Living on Land & on Water

Currently on Display at The Mary Jenkins House
30 S. Washington St.

Step into the story of Talbot County, first planted by English settlers in 1634, where local history mirrors the larger journey of Maryland and the United States. This exhibit explores a community shaped by courage and cooperation, highlighting its pivotal role in the American Revolution and the War of 1812, as well as the military heroes it proudly produced. Visitors will discover how tolerance defined Talbot County, where Quakers, indentured servants, Irish and Scottish rebels, free African Americans, and others lived and worked side by side to build thriving communities and a distinctive culture. Highlighting elegant eighteenth-century estates and the agricultural and seafood industries that flourished in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the exhibit reveals how generations of innovation and resilience shaped Talbot County’s enduring legacy.

Many of the photographs featured in this exhibit come from the H. Robins Hollyday Collection. Beginning in 1929, Malcolm Hathaway, Talbot County’s most renowned aviator, partnered with celebrated local photographer H. Robins Hollyday to capture thousands of aerial images over the following decades, many of which are now preserved and displayed in this museum. These remarkable photographs are available to the public thanks to the countless hours of dedication and care provided by board member Cathy Hill. We extend our deepest gratitude for her invaluable contributions and for her continued commitment to the Talbot Historical Society.