Window on Cecil County's Past

On Thursday, April 25th at 7 p.m. the Port Deposit Heritage Corporation presents an interesting War of 1812 living history program, “An Evening with Dr. William Beanes. William Beanes, a well respected Maryland doctor, was captured by the British for his role in arresting and jailing British deserters and stragglers. Following his capture, Georgetown lawyer…

Since its founding as Maryland’s tenth county in 1674, many men have served as the jurisdiction’s chief law enforcement officer.  Robert M. Walmsley, one of those public servants, was elected to a two year term as sheriff in 1853.  At that time the officer could serve only one term, according to state law.  He was…

The Rural Electrification Administration approved a loan of $545,000 for the Armstrong Phone Company to acquire the Cecil Farmers Telephone Company in 1962.  In addition to purchasing the assets of the enterprise, a series of improvements, including a direct dial system and a new central office, were planned.  On the day the announcement was made, the…

Singerly Fire Company volunteers have been busy over the past several week rearranging displays of artifacts in the museum.   On this Friday afternoon, these relics of many 19th century fights with the flames and smoke rested on the 1818 Hydraulion and the Rodgers Hand Pumper (came to Elkton in 1859).  The top photo, shows two leather helmets that date from the…

By Eric Mease “Choose Ye This Day, Cecil County and the Civil War” opened to a standing room only crowd on Saturday as the Historical Society of Cecil County unveiled its much anticipated Civil War exhibit. Visitors saw artifacts from the society’s collection of Civil War memorabilia ranging from life sized portraits to weapons, from uniforms to…

Cecil Guardian reporter and photographer Bill Hughes wrote a front page piece about the opening of the Historical Society’s Civil War exhibit in this week’s paper.   The photojournalist interviewed the exhibit curator, Lisa Dolor, and one of our living history performers, the Rev. Hubert Jicha.  Be sure to pick up a copy and read the full story.   Thanks…

An old Civil War chaplain’s diary that has been gathering dust for 150-years and was periodically brought out for some research has been getting an enormous amount of attention lately.  This past Monday evening U of DE honors society history students, faculty and staff were pouring over fading pages from another age, scrutinizing those aging entries line by line.  Here are some…

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…

Historic Elk Landing Press Release —– On April 29th, 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…