Events and Programs
at the
Historical Society of Talbot County
On This Web Page - Public Programs, Living History Programs, Especially for Schools and Youth Groups
The Historical Society of Talbot County is an official partner of the War of 1812 Bicentennial.
To learn about the War of 1812, click 1812Talbot. To find out if you have an ancestor who fought with the Talbot Militia, click St. Michaels 1812
For information on putting together or making your own War of 1812 costume click 1812 Costume
1812 App
You can download an app created by the Daughters of the War of 1812
1812 App
1812-1814 Acting Troupe 
Saturday, June 15
10 am - 12 noon
Easton Farmer’s Market
Our group of citizens will enact life during the War of 1812. In this special appearance at the Farmer's Market we will be accompanied by the folk music group "Kindred Spirits"
Fair Plays Vintage Base Ball Games
"Curly Day" in honor of the team's beloved Captain
Sunday, June 23
at 11 am at Mt. Pleasant Park
12 Magnolia St., Easton, MD
versus the Brooklyn Atlantics & the Elkton Eclipse
Enjoy a full day of old-time base ball as it was played in 1864. Learn about "fair-foul" balls and watch players catch without gloves.
11 am Talbot Fair Plays vs Brooklyn Atlantics
1 pm Brooklyn Atlantics vs Elkton Eclipse
3 pm Elkton Eclipse vs Talbot Fair Plays
For more information on vintage base ball, click here
Fair Plays Vintage Base Ball Games
Sunday, June 30
at 12 noon at Mt. Pleasant Park
12 Magnolia St., Easton, MD
versus the Philadelphia Athletic
Enjoy two games of old-time base ball as it was played in 1864. Learn about "fair-foul" balls and watch players catch without gloves. For more information, click here
Chautauqua 2013 - Turning Points in History
Living history portrayals of Rachel Carson, Amelia Earhart, and Jackie Robinson, and
Monday July 8, Tuesday July 9, Wednesday July 10
7:00 pm
Garden behind the Historical Society Museum,
25 S. Washington St., Easton
Rain Location: Avalon Theatre
Chautauqua (pronounced "sha-TAW-kwa") adult education programs brought lecturers and entertainers to rural communities across the country in the early 20th century. They were started at Chautauqua Lake in New York. The Maryland Humanities Council's program brings to life famous figures from the past. Each evening's entertainment will present a different character, who will tell how his or her life changed our culture. July 8 - Rachel Carson, July 9 - Amelia Earhart, July 10 - Jackie Robinson.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.
A FREE program of the Maryland Humanities Council. Also sponsored by the Talbot County Arts Council, and Judith Needham & Warren Kilmer.
1812-1814 Acting Troupe
Saturday & Sunday, July 13 & 14
9 am - 6pm Saturday, 9 am - 2 pm Sunday
Tuckahoe Steam & Gas Show
11472 Ocean Gateway, Easton, MD
Our group of citizens will enact life during the War of 1812. At this fun event we will be between the broommaker and the blacksmith. Come look for us.
Tuckahoe Steam & Gas Association is located approximately 5 miles north of Easton, MD on US Route 50 between mileposts 58 and 59.
Longwoods School Open House
Saturday July 20
10 am to 1 pm
Longwoods Rd (rte 662) near Sharp Rd.
If you’ve always wanted to see inside the little red schoolhouse in Longwoods, this is your chance. Walk around the classroom and see what it is like to write on a slate tablet. Bring a lunch and have a picnic on the lawn.
Free
War of 1812-1814 Bicentennial Trip
Bus Trip to Fort McHenry and Maryland Historical Society
Thursday, July 25
Depart from Easton Fire House on Creamery Lane at 8:30am.
Return to Easton by 6:15pm.
Experience the ultimate Star-Spangled adventure when HSTC takes a family-friendly excursion to Fort McHenry and the Maryland Historical Society (MdHS). During the Battle of Baltimore in 1814, the valiant defense of the fort inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner.” At 11 am there will be a presentation by a Park Ranger to our group called War and the Chesapeake. You will then have time to explore the fort on your own. As a capstone to the day’s experience, we will visit the MdHS exhibit called “In Full Glory Reflected” which includes Francis Scott Key's original hand-written poem that became our National Anthem. Seeing this document will bring full-circle the experiences of the day and provide a lasting memory for the young and young-at-heart.
