USCT Exhibit: With Valor and Honor
2025-09-27 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-10-01 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
“With Valor and Honor:
Talbot County’s United States Colored Troops During the Civil War”
The exhibit With Valor and Honor tells the powerful story of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) from Talbot County, Maryland, who served in the Civil War following the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863. This historic order allowed both free and enslaved Black men to join the Union Army and Navy. Enslaved men were manumitted by their owners for a $300 federal fee to serve as USCT soldiers.
Of the 180,000 Black men who served, 8,718 were from Maryland—and over 600 were from Talbot County alone. Their enlistment was significantly influenced by Frederick Douglass, a fugitive slave from Talbot County, who successfully advocated for Black participation in the war. These men fought with extraordinary courage, often engaging in battles against Confederate forces that included former enslavers. Their service was not only a fight for the Union but also a battle for freedom—for themselves and future generations. Following the war, many of these veterans helped shape a new future by acquiring land, establishing Black communities, churches, and schools. Some had previously lived in Talbot County’s historic free Black neighborhood, “The Hill,” and had glimpses of freedom before the war. The most celebrated post-war community was Unionville, founded by 18 USCT veterans from Talbot County, symbolizing their commitment to securing civil rights and equality.

With Valor and Honor shines light on their sacrifices and contributions, bringing long-overdue recognition to the local men whose courage and perseverance helped reshape American history.

The exhibit and the broader project were made possible through collaboration with a wide range of community members and organizations, including the descendants of Talbot’s USCT veterans and the historic African American village of Unionville, one of many towns founded by formerly enslaved soldiers. Veteran support organizations such as American Legion Post 77, and the 3rd Regiment USCT Re-enactors of Philadelphia also played key roles in its development. We want to thank VFW Post 5118, Maryland 250 Commission and Delmarva Power Exelon for their critical financial support. The Historical Society also expresses deep gratitude to Dr. Clara Small, one of Maryland’s foremost scholars on African American history, for her guidance and insight.

“With Valor and Honor” is now open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 10am-3pm. The museum is located at 25 S. Washington Street, Easton, Maryland. All are invited to visit and learn more about this proud, powerful and often overlooked chapter of American history. Please call 410-822-0773 for additional information.

USCT Exhibit: With Valor and Honor
2025-10-02 10:00 - 15:00
“With Valor and Honor:
Talbot County’s United States Colored Troops During the Civil War”
The exhibit With Valor and Honor tells the powerful story of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) from Talbot County, Maryland, who served in the Civil War following the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863. This historic order allowed both free and enslaved Black men to join the Union Army and Navy. Enslaved men were manumitted by their owners for a $300 federal fee to serve as USCT soldiers.
Of the 180,000 Black men who served, 8,718 were from Maryland—and over 600 were from Talbot County alone. Their enlistment was significantly influenced by Frederick Douglass, a fugitive slave from Talbot County, who successfully advocated for Black participation in the war.
These men fought with extraordinary courage, often engaging in battles against Confederate forces that included former enslavers. Their service was not only a fight for the Union but also a battle for freedom—for themselves and future generations.
Following the war, many of these veterans helped shape a new future by acquiring land, establish Black communities, churches, and schools. Some had previously lived in Talbot County’s historic free Black neighborhood, “The Hill,” and had glimpses of freedom before the war. The most celebrated post-war community was Unionville, founded by 18 USCT veterans from Talbot County, symbolizing their commitment to securing civil rights and equality.
With Valor and Honor shines light on their sacrifices and contributions, bringing long-overdue recognition to the local men whose courage and perseverance helped reshape American history.
The exhibit and the broader project were made possible through collaboration with a wide range of community members and organizations, including the descendants of Talbot’s USCT veterans and the historic African American village of Unionville, one of many towns founded by formerly enslaved soldiers. Veteran support organizations such as American Legion Post 77, and the 3rd Regiment USCT Re-enactors of Philadelphia also played key roles in its development. We want to thank VFW Post 5118, Maryland 250 Commission, Maryland Heritage Area Authority, William Roberts Family Foundation and Delmarva Power Exelon for their critical financial support. The Historical Society also expresses deep gratitude to Dr. Clara Small, one of Maryland’s foremost scholars on African American history, for her guidance and insight.
“With Valor and Honor” is now open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 10am-3pm. The museum is located at 25 S. Washington Street, Easton, Maryland. All are invited to visit and learn more about this proud, powerful and often overlooked chapter of American history. Please call 410-822-0773 for additional information.

For More information on the “With Valor and Honor” exhibit, click here.

