USCT Exhibit: With Valor and Honor
2025-08-06 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-07 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-08 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-09 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-13 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-14 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-15 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-16 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) and 17 more dates
“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.

Historic Walking Tours
2025-08-16 11:00 - 13:00
Historic Walking Tours
Saturday August 16th, 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

USCT Exhibit: With Valor and Honor
2025-08-27 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, founding 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 honors 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.

Frederick Douglass Speaks on Emancipation & Reconstruction
2025-08-27 13:00 - 14:00
Frederick Douglass Speaks on Emancipation & Reconstruction
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 @ 1:00pm
Join Historian, Nathan M. Richardson, for an amazing first person interpretation of Frederick Douglass. See the Emancipation Proclamation and Reconstruction through the eyes of Frederick Douglass. Learn about the influence Douglass had on the three presidents of the period; Lincoln, Johnson and Grant. Learn about the three Freedom documents that ended slavery after the Civil War. Hear Douglass’ 1875 speech “Oration on the Memory of Abraham Lincoln. Bring your questions for Mr. Douglass about his memory of Talbot County.
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 August 27th at 1pm.
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: Shoulder Arms! Marching from Wye House to Freedom
2025-09-12 13:00 - 14:00
Shoulder Arms! Marching from Wye House to Freedom
Friday, September 12, 2025 @ 1:00pm
Union Army Col. William Birney recruited Charles Kellum Jr. for enlistment in the United States Colored Troops, 19th Regiment, Co. C, on December 17, 1863 in Talbot County, Maryland. Charles, 25, is described as a 5 ft. 6 ¼ inches tall Mulatto with brown eyes and black hair. Born in Talbot, his occupation is farmer. What the military record doesn’t reveal is he was enslaved by Col. Edward Lloyd VII, “Master of Wye House.” Charles Kellum is Robin Michel Caudell’s paternal great-great-grandfather, and she unpacks their family history in “Shoulder Arms! Marching from Wye House to Freedom.”
Born and raised on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Robin Michel Caudell, holds a BS in Journalism, from the University of Maryland at College Park, and an MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College. She was educated in Caroline County Schools and is a graduate of Colonel Richardson High School Class of 1977. An award-winning Staff Writer at the Plattsburgh Press-Republican and a U.S. Air Force Veteran, she is the 2023 Veterans Writing Award Winner for Black Heel Strings: A Choptank Memoir, which will be published by Syracuse University Press in Spring 2026. She received the 2022 Women of Distinction Military Service Award from NY State Assemblyman D. Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay). Robin is the director/executive producer/screenwriter for “Witness Tree at Union Road,” a speculative documentary in pre-production about a Dutch-American family and its evolution from enslaver, abolitionist, to Union Army soldier KIA in the Civil War. She is a Founding Board Trustee of the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association and an alum of Cave Canem, Gotham Writers Workshop, Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, and Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference.
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 September 12th, 2025 at 1pm and 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

Historic Walking Tours
2025-09-13 11:00 - 13:00
Historic Walking Tours
Saturday September 13th, 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