Fee includes bus, driver gratuity, tours of the fort and museum, and a boxed lunch. Lunch options are: Turkey and cheese, BLT or power house vegetable sandwich. All lunches come with pasta salad, cookie and a bottle of water.
$60 per HSTC member/$75 per non-member
Fair Plays Vintage Base Ball Games
Sunday, August 4
at 12 noon at Mt. Pleasant Park
12 Magnolia St., Easton, MD
versus Brandywine
Enjoy two games of old-time base ball as it was played in 1864. Learn about "fair-foul" balls and watch players catch without gloves. For more information, click here
Bicentennial of the Battle of St. Michaels in the War of 1812-1814
Saturday, August 10
Various locations in downtown St. Michaels.
The Historical Society of Talbot County will join the bicentennial celebration by sending our living history troupe to set up camp in St. Mary's Square. The Town of St. Michaels has a full day of family fun planned out including parade, live music, food, kids' activities and more. Skipjack rides will be available for a fee. For more information visit stmichaelsmd.org
FREE Admission
Food for Thought Series
History of Aviation in Talbot County
Thursday, August 22 
promptly at noon
Sugar Buns Cafe
29137 Newnam Rd, Easton (at the Airport)
Join Mike Henry, Talbot County Airport Manager and our own Curator, Beth Hansen for an informative discussion about the History of Aviation in Talbot County.
Luncheon options are Cobb Salad, Angus Burger (with or without cheese) or Tarragon Chicken Salad. Lunch also includes beverage - Soda, Iced Tea, Lemonade or Coffee - and an Espresso Triple Fudge Brownie.
The price including lunch is $25 per HSTC Member and $32 for non-members.
Fair Plays Vintage Base Ball Games
Sunday, August 25
at 12 noon at Mt. Pleasant Park
12 Magnolia St., Easton, MD
versus the Potomac Nine
Enjoy two games of old-time base ball as it was played in 1864. Learn about "fair-foul" balls and watch players catch without gloves. For more information, click here
Gracie’s Girls in the Garden
A women only event
Thursday, Sept. 12
5:30-8:30 pm
Historical Society of Talbot, 25 S. Washington St., Easton, MD
Ladies are invited to attend a Historical Society of Talbot County. Our county was named after Lady Grace Talbot, the sister of the first “owner,” Lord Baltimore. So in her honor, we decided to name this women only event, “Gracie’s Girls in the Garden.” Food will be provided by some of Talbot's finest caterers, and will include wine and "Talbotinis". Come see what they are!
$20 per person
Oystering Legacy at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
Special Tour for HSTC Members
Saturday, September 14
2 pm.
Members of the Historical Society of Talbot County are invited to a special look at the Oystering exhibit at CBMM. "Oystering Legacy" explores the social and environmental history of the Chesapeake oyster. Participants get to touch bian oyster fossils, tong oystering, climb into the coffin bunk on a skipjack, and observe the animals in a modern-day oyster nursery. The tour is great for all ages. Limited to only 15 guests.
$20 per person
LECTURE POSPONED - WATCH THIS WEBSITE FOR A NEW DATE
Food for Thought Series
The History of the Jewish Faith on the Eastern Shore with Rabbi Peter Hyman
Friday, November 2, 2012
Noon
River House at Easton Club, in the Club Room
28449 Club House Road, Easton
Enjoy an overview of our Jewish community and a delicious lunch.
Menu Options:
Caesar Salad
Caesar salad with Chicken
Chef Salad Wrap with Fresh Fruit
Crab Cake Sandwich with Fresh Fruit
Iced Tea , Water, and Coffee included
Chef’s selection of desserts.
$30 per HSTC member or $35 per non-member
Save the Dates for these Future Events:
September TBA - Coffee and Conversation (Talbot History 101)
2014 will be our Diamond Jubilee 60th anniversary!
January 14 - Paint a historic replica bowl at Clay Bakers. 1 pm and 6 pm.
