this winter afternoon a standing-room-only crowd of 100 people packed the large gallery at the Historical Society of Cecil County as Mike Dixon, a historian, did the Mason-Dixon Line lecture.
The lively, slide-illustrated program kept things rolling along. But laughter periodically interrupted the lecture as humorous, quirky incidents associated with the work of the old surveyors was examined. And questions flowed from the eager audience. People lingered afterwards, talking in groups and sharing their interest in this famous boundary. They also gathered around centuries old maps from the Cecil County History and Genealogy Library, seeking out particular details.
This was part of the Society’s winter speaker’s series. During the colder months, the Society hosts a series of lively, engaging speakers on topics ranging from practical research methods to fresh lectures that have broad appeal. All talks are designed to be informative and enjoyable while concentrating on fresh, broadly engaging topics or applied sessions to help you with your research.
Upcoming programs for the remainder of the 2010 season will bring more of these types of programs to Cecil County. Those include the Vietnam Mailbag and Stealing Freedom on the Line. The programs take place on the first Saturday of each month at 2:00 p.m. at the Society’s library at 135 E. Main Street in Elkton.