Historic Walking Tours
2025-10-18 11:00 - 13:00
Historic Walking Tours
Saturday October 18th, 2025
11am and 12pm at 25 S. Washington St.
Join us for an hour-long historic walking tour of beautiful downtown Easton. Do you recognize any of these buildings? How many times have fires spread throughout downtown Easton in the past? These questions and many more will be answered through wonderfully enriching stories about Easton’s past.
First tour: Starts at 11am
Second tour: Starts at 12pm
FREE TO THE PUBLIC
The tour guide will take you to various buildings within the historic district of downtown and explain the importance of the buildings in Easton’s history.
ALL TOURS MEET AT
25 S. Washington Street
Easton, MD 21601.
(the Lawrence Denton Extended Museum and Catherine Valliant Hill Research Center)
There are 10 spots available.
Please contact us for reservations
or if you have any questions:
410-822-0773 or email kaylaw@talbothistory.org
Talbot Historical Society office/research/exhibit hours are:
Wednesday through Saturday 10am-3pm

The Day Freedom Came: A Living History of Nathaniel Hopkins - in Trappe
2025-11-01 14:00 - 15:00
Uncle Nace: The Day Freedom Came
A Living History of Nathaniel Hopkins
November 1st 2:00 PM – Scotts United Methodist Church in Trappe
November 3rd 5:30 PM – Oxford Community Center
Born enslaved, Nathaniel “Uncle Nace” Hopkins carried the scars of bondage but refused to let them define him. During the Civil War, Uncle Nace enlisted with the United States Colored Troops, fighting for a freedom he had yet to taste fully for himself. Sent home sick and weary, he returned to Trappe determined to build a new life as a free man not just for himself, but for his entire community. Uncle Nace set to work building free black schools, a church, roads and establishing communities here in Talbot County and is responsible for the creation of Maryland’s first Emancipation Day Celebration in 1867 – one of our nation’s earliest and the longest-running celebrations of its kind.
As the first parades marched through dusty streets of Trappe, Uncle Nace became more than a soldier—he became a leader, teacher, and living reminder that freedom must be celebrated, protected, and passed on.
Through Uncle Nace’s eyes, the Talbot Historical Society and the descendants of Nathaniel “Uncle Nace” Hopkins, in conjunction with professional actor Darius Wallace, will bring Nathaniel “Uncle Nace” Hopkins to life to portray his journeys from the fields of slavery to the drums of war, to his triumphant creation of Maryland’s first Emancipation Day Celebration in 1867 – which continues to this day.
Saturday November 1st, Trappe’s “Nace’s Day” Schedule of Events:
10:00 am – Service at Scotts United Methodist (UM) Church – 3748 Main Street, Trappe
– Nathaniel “Uncle Nace” Hopkins Gravesite Visit, Prayer and Benediction
11:30 am – Library Dedication at Nathaniel “Uncle Nace” Hopkins Park
12:00 pm – Food, Vendors and Activities at Scotts UM Church Grounds
1:00 pm – Parade – Main Street, Trappe
2:00 pm – Theatrical Performance: “Uncle Nace: The Day Freedom Came”- Scotts UM Church
Monday November 3rd – Theatrical Performance – Oxford
5:30 pm – “Uncle Nace: The Day Freedom Came” – The Oxford Community
Center, 200 Oxford Rd, Oxford Maryland – Please RSVP at www.oxfordcc.org
Thank you to these generous Sponsors

The Day Freedom Came: A Living History of Nathaniel Hopkins - in Oxford
2025-11-03 17:30 - 18:30

Historic Walking Tours
2025-11-08 11:00 - 13:00
These are the last walking tours for this year. We will begin walking tours again in the spring of 2026.
Historic Walking Tours
Saturday November 8th, 2025
11am and 12pm at 25 S. Washington St.
Join us for an hour-long historic walking tour of beautiful downtown Easton. Do you recognize any of these buildings? How many times have fires spread throughout downtown Easton in the past? These questions and many more will be answered through wonderfully enriching stories about Easton’s past.
First tour: Starts at 11am
Second tour: Starts at 12pm
FREE TO THE PUBLIC
The tour guide will take you to various buildings within the historic district of downtown and explain the importance of the buildings in Easton’s history.
ALL TOURS MEET AT
25 S. Washington Street
Easton, MD 21601.
(the Lawrence Denton Extended Museum and Catherine Valliant Hill Research Center)
There are 10 spots available.
Please contact us for reservations
or if you have any questions:
410-822-0773 or email kaylaw@talbothistory.org
Talbot Historical Society office/research/exhibit hours are:
Wednesday through Saturday 10am-3pm