You can Participate in one of our Living History Programs
1812-1814 Acting Troupe
Various events are being held around Maryland as part of the War of 1812 bicentennial. The Troupe sets up "camp" and demonstrates traditional skills at many of them. Our actors tell the public about life during the federal era. You are welcome to join. We will help you put together an 1812 era costume for War of 1812 bicentennial. See what we do on this video on youtube. Call Beth with questions 410-822-0773 or email curator
Troupe Schedule
May 4 Multicultural Festival in Easton
May 11 1812 Exhibit opening at CBMM
May 11 Kitchen & Garden Tour in Easton
May 27 Memorial Day Parade in Chestertown
June 1 St. Michaels Farmer's Market
June 15 Easton Farmer’s Market with Kindred Spirits
July 4 Fourth of July Parade in St. Michaels
July 13 & 14 Tuckahoe Steam & Gas Show
August 9 Perry Benson Day in St. Michaels
August 10 Battle of St. Michaels
November 8-10 Waterfowl Festival in Easton
War of 1812-1814 Militia
Calling all men of Talbot County to join the War of 1812 Eastern Shore Militia. Experienced military re-enactor John Wyman will explain what the militia will be doing in the next years. New recruits will get drilled in the manual of arms.
The Eastern Shore Militia is a project of the Eastern Shore War of 1812 Consortium, made possible with funding from the State of Marylands War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission and the counties of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Annes and Talbot. It is being administered by the Historical Society of Kent County in cooperation with the Friends of Kent County, Maryland War of 1812, and the Eastern Shore War of 1812 Consortium.
For specific questions about the militia, contact John Wyman.
Photo taken by Kevin Hemstock at Caulk’s Field.
Fair Plays Vintage Base Ball Team
Play Base Ball the old-fashioned way - just like they did in 1864. Our team plays April - October.
Click on the photo below to go to the team's webpage to get a complete schedule.
Especially for Schools and Youth Groups
Longwoods One-Room School Program Traveling Trunk Program Filled with reproduction primary source artifacts and documents, lesson plans, activity suggestions, worksheets, and audiovisual materials, these kits are excellent resources for teaching Maryland and United States history! Third Grade "My Community" Assignment Fourth Grade Postcards Assignment Cancellation Policy for All Programs:
HSTC Home Page |
Tours and Museum Information |
Events and Programs Historical Society of Talbot County All rights reserved © 2002.
Field Trip for Schools and Youth Groups
The little red schoolhouse at Longwoods is once again filled with children. "A Day at a One-Room Schoolhouse" is a new field trip option for fourth grade students. The Historical Society of Talbot County has been working with the Talbot School District to create a day in the year 1900 that also meets modern state curriculum standards. Funding for this project was provided by the Talbot County Garden Club.
To schedule a field trip, or for more information, contact the Curator at 410-822-0773 or email to curator
The Maryland Historical Society (MdHS) and the Historical Society of Talbot County are partnering to bring traveling trunks to the Eastern Shore!
For only $40, teachers may rent our Growing Up in Maryland (K-3), or Tools of the Historian (4-12) for three weeks. Teachers must pick the trunks up from and return them to the Historical Society of Talbot County in Easton (trunks are also available for round trip shipping from MdHS for $85). Don’t miss this great opportunity!
To book a trunk, please call Gayle Shank, Education Programs Assistant, at 410-685-3750 ext. 334 or email her at gail.
Please see the Maryland Historical Society website for more information on the trunks and images of trunk contents.
Teacher comments:
Growing Up in Maryland - My kindergarten students loved the trunk. The lesson plans were great. We made larger prints of the paper dolls and my students cut out the dolls. Most of them have never seen paper dolls. Even the boys loved the dolls.
Tools of the Historian - I best liked artifacts related to Baltimore Fire, high level of questions, variety of artifacts.
A Stitch in Time: Quilts - I liked the template quilt block game – students were creative and loved it!
Information about some select historic sites can be found at Talbot County Community
A few of our images are available at Talbot County Postcards.
Registrants who cancel 8 or more days in advance of a program will receive a full refund. Registrants who cancel 7 or less days in advance of the program will not receive a refund unless the participant’s spot can be filled. If HSTC cancels a program because of weather, insufficient registration, or any other reason, registrants will receive a full refund. HSTC will accept a registration fee as a donation in lieu of attendance to any program.
(top of page)
Collection and Archives |
Talbot County History |
Membership |
Volunteer Opportunities
Tharpe Antiques |
Facilities Rental |
Directions and Contact Information |
Links
25 South Washington Street
Easton, MD 21601
Telephone Number: 410-822-0773