Some freedom seekers fled from slavery by crossing the Delmarva Peninsula and others by fleeing from the Peninsula. Some risked running on their own and others connected with the Underground Railroad. What we know about these freedom seekers, their routes, and the help they received will be presented. The upper region of the Delmarva Peninsula…
Researching the History of an Old House in Cecil County presented on March 1st.
The speaker’s series for the winter of 2013-14 continues at the Historical Society on March 1 when two professional title searchers explore how to dig through records to determine the history of a piece of property or an old house. In the informative, how-to program, Wendy Webb and Darlene McCall share special skills and insights that…
Society Genealogist Curates the Flight 214 Remembrance Archives
After families departed from Elkton following the December 8, 2013, “Remembrance Program,” Historical Society genealogist Billie Todd started curating the “Fight 214 Archives,” which is becoming a permanent collection at Cecil County’s History and Genealogy Library. It will hold materials created over that long, snowy weekend as nearly 150 friends and relatives traveled to Elkton to…
Catching a Few Rays of Sun on a Short Winter Day in Elkton
Our neighborhood cat took advantage of the brief break in the wintry weather Thursday to catch a few rays of sun in downtown Elkton. Rev. Duke’s Log House at the Historical Society of Cecil County provided the perfect angle for catching the warmth of the short February day. Billie Todd, our resident genealogist at the Society, noticed our friend…
Lesniak Promotional Video Promotes Historical Society Services
Eric Lesniak produced this video promoting the services of the Historical Society of Cecil County. A graduate of the University of Scranton and Shippensburg University, Eric volunteered at the Society for several summers. He took this project on for a videography class. Thanks Eric.
More Historic Cecil County Newspapers Available from Maryland Archives
At a rapid pace these days, old newspapers are being digitized and made openly available to researchers, and as I work on projects I often find additional collections of these valuable publications. Some are completely digitized and fully text searchable, while on demand PDFs make up others. Either way, as we undergo a digital revolution…
History Comes Alive in February at Cecil County Public Library Branches
Press Release – Cecil County Public Library A number of events in February will focus on the African-American experience, past and present. Have you seen the Oscar-nominated movie “Twelve Years a Slave” and are interested in learning more? Even if you haven’t seen the film, join us for a presentation by Syl Woolford, who will…
New System Hastens Response of Perryville Volunteer Fire Company, in 1953
When it comes to fighting fires, every second counts so the Perryville Volunteer Fire Company decided to take additional steps to get apparatus on the road to blazes quickly in 1953. With that objective in mind, the company launched a “new 24 hour fire alarm system” on November 12, 1953, a decade before a professionally…
Spring is Just Around the Corner in Elkton
In March 1953, a full page, color advertisement for the Elkton Supply Company informed readers that spring was just around the corner. and the store had a full inventory of supplies for the season. Source: Cecil Whig
Singerly Replaces Horse-Drawn Units With Motorized Fire Trucks
Elkton was well protected from fire in the years before World War I as the Singerly Fire Company had all the latest equipment for controlling a blaze. Two hand-pulled hose carts supported the horse-drawn Steam Engine and Hook and Ladder, and whenever the old alarm bell rang out with an urgent appeal, those units were…