A Date With History: Doc, I Need a Drink! with Ronald Lesher
2025-11-18 13:00 - 14:00
“Doc, I Need a Drink”
with Ronald Lesher, Ed.D.
Tuesday, November 18 at 1:00pm at the Talbot County Free Library
National Prohibition began in mid-January, 1920 and lasted until the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment on December 5, 1933. During that period of time one could obtain a prescription from a physician for medicinal alcohol. It was also a period when there were many bootleggers and moonshiners supplying illegal intoxicating beverages to the public.
We will explore some of the artifacts of the Prohibition Era: prescriptions and bottle seals that were used to regulate medicinal alcohol and counterfeits of the same to evade the legal requirements imposed by the federal government. The presentation will conclude with a prescription filled for spiritus frumenty (whiskey) in the 1920’s at the Jackson Pharmacy on Tilghman Island.
Ron Lesher has been a lifelong collector and researcher of tax stamps, especially for distilled spirits beginning in the 1790’s and the receipts for the internal revenue tax on distilled spirits that brought on the Whiskey Rebellion.
This is presented by the Talbot Historical Society in partnership with the Talbot County Free Library and will take place at the library located at 100 W. Dover St., Easton, MD 21601.
The lecture will be presented on November 18, 2025 at 1:00pm at the Talbot County Free Library. The lecture is free to the public, but reservations are requested. If you have any questions or would like to make a reservation: 410-822-0773 or email kaylaw@talbothistory.org
Talbot Historical Society office/research/exhibit hours are: Wednesday through Saturday 10am-3pm

A Date With History: When Claiborne Bridged the Chesapeake with Marty Bollinger
2026-01-20 13:00 - 14:00
“When Claiborne Bridged the Chesapeake”
with Marty Bollinger
Tuesday, January 20 at 1:00pm at the Talbot County Free Library

This is the story of Claiborne’s long-lost role over four decades as the major transportation hub across the Chesapeake, connecting Western and Eastern Shores, initially via steamer and railroad, and later by car ferry. Marty’s research provides a window into the broader history of the Maryland region during

periods of tumult and change, from the Civil War to the Cold War. It illuminates the impact of the era of steam, the influence of railroads, the power of monopolies, the impact of politics, and the consequences of technical disruptions — all on how people and products were conveyed across the Chesapeake Bay. The broader story,

told through the experiences of the small village of Claiborne, encompasses failure alongside perseverance and success. The legacy of those days remains visible today, and Claiborne itself bears witness to it. Marty Bollinger is a retired management consultant working in aerospace, defense and maritime industries. He has written extensively on the naval and maritime history over the past two decades. “When Claiborne Bridged the Chesapeake: The Rise and of the Ferry Era” (2025 by Maryland Center for History and Culture) is his fourth book in this field. He serves on the board of directors of the Talbot Historical Society and is a Trustee of the Naval Institute Foundation. He lives in Claiborne.
This is presented by the Talbot Historical Society in partnership

with the Talbot County Free Library and will take place at the

library located at 100 W. Dover St., Easton, MD 21601.

The lecture will be presented on January 20, 2026 at 1:00pm at the Talbot County Free Library.
The lecture is free to the public, but reservations are requested.

If you have any questions or would like to make a reservation:

Leave a message at 410-822-0773 or email kaylaw@talbothistory.org

Talbot Historical Society office/research/exhibit hours are:

Wednesday through Saturday 10am-3pm

A Date With History: When Claiborne Bridged the Chesapeake with Marty Bollinger
2026-01-20 13:00 - 14:00
“When Claiborne Bridged the Chesapeake” with Marty Bollinger
Wednesday, May 20 at 1:00pm at the Talbot County Free Library
Back by popular demand.
This lecture is the same as the one presented in January.
This is the story of Claiborne’s long-lost role over four decades as the major transportation hub across the Chesapeake, connecting Western and Eastern Shores, initially via steamer and railroad, and later by car ferry. Marty’s research provides a window into the broader history of the Maryland region during periods of tumult and change, from the Civil War to the Cold War. It illuminates the impact of the era of steam, the influence of railroads, the power of monopolies, the impact of politics, and the consequences of technical disruptions — all on how people and products were conveyed across the Chesapeake Bay. The broader story, told through the experiences of the small village of Claiborne, encompasses failure alongside perseverance and success. The legacy of those days remains visible today, and Claiborne itself bears witness to it.
Marty Bollinger is a retired management consultant working in aerospace, defense and maritime industries. He has written extensively on the naval and maritime history over the past two decades. When Claiborne Bridged the Chesapeake: The Rise and of the Ferry Era (2025 by Maryland Center for History and Culture) is his fourth book in this field. He serves on the board of directors of the Talbot Historical Society and is a Trustee of the Naval Institute Foundation. He lives in Claiborne.
This is presented by the Talbot Historical Society in partnership with the Talbot County Free Library and will take place at the library located at 100 W. Dover St., Easton, MD 21601. The lecture will be presented on May 20, 2026 at 1:00pm at the Talbot County Free Library
The lecture is free to the public. Please plan to arrive early, as seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Talbot Historical Society office/research/exhibit hours are:
Wednesday through Saturday 10am-3pm

