As evening arrives on this autumn day in 2010, and another November 22nd slowly begins to fade into the past, it’s hard to believe it’s been 47 years since the county’s tranquility was disturbed by broadcasters sorrowfully announcing “From Dallas, Texas, the flash, apparently official, President Kennedy died at 1 p.m. Central Standard time. ….
Blue Moon Rising Over Cecil County
This Sunday evening, there’s a bright Blue Moon rising over Cecil County. This term means it’s the third of four full moons in a single season or the second full one in a calendar month, according to the website earthsky.org. So on this beautiful evening stroll outdoors for a few moments and enjoy the gentle…
One-Room Schoolhouse Near Sylmar Razed
While Cecil County once had dozens of one-room schoolhouses serving rural areas and small villages, many have disappeared in recent decades. The most recent one, the old Cherry Grove School near Sylmar, was leveled during the past week. Built in 1881 for $680, it closed on October 24, 1931, when pupils were transferred to Calvert. …
Genealogy Detectives: Tracing Your Family Roots
If you are interested in looking for your family roots, you will definitely want to attend Genealogy Detectives: Tracing Your Family Roots, a “how-to” primer on many of the resources available for tracing your family tree, Wednesday, November 17 at 7pm at the Elkton Branch of the Cecil County Public Library. Emilie Braeuning will discuss…
The Mason-Dixon Line: The Stories behind a Geographic Boundary, at Rising Sun Library Nov. 13
Hear about the Mason Dixon Line, the Story behind a Geographic Boundary in a free program at the Rising Sun Library at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010 Born as a result of a bitter territorial dispute over royal land grants, the Mason-Dixon Line was surveyed between 1763 and 1767 to settle the boundaries for…
Lantern Tour of Historic Port Deposit, Oct. 30th
Book Discussion at Rising Sun Library, Oct 13 — “Recollections of a Veteran or Four Years in Dixie” Published by Local Author 30 Years After the War
J. Polk Racine, an Elkton native, served four years in the Civil War. Some thirty years after those trying times, he wrote “Recollections of a Veteran or Four Years in Dixie,” telling about what an old veteran saw while serving in the Army of the Potomac. He was illiterate when he enlisted but Col. I….
Research Tip: When Digging Into the Past, Don’t Forget to Check Out Newspapers in Middletown, Havre de Grace & Oxford
Anyone involved in doing local research is aware of how helpful old newspapers are for mining information on genealogy and history. These sources provide some of the most fascinating insights while digging into the region’s past for each issue thoroughly chronicled the community, recording exactly what happened. Thousands of these dusty, time worn, old newspapers were…
Mount Harmon Revolutionary War Reenactment Festival, Oct 23 & 24
Mark your calendars for October 23 & 24 since “The British are coming to Cecil County…..Again.” Mount Harmon is hosting a full-scale Revolutionary War Re-enactment and Colonial Festival featuring over 200 re-enactors and an array of colonial craft vendors and activities for our members and the public to enjoy. Each day will feature an exciting…
Cecil County Lore in Local Author’s Newest Book
More than a dozen Cecil County stories are featured in Ed Okonowicz’s newest book, “The Big Book of Maryland Ghost Stories.” Published by Stackpole Books, the 417-page, hardbound volume includes more than 150 ghost stories from throughout the state of Maryland. Divided into six sections, the book features stories from every county throughout the state, as…