Feb. 16 -- Tillie Pierce, a 16-year old, tells about Battle of Gettysburg

The living history performance season concludes on February 16 when Matilda “Tillie” Pierce, a witness to the Battle of Gettysburg appears at the Society at 7:00 p.m. She was only 15 when she observed the battle first hand. Yet her writings of those dramatic three days made her famous, as she became known as the voice for the civilian side of this important Civil War Battle. Tillie is played by University of Delaware history major Abby Harting of Middletown, Delaware. Admission to this program is free.

Jan. 11 -- Thurgood Marshall to Appear at Society

On Friday, January 11 at 7:00 p.m., Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall walks on the stage at the Historical Society as our winter living history performance season continues. Dr. Lenneal Henderson, a distinguished Professor of Government at the University of Baltimore portrays Maryland’s famous civil rights advocate during this engaging program. The Justice became involved in cases to desegregate public schools in South Carolina which would become one of the five cases settled by the 1954 Supreme Court case of Brown v Board of Education. Marshall was eventually appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States. This free program is sponsored by the Maryland Humanities Council.

Season of Living History Contains President Truman, Justice Thurgood Marshall and Civil War Observer Tillie Pierce

The past will come back to life during a series of fascinating shows, as another season of living history performances returns to the Historical Society of Cecil County. Three times this season, costumed interpreters will reverse the clock as they take audiences back in time to hear an important figure from the nation’s past. During these lively and entertaining programs this season you will encounter President Harry Truman, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and Matilda "Tillie" Pierce, a 15-year-old at the time of the Battle of Gettysburg.

• On Saturday, November 3 at 7:00 p.m. the thirty-third President of the United States, Harry Truman, will walk on the stage at the Elkton Town Hall to dispense his Missouri straight talk in a one-man show called “Give ‘em, Hell Harry!” Of course, the real Truman died in 1972, but the nation’s leader will come alive on this special evening during a performance by Gerald Riley of Wheatfield Theatre Company. Ticket prices for the 1.5 performance are $8 for adults; $4 for children in school; and free for members of the Society. While walk-ups will be welcome based on available space, email the society at history@ccchistory.org or phone the organization at 410-398-1790 to reserve your space. The program has been moved to the town hall, which is located at 100 Railroad Avenue, Elkton, in order to accommodate a larger audience.
• On Friday, January 11 at 7:00 p.m., Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall walks on the stage at the Historical Society. Dr. Lenneal Henderson, a distinguished Professor of Government at the University of Baltimore portrays Maryland’s famous civil rights advocate during this engaging program. The Justice became involved in cases to desegregate public schools in South Carolina which would become one of the five cases settled by the 1954 Supreme Court case of Brown v Board of Education. Marshall was eventually appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States. This free program is sponsored by the Maryland Humanities Council.
• The season concludes on February 16 when Matilda “Tillie” Pierce, a witness to the Battle of Gettysburg appears at the Society at 7:00 p.m. She was only 15 when she observed the battle first hand. Yet her writings of those dramatic three days made her famous, as she became known as the voice for the civilian side of this important Civil War Battle. Tillie is played by University of Delaware history major Abby Harting of Middletown, Delaware. Admission to this program is free.
  
  For additional information email the society at history@cchistory.org and watch for additional press releases as dates approach on the Society’s web site at www.cchistory.org

Oct - 13 - Talk on the Railroad in northwestern Cecil County

The railroad once was an important transportation link for northwestern Cecil County. At depots in Rising Sun, Colora, Liberty Grove, Rowlandsville, and other places people came to hear the latest news, freight was handled, and passengers caught the train. The Historical Society of Cecil County, in cooperation with the Rising Sun library, will revisit this era in a discussion on Oct 13 at 1:00 p.m. at the library, which features photos, timetables, and other memorabilia. If you remember when the train rolled through these towns and villages, come and share your memories about this era.

Oct. 15 - Cathy Gholke to Speak at Dinner Meeting

The October Dinner Meeting of the Historical Society of Cecil County will be held on Monday, October 15, 2007 at 6:00 P.M. in the Minker Banquet Hall, 920 Principio Furnace Road, Perryville. Our guest speaker will be Cathy Gholke who recently published “William Henry is a Fine Name,” a book about the underground railroad in this region. Though this is the Elkton writer’s first novel, her material has been featured in nationally published books and magazines.

The cost of the dinner is $35.00 per person and you may select between Herb Stuffed Chicken or Crab Stuffed Flounder. Your meal will include a tossed garden salad, hot rolls, coffee, tea and dessert.

If you want to attend mail your check to Paula Newton, the Historical Society of Cecil county, 135 E. Main St., Elkton, MD 21921. Please make your check payable to the Historical Society of Cecil County. The deadline for reservations is October 6, 2007. This is a catered dinner making it impossible for us to take late reservations or walk-ins. If you have any questions, please call the Historical Society at 410-398-1790.

Oct. 13 - Haunted Elkton Walk

As shadows lengthen and an autumn darkness gets a good grip on Elkton, join Ed Okonowicz and Mike Dixon on an eerie one-hour journey into the town’s haunted past. Legends of the unusual and supernatural are combined with the fun and fascinating history of Elkton. On this walk you will hear about ghosts & ghouls, listen to tales about active haunting in buildings along the street, and hear about long forgotten legends and seldom discussed history.

The walk starts at 6:00 p.m. at the Historical Society, 135 E. Main Street, Elkton. For reservations e-mail history@cchistory.org or phone 410-398-1790.