A Date With History: USCT in Queen Anne's County: additional stories from the Eastern Shore with Chris Pupke
2026-02-04 13:00 - 14:00
“The United States Colored Troops from Queen Anne’s County:
Additional Stories of USCT from the Eastern Shore”
with Chris Pupke
Former President of the Queen Anne’s County Historical Society
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 1:00pm
at the Talbot County Free Library
The United States Colored Troops (USCT) are the free enslaved African Americans who fought for the Union Army during the Civil War. By the end of the war, USCT represented almost 10% of the Union Army. This presentation will focus on the USCT
from Queen Anne’s County. These individuals fought valiantly at the Battle of The Crater and Fort Gilmer among other battles. Their contributions helped win the war, preserve the Union and end slavery. And yet, for too long, their contributions have been forgotten or ignored. In this discussion, we will discuss the remarkable accomplishments of the 7th, 19th and 39th regiments of the USCT and meet some of the more than 435 USCT veterans who came from Queen Anne’s County.
Chris Pupke is a former President of the Queen Anne’s County Historical Society. He serves as a member of the Advisory Board at Kennard African American Heritage and Cultural Center where he offers lectures on African American history in Queen Anne’s
County through the Institute for Adult Learning. He has been researching the United States Colored Troops from Queen Anne’s County for a decade and is helping to establish a memorial in their honor at Kennard. Mr. Pupke is the Executive Director of the Biophilia Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving biodiversity.
This is presented by the Talbot Historical Society in partnership with the Talbot County Free Library and will take place at the library located at 100 W. Dover St., Easton, MD 21601.
The lecture will be presented on February 4, 2026 at 1:00pm at the Talbot County Free Library
The lecture is free to the public, but reservations are requested.
If you have any questions or would like to make a reservation:
410-822-0773 or email kaylaw@talbothistory.org
Talbot Historical Society office/research/exhibit hours are:
Wednesday through Saturday 10am-3pm

Native American Heritage and Artifact Day
2026-02-21 10:00 - 16:00
Native American Heritage and Artifact Day
Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 10:00a – 4:00p
at the Waterfowl Festival Building
FREE EVENT
The Talbot Historical Society is presenting a Native American Heritage & Artifact Day, held on February 21, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering families and individuals a rare opportunity to experience centuries-old Native American artifacts along with the living history of the Pocomoke Indian Nation through demonstrations, presentations, and cultural displays.
The Waterfowl Festival Building at 40 S. Harrison Street in Easton will be filled with remarkable local artifact collections, displayed alongside their owners and finders. The stone tools on view date from 500 to more than 10,000 years old, offering a powerful glimpse into the deep Native American history of the region. Many of the rarely seen Talbot County collections will be on display, including the most comprehensive collection spanning thousands of years and multiple cultures, making this event a unique opportunity to view these historic remnants up close.
Also featured will be “Pocomoke Indian Nation: History, Lifeways, and Resources within Their Homelands and Sphere of Influence”, featuring hands-on demonstrations by Tradition Bearers of the Pocomoke Indian Nation, Inc., including flint knapping, hide tanning using stone and bone tools, traditional turkey hunting techniques, a river cane flute, and cattail decoy displays.
At 1 p.m., Norris (Buddy) Howard Jr. will present an illustrated lecture, Pocomoke Indian Nation – Past, Present, Future, exploring the Nation’s history and continuing cultural traditions.
Additional highlights include historic maps, primary documents, the Nause-Waiwash Tribe with information about their history and community. and a special presentation, Eight Coates, Seven Shirts, Fifteen Fathom Wampum, by Drew Shuptar-Rayvis, citizen and cultural ambassador of the Pocomoke Indian Nation, educator, and advocate for living Indigenous history.
This free, family-friendly event, sponsored by the Talbot Historical Society, Talbot County Free Library, Waterfowl Festival and Talbot 250 and Mid-Shore Archaeology Club, is open to the public and suitable for all ages.
Talbot Historical Society office/research/exhibit hours are:
Wednesday through Saturday 10am-3pm

Nathaniel "Uncle Nace" Hopkins: The Day Freedom Came - FREE performance
2026-02-23 15:00 - 17:00
“Uncle Nace: The Day Freedom Came”: A Living History of Nathaniel “Uncle Nace” Hopkins
Starring Professional Actor Darius Wallace
UPDATE: Cancelled due to weather
Born enslaved, Nathaniel “Uncle Nace” Hopkins carried the scars of bondage but refused to let them define him. During the Civil War, “Uncle Nace” enlisted with the United States Colored Troops, fighting for a freedom he had yet to taste fully for himself. Sent home sick and weary, he returned to Trappe determined to build a new life as a free man not just for himself, but for his entire community. Nathaniel Hopkins set to work building a Church, free black schools, roads and communities here in Talbot County and is responsible for the creation of Maryland’s first Emancipation Day Celebration in 1867, one of our nation’s very first and the oldest that continues to be celebrated annually.

