Window on Cecil County's Past

Maryland maintains a unique initiative called the resident curatorship, which makes historic properties available for lifetime leases.  In exchange for an annual payment of $1, the curator agrees to restore and maintain the house and grounds at no cost to the state, in accordance with historic preservation standards.   After the restoration, curators are able to…

The Historical Society of Cecil County has added two rare and valuable manuscripts from an anonymous donor to its collection.  Beginning in 1701 and running into the 1730s, these folio ledgers contain some of the earliest extant court records for the County.  The long-lost documents, which surfaced recently when a distant donor from New York contacted…

  Chautauqua, an event that takes place every summer, gives residents of Cecil County a chance to meet and talk with historical figures from the past about their experiences and accomplishments.  This year’s theme “Beyond Boundaries”  will bring Thurgood Marshall, Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. and Sacagawea to the county, as we hear from people who broke barriers, crossed borders,…

The Cecil County Cemetery or Potter’s Field, the final resting place for paupers who couldn’t afford a burial, is located across from Mt. Aviat Academy.  On the grounds of what was the county poorhouse, it contains some 150 to 200 unmarked graves. The Alms House, as it was also known, opened about 1776  and closed in…

From the Maryland Historical Trust —- The Savin-Conrey House located at 221 George Street was built by Thomas Conrey c.1850 and is located in the Chesapeake City Historic District along the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. The house was used as a telephone exchange at one time and later rented as a private residence. After many years of…

Saving Family Treasures, will be the subject of a program at the Chesapeake City Branch Library  (410-996-1134) on June 15, 2010 from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Family treasures are often neglected, frequently tucked away in drawers, trunks and attics. Preserving these heirlooms – items such as marriage certificates, family Bibles, letters, journals, and photos – is important,…

Rising Sun Community Little League:  A History of the First Years: 1954 and 1955, chronicles the story of this youth-oriented sport in the northern Cecil County town.   Just published by the Historical Society of Cecil County, the author, James A. Crothers, II, drew on his experience on the team in those formative years.  He also…

Ever held a 500 year old arrow head in your hand? Ever examined a piece of 150 year old china? Ever rolled a piece of charcoal in your fingers that could  be from a pre-historic fireplace? You could do just that on Saturday June 5th at Historic Elk Landing during our Archeology Day.  Since Pre-historic times, Historic…

We try to stay up on media coverage related to Cecil County history and culture in order to share news about the creation of these materials with the blogosphere.  An April 1st broadcast on the Baltimore Public Radio outlet, WYPR, slipped past us somehow but it  came up this evening during the public hearing on the tax rate. As a…

On May 20th at 7:00, local author David Healey will talk about his soon-to-be-published book, Delmarva: Legends and Lore, in which he explores the sometimes quirky, sometimes spooky, history of our unique region between the Chesapeake and Delaware bays. In his talk patrons will meet slavecatchers, duelists, outlaw oyster boat captains, and a peach baron or…