Does the ghost still roam the old jail yard where hangings took place? To find out join us on this entertaining walk.

For details visit www.cchistory.org/ghosts.htm

Nov 3 - Harry Truman Performance

The thirty-third President of the United States, Harry Truman, will walk on the stage at the Elkton Town Hall on Saturday November 3 at 7:00 p.m. to dispense his Missouri straight talk in a one-man show called “Give ‘Em, Hell Harry!” Of course, the real Truman died in 1972, but the nation’s leader will come alive on this special evening during a performance by Gerald Riley of Wheatfield Theatre Company. Riley will portray scenes from the personal and political life of this great and unique American.

The compelling 1.5 hour play, which is being sponsored here by the Historical Society of Cecil County, was written by playwright Samuel Gallu. It reveals the extraordinary accomplishments of this self-proclaimed “ordinary man” who, as President, made some of the most crucial decisions in American history. Riley is a professional actor and a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the show has played on stages across the nation.

Ticket prices for the 1.5 performance are $8 for adults; $4 for children in school; and free for members of the Society. While walk-ups will be welcome based on available space, email the society at history@ccchistory.org or phone the organization at 410-398-1790 to reserve your space. The program has been moved to the town hall, which is located at 100 Railroad Avenue, Elkton, in order to accommodate a larger audience.

Sept. 15 - Book Signing

On Saturday, Sept.15, from 11 a.m. to 1p.m., the Historical Society of Cecil County will host will host three authors for the signing of local titles in the Arcadia Publishing “Images of America” series. These latest titles, focusing on Cecil County and Aberdeen Proving Ground, are outstanding photographic history books.

Maritime Cecil County by Christopher Knauss features 200 vintage images that illustrate the history of the county’s waterways and the culture that has grown upon its shores. Knauss is the editor of the Mariner magazine, a part of Chesapeake Publishing Group. United States Naval Training Center Bainbridge by Erika Quesenbery chronicles Bainbridge’s history in photographs. Bill Bates of Harford County has published five titles for Arcadia and he will be on hand to sign Aberdeen Proving Ground. His latest volume provides readers with an unprecedented look behind the gate of APG.

All three authors will be on hand to sign copies of their titles and discuss their work. The titles list for $19.95 and there is a discount for members of the organization. The Society is located at 135 E. Main Street in Elkton. For additional information visit the Society’s web site at http://www.cchistory.org/ or email the organization at history@cchistory.org

Sept 8 - Book Signing for Haunted Maryland

On Saturday, Sept. 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Society will host the first book signing and public event associated with the release of Haunted Maryland: Ghosts and Strange Phenomena of the Old Line State, by local author Ed Okonowicz. This latest volume of regional folklore by the award-winning author and folklorist was released in August by Stackpole Books of Mechanicsburg, PA., and it includes legends, superstitions, history and strange tales associated with Maryland’s historic heritage. Since before the Revolution, through the Civil War era and into modern times, Maryland has been the historic center of the nation.In this informative and entertaining book, learn about the famous people and other Old Line State residents with eerie tales to tell.

According to Okonowicz, “A number of local, Cecil County stories, are included in the new book, but every county of the state is represented. I’m sure readers will find a wealth of fascinating lore associated with the state’s significant historical heritage and, once again, the link between legends and history is apparent in nearly every entertaining and eerie tale.”His new book, Annapolis GHOSTS: History, Mystery, Legends and Lore, also will be on sale and be part of the discussion.Ed will present a talk at 11 a.m. about the research he conducted and his experiences writing the book. After that, he will be available to sign copies of the book, which are being offered as a fundraiser through the HSCC. Haunted Maryland lists for $9.95 and Annapolis Ghosts for $11.95. There is a discount for members.

Sept 8 - Victorian Tea Canceled

The Victorian Tea on September 8th is canceled.

Aug. 22 - KI Lecture Cancelled

The lecture on canning on Delmarva is cancelled for Wednesday, August 22. All others continue as planned.

KI Lecture Series Kicks Off

You won’t want to miss upcoming talks in this KI series, which all take place at 7:00 p.m. on the designated date at the Society, 135 E. Main Street, Elkton.

• Wednesday Aug 22 at 7:00 p.m. Ed Kee presents a lecture on "Saving Our Harvest," the story of the Mid-Atlantic's canning and freezing industry
• Monday, August 27 -- 'Building Houses out of Chicken Legs – Black Women, Food & Power” is the subject by Dr. Psyche Williams Forson. Using a receipe of scholarly analysis, personal interviews, film advertisments, cookbooks and literature, Williams-Forsythe examines the role of the chicken in African American Life, paying special attention to the connection between chickens and African-American Women. From slavery to the present, families have been fed with chickens raised by these women, who have made their livings cooking and serving in houses, resturants, on the roadside, at the harbor and in churches.
  Wednesday, Sept. 5 -- Dr. Cooper returns for a talk on the "The Delmarva Peach Industry."
• Wednesday, Sept. 12 -- A talk on Growing Heirloom Vegetables by Heather Morrisey, a history and how to guide for growing heirloom vegetables.
  Key Ingredients: America by Food, has been made possible by the Maryland Humanities Council.

For a full schedule of events for the remainder of the exhibit, which runs through September 22, visit our web page at http://www.cchistory.org/news/ingredeints.htm.

Key Ingredients is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and the Federation of State Humanities Councils. These lectures are also underwitten by a grant from the Maryland Humanities Council.