As the first parades marched through dusty streets of Trappe, Nathaniel Hopkins became more than a soldier; he became a leader, teacher, and living reminder that freedom must be celebrated, protected, and passed on.
Through his eyes, the Talbot Historical Society and the descendants of Nathaniel Hopkins, in conjunction with professional actor, Darius Wallace, will bring “Uncle Nace” to life to portray his journey from the fields of slavery to the drums of war, to his triumphant creation of Maryland’s first Emancipation Day Celebration in 1867.
Free Public Performance:
Monday, February 23rd at 3:00 pm – Chesapeake College, Cadby Theatre in the Kent Humanities Building (1000 College Circle, Wye Mills)

Nathaniel "Uncle Nace" Hopkins: The Day Freedom Came - FREE performance
2026-02-24 17:30 - 19:30
“Uncle Nace: The Day Freedom Came”: A Living History of Nathaniel “Uncle Nace” Hopkins
Starring Professional Actor Darius Wallace
UPDATE: Cancelled due to weather
Born enslaved, Nathaniel “Uncle Nace” Hopkins carried the scars of bondage but refused to let them define him. During the Civil War, “Uncle Nace” enlisted with the United States Colored Troops, fighting for a freedom he had yet to taste fully for himself. Sent home sick and weary, he returned to Trappe determined to build a new life as a free man not just for himself, but for his entire community. Nathaniel Hopkins set to work building a Church, free black schools, roads and communities here in Talbot County and is responsible for the creation of Maryland’s first Emancipation Day Celebration in 1867, one of our nation’s very first and the oldest that continues to be celebrated annually.

As the first parades marched through dusty streets of Trappe, Nathaniel Hopkins became more than a soldier; he became a leader, teacher, and living reminder that freedom must be celebrated, protected, and passed on.
Through his eyes, the Talbot Historical Society and the descendants of Nathaniel Hopkins, in conjunction with professional actor, Darius Wallace, will bring “Uncle Nace” to life to portray his journey from the fields of slavery to the drums of war, to his triumphant creation of Maryland’s first Emancipation Day Celebration in 1867.
Free Public Performance:
Tuesday, February 24th at 5:30 pm – South Dorchester High School (2475 Cambridge Beltway, Cambridge)

Nathaniel "Uncle Nace" Hopkins: The Day Freedom Came - FREE performance
2026-02-25 17:30 - 19:30
“Uncle Nace: The Day Freedom Came”: A Living History of Nathaniel “Uncle Nace” Hopkins
Starring Professional Actor Darius Wallace
Born enslaved, Nathaniel “Uncle Nace” Hopkins carried the scars of bondage but refused to let them define him. During the Civil War, “Uncle Nace” enlisted with the United States Colored Troops, fighting for a freedom he had yet to taste fully for himself. Sent home sick and weary, he returned to Trappe determined to build a new life as a free man not just for himself, but for his entire community. Nathaniel Hopkins set to work building a Church, free black schools, roads and communities here in Talbot County and is responsible for the creation of Maryland’s first Emancipation Day Celebration in 1867, one of our nation’s very first and the oldest that continues to be celebrated annually.

As the first parades marched through dusty streets of Trappe, Nathaniel Hopkins became more than a soldier; he became a leader, teacher, and living reminder that freedom must be celebrated, protected, and passed on.
Through his eyes, the Talbot Historical Society and the descendants of Nathaniel Hopkins, in conjunction with professional actor, Darius Wallace, will bring “Uncle Nace” to life to portray his journey from the fields of slavery to the drums of war, to his triumphant creation of Maryland’s first Emancipation Day Celebration in 1867.
Free Public Performance:
Wednesday, February 25th at 5:30 pm – Easton High School (723 Mecklenburg Avenue, Easton)

Nathaniel "Uncle Nace" Hopkins: The Day Freedom Came - FREE performance
2026-02-26 18:00 - 20:00
“Uncle Nace: The Day Freedom Came”: A Living History of Nathaniel “Uncle Nace” Hopkins
Starring Professional Actor Darius Wallace
Born enslaved, Nathaniel “Uncle Nace” Hopkins carried the scars of bondage but refused to let them define him. During the Civil War, “Uncle Nace” enlisted with the United States Colored Troops, fighting for a freedom he had yet to taste fully for himself. Sent home sick and weary, he returned to Trappe determined to build a new life as a free man not just for himself, but for his entire community. Nathaniel Hopkins set to work building a Church, free black schools, roads and communities here in Talbot County and is responsible for the creation of Maryland’s first Emancipation Day Celebration in 1867, one of our nation’s very first and the oldest that continues to be celebrated annually.

