FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2014 Robyn Truslow
410-535-0291
Local History at the Library
Calvert Library begins a collection of events with an emphasis on local black history by hosting presentation by Chris Haley’s talk Freedom through Flight with the Bayside History Museum at North Beach Town Hall at 2pm on Sunday, January 19, the eve of Martin Luther King Day. The opportunity to learn more continues throughout February. The focus is on longtime Southern Maryland African American families. Did you know that surnames like Parran, Parker, Jones, Somerville, Gross, Weems, Mackall, Hance, Gray, Gantt, Mason, Smith, and Dares date back in Calvert County black and white families for more than 200 years?
On Thursday, February 6, African American History and Culture Commissioner Michael Kent will discuss research options and offer tips for discovering family histories. Kent is an expert in local African American genealogy. Several websites, including Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest Online will be showcased. This event starts at 7:00pm and will run for 90 minutes at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick.
Thanks to funding from the Maryland Humanities Council and the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, on Saturday, February 8, the library will host Mike Dixon, social history professor and historian. At 2pm, he will present Stories of Everyday People in the War of 1812 which will include unpublished stories of slaves, African Americans and other everyday people unrepresented in the history books. Other local War of 1812 stories will be included in an exhibit titled, The Enemy at Our Door! The War of 1812 in Southern Maryland on display in the library lobby the month of February.
The exhibit was created through the efforts of a regional 1812 Committee with membership from the three counties – Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s – as well as the Southern Maryland Heritage Area and representatives from the Calvert Marine Museum, Sotterley Plantation and Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum. Funding came from the National Park Service’s Star Spangled Banner Trail for the exhibit, which was researched and written by Mr. Krimmel. The exhibit, which is built to travel and consists of two panels, front and back, is free and available for use by qualified sites desiring to take part in the year of events.
On Tuesday, February 25, at 7pm, come hear from some of the prominent black families of the county themselves as interviewed by Calvert County students. This promises to be a unique opportunity for studying our shared Living Local History. Family members we expect to hear from include Martha Foote Mackall, Francine Hutchins Clark, Ronald Clark, Shawn Harrod, Pamela Johnson, Michael Johnson and others. Also that evening, Professor Nellie Pharr-Maletta will share some historical context and background and sociologist Dr. Larry Hunt will explain the research he is conducting for All Saints Church. A Project to Reconcile our Past was initiated by a group of parishioners to research the role of slavery and the African American community in the history of All Saints. The goal of the project is to build a more understanding community in Southern Maryland.
Mr. Haley’s presentation will be held at the North Beach Town Hall. The rest of these events and exhibit will be held at Calvert Library Prince Frederick. For more information visit us at www.calvert.lib.md.us or call (410) 535-0291/(301) 855-1862.
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Robyn Truslow
Public Relations Coordinator
Calvert Library
850 Costley Way
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
410-535-0291
410-535-3022 Fax
rtruslow@somd.lib.md.us
