November 30, 2009
Society Announces Closing for Holidays - Dec. 22 Through Jan. 3
The Society is closed from Dec. 22 through Jan. 3. Our last day before the holiday closure is Monday, Dec., 21 and we reopen the library on Monday, January 4.
November 22, 2009
Society Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
Just a reminder that the Society will not be open this Thursday or over the weekend so our volunteers may enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday with their families. We'll reopen as normal on Monday.
September 25, 2009
Book Talk & Signing on Oct. 4 Explores Local Connection Between football, the Navy & War on Oct. 4
Wilbur D. Jones, Jr., the author of “Football! Navy! War! How Military ‘Lend-Lease’ Players Saved the College Game and Helped Win World War II“ will speak about his new title and sign books at the Historical Society of Cecil County on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 1:00 p.m. While highlighting the Navy’s role in preserving the game and football’s impact on national morale and the war effort during the 1940s, it has a significant local angle. One of the star players, “Choo-Choo” Charlie Justice trained at the Bainbridge Naval Training Center.
During World War II, the U. S. military and colleges joined forces, fielding competitive teams to prepare men for combat. The book highlights the Department of the Navy's role in preserving the game and football's impact on national morale and the war effort through their "Lend-Lease" to colleges of officer candidates, including All-America and professional players. It describes wartime college and military football.
From a local perspective, the book features details about the powerful Bainbridge Naval Training Center teams of 1943-45, whom Jones rates as the No. 1 military wartime team. State Bainbridge opened in 1942 as a boot camp and advanced training station, and closed in early 1970's. The center was located at the Jacob Tome Institute at Port Deposit. This is a major previously unpublished work on the history of Cecil County and region during WWII.
“Exciting military games were a diversion from war’s horrors and sacrifices, and they helped boost bond sales and home front morale for civilians and the military,” Jones writes. His book covers such games as Great Lakes Navy’s final-minute 19-14 upset over perennial power Notre Dame in 1943 (though the Irish won the national championship anyway). Featured in previously unpublished detail is the sport’s wartime star, teenaged halfback Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice, a kid among the All-Americas and NFL players at Bainbridge Navy and a postwar superstar at North Carolina.
During World War II, the U. S. military and colleges joined forces, fielding competitive teams to prepare men for combat. The book highlights the Department of the Navy's role in preserving the game and football's impact on national morale and the war effort through their "Lend-Lease" to colleges of officer candidates, including All-America and professional players. It describes wartime college and military football.
From a local perspective, the book features details about the powerful Bainbridge Naval Training Center teams of 1943-45, whom Jones rates as the No. 1 military wartime team. State Bainbridge opened in 1942 as a boot camp and advanced training station, and closed in early 1970's. The center was located at the Jacob Tome Institute at Port Deposit. This is a major previously unpublished work on the history of Cecil County and region during WWII.
“Exciting military games were a diversion from war’s horrors and sacrifices, and they helped boost bond sales and home front morale for civilians and the military,” Jones writes. His book covers such games as Great Lakes Navy’s final-minute 19-14 upset over perennial power Notre Dame in 1943 (though the Irish won the national championship anyway). Featured in previously unpublished detail is the sport’s wartime star, teenaged halfback Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice, a kid among the All-Americas and NFL players at Bainbridge Navy and a postwar superstar at North Carolina.
Admiral James L. Holloway III (Ret).., 20th Chief of Naval Operaitons and Chairman Emeritus of the Naval Historical Foundation said Football! Navy! War! “is an untold story about the relationship of America's great game with the armed forces - especially the United States Navy - during this struggle against the Axis powers. As one who fought alongside many of the outstanding athletes that Wilbur Jones portrayed, I can testify how the smash-mouth tactics of the gridiron were applied in the waters and archipelagoes of the Western Pacific. The book is a must-have for any patriot and fan of the sport."
Don Jenkins of Sports Illustrated said: "I've been waiting for somebody to do this book and preserve these treasured college football memories, and now Wilbur Jones has done it - and done splendidly."
The author, Wilbur D. Jones, is a retired Navy captain with four decades of service. He spent several days in Cecil County working on this project. This free program takes places at the Society’s headquarters at 135 E. Main Street in downtown Elkton. Light refreshments will be served.
August 12, 2009
Haunted Eastern Shore Subject of Oct. Meeting
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF CECIL COUNTY
ANNUAL DINNER MEETING
OCTOBER 19, 2009
6:00 P.M.
CHESAPEAKE INN BANQUET ROOM
GUEST SPEAKER – MINDIE BURGOYNE
“HAUNTED EASTERN SHORE: GHOSTLY TALES FROM EAST OF THE CHESAPEAKE”
MUSIC BY BOXTURTLE BOB
The October Dinner Meeting of the Historical Society of Cecil County will be held on Monday, October 19, 2009 at 6:00 P.M. at the Chesapeake Inn Banquet Room, 605 2nd Street, Chesapeake City. Please enter through the Ballroom entrance which is to the right of the restaurant entrance. Please inquire with the valet if you need to use the elevator. There is limited parking so carpooling is suggested.
Our guest speaker will be Mindie Burgoyne who has recently published the book “Haunted Eastern Shore: Ghostly Tales from East of the Chesapeake” Mindie is a native Marylander who currently lives on the Eastern Shore and works for the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development. There will be copies of her book for sale at the dinner meeting.
The cost of the dinner is $23.00 per person for members and $25.00 per person for non-members. You may select between Crab Cake or Chicken Marsala. Your meal will include salad, coffee or tea and dessert.
Please send your reservation to the Society with your check, to Paula Newton, HSCC, 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 9, 2009. 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.
Be sure to list the name of the attendees and their meal selection.
February 28, 2009
The Past Comes Alive at the Society on March 28 With Mary Pickersgill The Flag Lady
The past will come back to life during a fascinating living history performance at the Society on March 28 at 7:00 p.m. For this theatrical, living history presentation, University of Delaware History major, Abby Harding, returns for another popular performance. Abby was last with us in Feb 2008 when she played to a packed house, appearing as Tillie Pierce a young witnessed to the battle of Gettysburg.
This year she performs as Mary Pickersgill, the well known 19Th century flag maker. While she was especially known for her ship’s flags, during the War of 1812 she was selected to make a huge high-flying flag for Fort McHenry. The commander, General Armistead, knew that this would help raise the spirits of Baltimoreans during the British attack on the city for Fort McHenry.
You don’t want to miss her performance and interpretation of Mary Pickersgill for this year’s living history show. This is a free program.
Click here to go to the program brochure
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