As the first parades marched through dusty streets of Trappe, Nathaniel Hopkins became more than a soldier; he became a leader, teacher, and living reminder that freedom must be celebrated, protected, and passed on.
Through his eyes, the Talbot Historical Society and the descendants of Nathaniel Hopkins, in conjunction with professional actor, Darius Wallace, will bring “Uncle Nace” to life to portray his journey from the fields of slavery to the drums of war, to his triumphant creation of Maryland’s first Emancipation Day Celebration in 1867.
Free Public Performance:
Thursday February 26th at 6:00 pm – Lockerman Middle School (410 Lockerman Street, Denton)

A Date With History: Historical Women of the Eastern Shore with Kathy Marconi
2026-03-24 13:00 - 14:00
“Historical Women of the Eastern Shore”
with Kathy Marconi
Tuesday, March 24 at 1:00pm at the Talbot County Free Library
In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Talbot Historical Society presents “Historical Women of the Eastern Shore” with Kathy Marconi. Most history books on Maryland’s eastern shore talk about the men who have shaped our communities. But many women also influenced the shore’s growth and development. This talk will cover some of these women’s life stories and accomplishments. For example, how much do you know about Anna Ella Carroll, a Civil War strategist for the Union? Or Clara Gumby, who lived at the same time in Salisbury and was a spy for the Confederates? As history buffs here know, in Talbot County, Mary Barlett Dixon and Elizabeth Wright Bartlett Dixon were moving forces behind the establishment of the Easton Hospital. In the early 1800s, the first female preacher of the A.M.E. (African Methodist Episcopal) Church spoke throughout the eastern shore. From the 1600s to the end of the 20th century, their accomplishments, along with those of other women, are astounding. Bring your own stories to this discussion of Historic Women of the Eastern Shore.
Kathy Marconi, PhD, MS, holds a doctorate in sociology and a master’s in health information management. Her career spanned local, state, national, and international public health, including the Pennsylvania Health Department and the US Departments of State and Health and Human Services. In federal service she worked on White House projects under Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush. Her work focused on evaluating chronic disease and HIV/AIDS programs. She taught at the University of Maryland Baltimore Graduate School and University of Maryland University College. A regular teacher at Chesapeake Forum, she and Mary Jordan developed a class on Historic Women of the Eastern Shore. Now retired, she lives in Oxford, Maryland, with her husband and has published extensively on health.
This is presented by the Talbot Historical Society in partnership with the Talbot County Free Library and will take place at the library located at 100 W. Dover St., Easton, MD 21601.
The lecture will be presented on March 24, 2026 at 1:00pm at the Talbot County Free Library
The lecture is free to the public, please plan to arrive early, as seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Talbot Historical Society office/research/exhibit hours are: Wednesday through Saturday 10am-3pm

A Date With History: "Music of the New Nation" with Ampersand celebrating 250th U.S. Anniversary
2026-04-17 13:00 - 14:00
“Music of the New Nation” with Ampersand
Dick Hogle, Beth Lawton, and Topher Lawton
Friday, April 17, 2026 at 1:00pm
at the Talbot County Free Library
Ampersand’s special Revolutionary War-era program, “Music of the New Nation” focuses on the experience of the home front and everyday people as they faced the battle for independence. Included are songs about the stirrings of revolution; the experiences of colonists in different walks of life; songs from soldiers on both sides of the conflict; a fiddle tune written by an enslaved person, and protest songs written at the time. This trio of musicians brings guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, hammered dulcimer, cello, and penny whistles to underscore rich vocal harmonies and great joy in sharing this traditional music with modern audiences.
www.ampersandmusic.org/ampersand250

This is presented by the Talbot Historical Society in partnership with the Talbot County Free Library and will take place at the library located at 100 W. Dover St., Easton, MD 21601. The lecture will be presented on April 17, 2026 at 1:00pm at the Talbot County Free Library The lecture is free to the public, seating is limited, so arriving early will help ensure a seat.
Talbot Historical Society office/research/exhibit hours are: Wednesday through Saturday 10am-3pm

