(April 29, 2011) – Oh, say can you see…. Maryland’s bi-centennial commemoration of the War of 1812 making its way to the Upper Bay Region? A website www.upperbay1812.com has been developed to share the history, notable people and places of the War of 1812 Upper Bay or Chesapeake Campaign.
A steering committee of stakeholders from both Harford and Cecil Counties is working to capitalize on the events that occurred in the region during the Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812. Maryland’s 200 year anniversary of the War presents opportunities to promote and improve the visitor experience in the Upper Bay region. Sites such as The Concord Point Lighthouse, Principio, Elk Landing, and Rodgers Tavern will help connect visitors to this National story and how it relates to the Upper Bay.
The two-county Steering Committee is being led by the Tourism Directors of Cecil and Harford Counties, Sandy Maruchi-Turner and Wini Roche respectively. Partners include the towns of Perryville, Port Deposit, North East, Charlestown, Earleville, Havre de Grace, the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway, Aberdeen Proving Ground and numerous historical sites around the region. While the most significant events actually took place here during 1813 such as the burning of Havre de Grace, the State’s bi-centennial is a multi-year cultural tourism and educational initiative to commemorate Maryland’s unique contributions to the defense and heritage of the nation, including the pivotal clash that ensured American victory, an iconic flag and our national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner. For more information visit: www.starspangled200.org.
Current events are also being promoted on the Upper Bay 1812 website including the Re-enactment in Havre de Grace of the Attack of the British coming up on May 7 & 8. Future plans for the website include a site map and pod cast trail of sites of interest in the Upper Bay region.