 It's not
everyday a community celebrates three and a half centuries of history.
Calvert County will be 350 years old in July and instead of just
throwing a one-day party, organizers decided to create a yearlong
celebration. Through seahorses, parades, festivals, reenactments and
historical documentaries, the smallest county in Maryland is celebrating
its heritage and history.
Calvert County, Maryland was the first established county in the English
Settlement in the New World. Bordered by the Patuxent River on the West
and the Chesapeake Bay on the East, this peninsula shaped like a hot
pepper was first named Patuxent County by Cecilius Calvert, the second
Lord Baltimore, and governed by his brother Leonard Calvert. It would
later be renamed Calvert County, after its founding brothers.
But Calvert County had rich history long before John Smith and the first
English explorers set foot on the Western Shore of the Chesapeake Bay.
The region dates back millions of years when giant sharks known as
megalodons roamed the shallow waters that once engulfed the area. During
the Miocene era, 5 to 20 million years ago, the region was completely
underwater, part of the vast Atlantic Ocean. As the waters receded, high
cliffs formed and encapsulated the teeth and bones of ancient creatures,
leaving behind fossilized remains that today make Calvert Cliffs one of
the best places to fossil hunt on the entire East Coast.
Flash forward to the 1600s when the first recorded history of what is
now Calvert County is documented through the log of Captain John Smith.
Settlers came to this land seeking religious tolerance and opportunity.
What they found was a fertile land ripe for planting. With the help of
the local indigenous people, the Patuxents of the Algonquin Nation, the
English settlers learned to plant corn and grain to sustain themselves.
Perhaps the greatest gift the Patuxents gave to the settlers was how to
grow tobacco. A half-century before, tobacco was introduced to the
English and became a much sought after pleasure that was difficult to
grow in the cold wet climate of Great Britain. With demand for tobacco
high, it became the basis for the first Calvert economy. Using slave
labor, landowners cleared the heavily wooded areas to grow the cash
crop. The tobacco leaf stands as one of the most important elements in
Calvert history and is still prominently displayed on the county flag.
Shipping and the waterways were much like today's highways for early
Calvert County residents. As the population grew on the tiny peninsula,
the seafood and shipbuilding industry thrived. Farmers and waterman
worked the land and waters of Calvert, helping to sustain a growing
community.
The rural county has evolved over the years and where tobacco was once
grown, new homes rise making Calvert one of the second fastest growing
counties in Maryland. With a growing population, the story of Calvert
County is the story of America. The balance of growth and environmental
resources being today's challenge.
Finding the best way to celebrate Calvert's diverse history fell on a
small committee of community leaders.
"Two and a half years ago we sat down with a group of 12-15 people and
came up with a list of an awful lot of things we wanted to do for the
350th," said Herman Schieke, Tourism Specialist with the Calvert County
Department of Economic Development. "From the beginning group and with
wonderful volunteer support, we were able to coordinate a fabulous
calendar of events celebrating the Anniversary."
The "Seahorses by the Bay" project sponsored by Annmarie Garden and the
Calvert Marine Museum has been one of the most recognized projects
commemorating Calvert's 350th. Calvert's youngest residents helped
decorate six-foot fiberglass seahorses through their local schools. The
twenty-five giant seahorses went on public display in locations
throughout the county in the spring. They will be on display throughout
September showcasing the creativity of Calvert County's children while
educating the community on the life of seahorses.
Another fun activity will occur on July 13th when a 350th Anniversary
time capsule will be sealed and buried at the courthouse in Prince
Frederick.
"The time capsule will include photographs, brochures, air and water
samples, and proclamations," said Jenny Plummer-Welker of the Calvert
County Planning and Zoning Department. "It's sort of like a snapshot of
how Calvert County is now, not an archive but a reflection of who we are
now."
Maryland Public Television produced a documentary on Calvert County,
taking an entire year to compile a tribute to the oldest county in
America. The program will run periodically throughout the year on MPT.
Tapes can be borrowed for home viewing through the local libraries.
Discover and Then and Now, two commemorative booklets are also available
as 350th keepsakes through the Calvert County Department of Economic
Development.
Calvert County's 350th Anniversary Celebration Events
July 13, 10:00am
Time Capsule Burial Ceremony
Calvert County Courthouse,
Prince Frederick. (410) 535-4583.
July 18, 1:00 to 5:00pm
Calvert's Farm Tour and
Produce Sale
Visit a working farm and get a closer look at Calvert County's
agricultural history. (410) 535-4583.
August 14, 10:00am
"Calvert History Comes to Life" Speaker Series
Calvert Country Market, Prince Frederick.
John A. Prouty and John C. Prouty on "Growing up in Calvert County: Two
Generations."
(410) 535-0291 or (301) 855-1862.
August 28, 10:30am - 6:30pm
Calvert County Jousting Tournament
Grounds of Christ Church, 3100 Broomes Island Road,
Port Republic. Country supper, bazaar, and music.
(410) 586-0565.
September 14, 7:00pm
"Calvert History Comes to Life" Speaker Series
Calvert Library, Prince Frederick.
Andy Brown on "Wildlife in Calvert County: Past & Present."
(410) 535-0291 or (301) 855-1862.
September 25 & 26, 10:00am to 5:00pm
War of 1812 Reenactment
Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, St. Leonard.
"Pride of Baltimore II" open for tours.
(410) 586-8502. ($)
October 2, 11:00am to 7:00pm
Rock 'N' The Bay Festival
Kellam Field, Chesapeake Beach.
Seafood festival and local music featuring Deanna Bogart. (410) 535-2577
or (301) 855-1930. ($)
October 3, 12:00 to 3:00pm
Fall Family Fun Day
Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum, Chesapeake Beach. Children's games and
activities.
(410) 257-3892.
October 7, 7:00pm
"Calvert History Comes to Life" Speaker Series
Fairview Branch, Calvert Library, Owings.
Wes Stone on "Walk through Calvert in the 1690s with George Fox, the
Founder of Quakerism."
(410) 535-0291 or (301) 855-1862.
October 30 through November 7, 11:00am to 5:00pm daily
Seahorses by the Bay: A Silent Auction of Seahorse-Inspired Works of
Art
Annmarie Garden, Dowell. Last chance to see all 25 seahorses before they
go up for auction in November. Seahorse inspired works up for silent
auction to benefit children's arts programs in Calvert County.
(410) 326-4640.
www.annmariegarden.org for details
November 4, 7:00pm
"Calvert History Comes to Life" Speaker Series
Flag Ponds Nature Park, Lusby.
Tom Wisner on "Songs and Folk Tales of the Calvert County Wilds."
(410) 535-0291 or (301) 855-1862.
December 7, 7:00pm
"Calvert History Comes to Life" Speaker Series
Calvert Library, Prince Frederick.
Russell Costley, Jim Hook and Cheryl Johnson on "Education in Calvert
County."
(410) 535-0291 or (301) 855-1862.
Adapted from www.calvert350.com |