A Date With History: Thy Will Be Done with John Marks
2026-04-21 13:00 - 14:00
Thy Will Be Done: George Washington’s Legacy of Slavery and the Fight for American Memory
with John Marks
Tuesday, April 21 at 1:00pm at the Talbot County Free Library
How should we remember George Washington’s involvement in slavery? Americans have argued over that question for nearly 250 years. More than any other “Founding Father,” Washington’s ties to slavery have vexed us. He enslaved more people than any of his fellow Founders, yet he was the only one of them to emancipate the people he held in bondage. Since his death, Americans have grappled with this contradiction, shaping and re-shaping our collective memory of Washington and slavery—along with our understanding of the nation. In this talk, historian and writer John Garrison Marks will draw on his book Thy Will Be Done: George Washington’s Legacy of Slavery and the Fight for American Memory to tell the story of how politicians, abolitionists, educators, activists, Washington’s former slaves and their descendants, and others have remembered, forgotten, and manipulated slavery’s place in Washington’s story over the past 250 years. Marks’s work reveals how generational struggles over our collective memory of Washington and slavery have always been part of a bigger conversation about defining America and its people—and continue to shape the nation’s public discourse.
Link to the book here: https://uncpress.org/9781469693521/thy-will-be-done/
John Garrison Marks is a historian and writer whose work has appeared in TIME, Washington Post, and Smithsonian Magazine. Previously the author of Black Freedom in the Age of Slavery, he earned his Ph.D. from Rice University. He currently serves as the Vice President of Research and Engagement with the American Association for State and Local History.
This is presented by the Talbot Historical Society in partnership with the Talbot County Free Library and will take place at the library located at 100 W. Dover St., Easton, MD 21601.
The lecture will be presented on April 21, 2026 at 1:00pm at the Talbot County Free Library. The lecture is free to the public, seating is limited, so arriving early will help ensure a seat.
Talbot Historical Society office/research/exhibit hours are:
Wednesday through Saturday 10am-3pm

A Date With History: Hamilton and Taxation in the 1790's
2026-05-05 13:00 - 14:00
“Hamilton and Taxation in the 1790’s” with Ronald Lesher, Ed. D.
Tuesday, May 5 at 1:00pm at the Talbot County Free Library
Federalist Paper No. 12 suggested that the federal government should be funded through import duties. Yet by 1791 Congress at the urging of Alexander Hamilton had enacted a tax on domestically distilled spirits, which led to the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794. That is what we learned in high school history.
However, those tax rates were reduced in 1792. But did we learn about the annual license on retailers of foreign distilled spirits or the annual license for retailers of wine enacted in 1794? Or did learn about the annual tax on carriages for the conveyance of people? Or the taxes various kinds of financial transactions, such as promissory notes?
Let’s learn the truth about federal taxation in the 1790’s that were all abolished in 1802 under the Presidency of Thomas Jefferson.
Ron Lesher has been a lifelong collector and researcher of tax stamps, especially for distilled spirits beginning in the 1790’s and the receipts for the internal revenue tax on distilled spirits that brought on the Whiskey Rebellion.
This is presented by the Talbot Historical Society in partnership with the Talbot County Free Library and will take place at the library located at 100 W. Dover St., Easton, MD 21601.
The lecture will be presented on May 5, 2026 at 1:00pm at the Talbot County Free Library
The lecture is free to the public, please plan to arrive early, as seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Talbot Historical Society office/research/exhibit hours are: Wednesday through Saturday 10am-3pm

Home and Garden Pilgrimage: Talbot County Tour
2026-05-09 10:00 - 17:00
2026 Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage
Talbot County Tour: Showcasing Talbot County History
Click here to purchase tickets
EASTON, MD – Early Bird tickets are now available for the Talbot County Tour of the Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage. Organized by the Talbot County Garden Club, this May 9, 2026 event is not to be missed!
The 2026 Talbot County Tour will showcase significant historic sites in our county to offer visitors an unrivaled experience in celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary. Visitors can access an array of houses and grounds that are rarely open to the public. These include nationally important historic waterfront homes with singular interiors and significant private gardens on the water. At each property, visitors can expect to see incredible floral displays creatively fashioned by the garden club’s talented designers – a hallmark of this biennial event.
Waterfront homes on tour include:

Wye House (a 17th century National Historic Landmark with an 18th century residence continuously occupied by 12 generations of the Lloyd family, including a delegate to the Continental Congress, Governor, and U.S. and State Representatives);
Plimhimmon (where Anna Maria Tilghman, widow of Revolutionary War hero Lt. Col. Tench Tilghman, entertained the Marquis de Lafayette); and
Emerson Point (graciously set on the Miles River).
The spectacular grounds of Harleigh Farm (on Trippe Creek) will also welcome visitors.

