Since summer is coming to an end, it is time for the Historical Society of Cecil County to announce the schedule for its popular winter speakers’ series for the 2013-14 season. We always start a little early — right in the middle of autumn — and stretch the programs through the cold winter months. During this period the Society hosts a series of lively, engaging speakers on fresh topics that have popular appeal, introduce new research or provide practical how-to instruction. The free programs take place on the first Saturday of each month at 2:00 p.m. at the Cecil County History and Genealogy Library at 135 E. Main Street, Elkton, MD.
Now that the 1960s are history and not just nostalgia the Society is opening an exhibit this fall that celebrates and studies the happenings of that era locally so the monthly lectures kick-off with a program delving into that period. On October 5th Milford Sprecher examines “Elkton in the 1960s.” This first-time lecture captures the spirit of those years locally and provides the perspective of someone who came of age during that pivotal time.
There will also be practical, how-to research subjects. Emily Kilby’s “Reconstructing 100 Ruins,” delves into exploring the past that is nearby and all around us in Fair Hill and we will have a workshop on researching the history of your old house.
Sean Moir applies modern methods to an old topic, “The Philadelphia Campaign in the Revolutionary War.” He approaches the session from the cartographer’s perspective and uses historical temporal GIS mapping to animate the story and the route through Cecil County.
Next year, historian and lecturer Syl Woolford talks about “Early Black Methodism.” Syl has spent a great deal of time making scholarly discoveries about African-American history on the Delmarva Peninsula. His investigations and popular lectures have included the United States Colored Troops, the Dover Eight, the Iron Hill Community Genealogy Project, and many more subjects.
Once a hint of spring arrives again in Cecil, it will be time to wrap up the series, but we are planning a particularly exciting theme to end a great run. The last event takes place in April as the Society brings you “Pass the Rum: the Rise and Fall of Temperance and Prohibition in Cecil County.” Following the fun-filled discussion guests are invited to attend the First Annual Bootlegger’s Ball. You will have to stay tuned for details as our Bootlegger’s Ball sponsor, Beth Boulden-Moore, lines things up for our guests.
Be sure to watch for detailed announcements each month as these exciting presentations roll around and stay up-to-date with the latest news on the Society’s History blog at www.cecilhistory.org/blog. There you will find up-to-the-minute information, including weather cancellations.
The volunteers at Cecil County’s History and Genealogy Library are excited about the engaging free humanities programs of county-wide interest that we have lined up for our popular series. Be sure to hold the first Saturday of each month on your calendar for these new events.
Winter Speaker’s Series
2:00 p.m. – First Saturday of Each Month
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Oct. 5, 2013 — “Elkton in the 1960s” by Milford Sprecher
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Nov. 2, 2013 — Annual Meeting, Rev. Brown & Libby Prison Minstrels at the Cherry Hill United Methodist Church. Note: Because this is the annual meeting date, the Society will not be hosting a first Saturday talk.
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Dec. 7, 2013 — The Philadelphia Campaign in the Revolution War: A Cartographer’s perspective Using Historical and Temporal GIS Mapping to animate the story; by Sean Moir
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Jan 4, 2014 — Reconstructing 100 Ruins: How standard research resources and dumb luck are revealing the lost histories of abandoned properties within Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area Emily Kilby
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Feb. 1, 2014 — Early Black Methodism On Delmarva by Syl Woolford
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March 1, 2014 — Old House Research
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April 5, 2014 — Prohibition in Cecil County with the bootleggers ball to follow at the North St. Hotel. Program host Beth Boulden-Moore