Talbot Historical Society

Past Exhibits

Past Exhibitions

The Talbot Historical Society has a rotating temporary exhibit in the
Lawrence Denton Extended Museum at
25 S. Washington Street.
These exhibits highlight the history and culture of Talbot County.

“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.


Talbot People – Photographs and book by Steve Lingeman – This photographic exhibit highlighted people of Talbot County – Easton, Oxford, St. Michaels Trappe and places in between. It’s about all of us and our families, ethnicities, ages, affiliations, religions and professions. This is a project of diversity and the extraordinary collective of people who live in and contribute to Talbot County. The book is also available for purchase at THS.

Made In Talbot County – June 2023 through December 2023

This special exhibit featured Talbot County artisans and craftsmen from centuries past to the early 2000’s. Some individuals featured included Robert Lambdin, Downes Curtis, Ruth Orrell, James and Joseph Neall, Thomas Bruff, Anna Maria Hammond and many more! View their talent and craftsmanship highlighted in this fun and informative exhibit by watching the video below.

Catching Shadows –  An exhibit featuring tintype portraits, recorded voices and local artifacts of Native Americans living in the 21st Century on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. 
  • January 2023 – May 2023

Bay From Above – An exhibit about change, featuring aerial views of Talbot County over 80 years.

  • May 2022 – December 2022

Retail Rewind – This was a highlight of the stores in Talbot county featuring over 50 historic photos, memorabilia and merchandise from shops in Talbot County’s past.

  • May 2021 – December 2021

Honoring WWII Veterans of Talbot County

  • May 4, 2019- September 2019

Historic Decoys of Talbot County

  • Dec 2018

Working Boats of Talbot County

  • Fall 2018

Harvesting Our Heritage

  • Summer 2018

Trains of Talbot County

  • 8-2017

Unionville

  • 7-2017

Historic Homes

  • 6-2017

Canning

  • 4-2017

Windows to the Past: Cordova Remembered

  • 2013
  • With Chapel District 4-H

Neavitt

  • October 2011
  • working with the Village of Neavitt and their main contact person, Karen Footner, on an exhibit about their community.  HSTC has embarked on a series of community-based exhibits.  Neavitt will be the third community to collaborate with us to develop an exhibit.

Easton A-Z

  • 2010
  • 300th anniversary of Easton

Trains, Ships, Planes and Automobiles

  • 2010

Farm Life

  • Rental from NEH Exhibits USA
  • Open: September 1, 2010
  • Close: October 5, 2010

Local Businesses

  • Open: January 31, 2010
  • Close August 1, 2010

NOAA Oyster

  • 2009
  • with NOAA Cooperative Oxford Lab
  • Received NOAA Preserve America Initiative Grant

My Historic Home

  • September 2009

Disease, Medicine, and Epidemics

  • Open: September 1, 2009
  • Close July 31, 2010

Trappe: Changing Town

  • Open: July 1, 2009
  • Close: December 31, 2009

Talbot County Supports the Allies (WWII)

  • Open: February 1, 2009
  • Close: May 31, 2009

Tunis Mills

  • Open: October 1, 2008
  • Close: December 31, 2008

Changing Technology in Everyday Life

  • Open: September 1, 2008
  • Close: July 31, 2009

Voices of American Farm Women (rental from Exhibits USA)

  • Open: July 1, 2008
  • Close: August 31, 2008

Food?

  • Open: October 1, 2007
  • Close: 2008

One Room Schoolhouses

  • Open: September 1, 2007
  • Close: July 31, 2008

Talbot Tails: Pets of the Chesapeake

  • Open: August 1, 2007
  • Close: May 31, 2008

Vanishing Landscapes

  • Shirley Hampton Hunt (rental)
  • Open: May 1, 2007
  • Close: June 30, 2007 or October 31, 2007

1960-1970s

  • Open October 1, 2006
  • Close: July 31, 2007 or August 31, 2007

Federal Era and Saving the Neall House

  • Open June 1, 2006
  • Close: March 31, 2007

Needlework Samplers

  • Open: February 1, 2006
  • Close: April 30, 2006

Victoriana

  • Open: October 1, 2005
  • Close: August 31, 2006

Postcards

  • Open: April 1, 2005
  • Close: December 31, 2005

1954

  • 2003-2004
  • Closed October 2005
  • There was a sock hop event with this exhibit

Anna Matilda Groome

  • 2002

Mayor Martin M. Higgins:

  • The Second Time Around
  • 2002

Cedar Point maybe also called William Bartlett’s World: A Maryland Quaker in the New Republic or An-Opened Book: The Life and Times of William Bartlett, A Maryland Quaker in the New Republic

  • June (2001?)
  • or scheduled to open in Nov 2004
  • The exhibit will focus on the wonderful watercolors of Cedar Point done by the owner William E. Bartlett in 1843.

A Peaceable Haven

  • 1984
  • For the 300th anniversary of the Third Haven Meeting House

Exhibits of the past with unknown dates:
Baseball
Medicine
Gardens
Threshing
Railroad
Log Canoes
Snow Easton
Women’s Exhibit
Mystery Photo
African American Heritage
Changing the Exhibit
Collector’s Corner
Farm Life
Farm Women
Hallway Talbot
Hands On Area
Hollyday
Home Technology
Miles River Bridge Company
War of 1812
Ruth Starr Rose