Tours and a delicious lunch will be available at Third Haven Friends (Quaker) Meeting House (1684) in Easton. And visitors will be encouraged to tour Talbot Historical Society’s Gardens and Neall House (ca 1804). The gardens are designed and maintained by the garden club and Tour proceeds are earmarked to help with Neall House restoration.
To add to the day’s experience, visitors will be directed via exclusive audio tours to drive by and discover the many historic landmarks in Oxford and
St. Michaels, towns that were influential in America’s Colonial Period.
Early Bird (reduced-price) Tour tickets at $40 are available now until 6 pm on January 31 at MHGP.org/talbotcounty. Regular-price tickets at $50 will remain available online until May 8. On the day of the event (May 9), tickets at $60 will be available at all sites.
For updated Talbot County Tour details, visit MHGP.org or talbotcountygc.org
About the Talbot County Garden Club
The Talbot County Garden Club is known for its “good and green works” that benefit the Talbot County community. The club was established in 1917 to enhance the natural beauty of the local environment by sharing knowledge of gardening, maintaining civic gardens, supporting civic greening projects, encouraging the conservation of natural resources, and fostering the art of flower arranging. Noteworthy projects include grounds maintenance at the Talbot Historical Society, Talbot County Free Library (Easton), and the Fountain and Children’s Gardens in Idlewild Park; greenery installations for Easton’s Rails to Trails, U.S. Post Office and Christ Church; plus an ever-growing number of gardening-related outreach activities serving youths, seniors and persons living with disabilities. There are currently 112 active, associate and honorary members.

The Tour is generously supported by the local community, with well over 300 volunteer docents and hosts on hand to guide visitors throughout the Tour day.

Poplar Island Tours: FREE for THS members
2026-06-08 08:30 - 12:00
Poplar Island Tours
THS MEMBERS ONLY
We are excited to offer the members of the Talbot Historical Society a personal tour of Poplar Island again! If you are not a member, consider becoming a member today to take advantage of this wonderful and educational opportunity today. If you have any questions about your membership status, please reach out to us. Contact information below.
The boat taking us to Poplar Island will depart from their base on Tilghman Island promptly at 9am and will return to Tilghman Island by noon.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes early.
Monday, June 8, 2026
and
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Boat leaves the base at 9am
Poplar Island Land Base
21548 Chicken Point Road
Tilghman, MD 21671
Detailed information will be provided for those who register closer to the tour dates. The boat can only accommodate 24 guests, so attendance will be limited. Please call 410-822-0773 or email kaylaw@talbothistory.org to reserve your spot as soon as possible.
The tour begins with a 20-minute boat ride to Poplar Island. We will then board an air-conditioned bus for a tour of the island and visitor’s center. “Tours and educational programs at Poplar Island focus on details related to the beneficial use of dredged material to restore remote island habitat. Tours cover erosion, the process of habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, and species diversity. Participants will also learn about cultural history on the Chesapeake from the 1600s through today, including how in the past, the Poplar Island chain once hosted a thriving Bay community and later a retreat for politicians, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt.”
Poplar Island Restoration Project Website: http://www.poplarislandrestoration.com/
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED
If you have any questions, wish to sign-up or would like to become a member, please contact the Talbot Historical Society at 410-822-0773 or email kaylaw@talbothistory.org

Poplar Island Tours: FREE for THS members
2026-10-27 08:30 - 12:00
Poplar Island Tours
THS MEMBERS ONLY
We are excited to offer the members of the Talbot Historical Society a personal tour of Poplar Island again! If you are not a member, consider becoming a member today to take advantage of this wonderful and educational opportunity today. If you have any questions about your membership status, please reach out to us. Contact information below.
The boat taking us to Poplar Island will depart from their base on Tilghman Island promptly at 9am and will return to Tilghman Island by noon.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes early.
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Boat leaves the base at 9am
Poplar Island Land Base
21548 Chicken Point Road
Tilghman, MD 21671
Detailed information will be provided for those who register closer to the tour dates. The boat can only accommodate 24 guests, so attendance will be limited. Please call 410-822-0773 or email kaylaw@talbothistory.org to reserve your spot as soon as possible.
The tour begins with a 20-minute boat ride to Poplar Island. We will then board an air-conditioned bus for a tour of the island and visitor’s center. “Tours and educational programs at Poplar Island focus on details related to the beneficial use of dredged material to restore remote island habitat. Tours cover erosion, the process of habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, and species diversity. Participants will also learn about cultural history on the Chesapeake from the 1600s through today, including how in the past, the Poplar Island chain once hosted a thriving Bay community and later a retreat for politicians, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt.”
Poplar Island Restoration Project Website: http://www.poplarislandrestoration.com/
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED
If you have any questions, wish to sign-up or would like to become a member, please contact the Talbot Historical Society at 410-822-0773 or email kaylaw@talbothistory.org
