Merry Christmas from the Historical Society of Cecil County

As we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, we share two photos from the 1970s holidays in Cecil County.  These two images are from the Jim Cheeseman collection, a photo journalist who donated over 10,000 images to the Society.

In the top photo Santa takes a break while working at a Cecil County Dept. Store, while in the lower image he's arriving in downtown Elkton in the 1970s

Rising Sun 150th Anniversary Title Available From Historical Society

As a year filled with exciting events celebrating the 150th anniversary of Rising Sun draws to a close, a new book about the event and the community’s past just came off the press. This commemorative volume, Rising Sun, MD 150th Anniversary, is loaded with informative articles that chronicle the town’s past and features stories about its people, businesses and organizations.


“In putting together this commemorative book, we have tried to bridge the gap between the Centennial Book time frame and the Sesquicentennial time frame,” Mayor Sandi Didra recalled an earlier title that was published in 1960. “We have also summarized much of the material from the first book.”

It was a large task to produce this attractive work. But for nearly a year writers and photographers have been reaching out to residents to gather information for the volume. Speaking of that challenge, Ed Belote, the publisher said: “. . . . A massive amount of human effort was invested in putting this book together and we have all become a part of Rising Sun history. Fifty years from now, when our children and grandchildren come together to create the 20t0h anniversary celebration book for Rising Sun, I hope they have as much fun doing it as we had.”

This attractively illustrated limited edition volume loaded with original local content is something we’ll keep proudly at hand in our library. The title retails for $20 (plus tax) is available from the Historical Society.

Society Holidays Hours

The Society will close for the holidays starting on Dec. 21.  We reopen on Jan 3, 2011

Author of War of 1812 Title Talks About County During the War During Annual Meeting

Dr. Ralph Eshelman, one of the authors of a newly published Johns Hopkins University title, the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake, was the guest speaker for the annual Historical Society of Cecil County meeting on October 18th. The War of 1812 scholar spent years investigating sites connected with the conflict in Maryland, including Cecil County sites.


In a lively and engaging talk, the distinguished historian shared his findings about the history of the War of 1812 in Cecil County with the 80 members attending the annual event At the Chesapeake Inn. No theater of war suffered more than the Chesapeake Bay region, where 11 battles, 63 skirmishes, and 86 raids took place, he remarked. Several of those incidents took place right here in Cecil County. “Elkton and St. Michaels share the distinction of turning the British back twice.” He highlighted some of the history we don’t recognize here in the county as he continued, while also swiftly dispatching a few our cherished myths.

Dr. Eshelman was the director of the Calvert Marine Museum in Maryland from 1974 to 1990. In 1974 he received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. The widely published maritime and military history lecturer was also a research associate at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. In addition he served as a consulting historian on the War of 1812 on the Chesapeake for the Maryland Historical Trust and the National Park Service.

Authored by the regions foremost scholars on the war, Dr. Eshelman, Scott S. Sheads, National Park Service Historian, and Professor Donald D. Hickey, this title will serve as the definitive work on the war in the Chesapeake region, including Cecil County. The research in this encyclopedia title surpasses any body of material brought together on this matter and it is supported by primary documents including diaries, journals, and newspaper articles. The Society has added this well researched title to our library for it’ll get lots of use as planning continues for the celebration and it gives us a comprehensive volume of verified facts. Page after page is loaded with facts about incidents in Cecil and Harford counties, as well as throughout the state.

While this title is going to earn its keep in the library, there are a number of other works that are helpful too. But one additional manuscript is in the works. Authored by Ron Turner, it specifically deals with the War of 1812 on the Upper Chesapeake. Ron, a professional writer and journalist, wrote the draft a few years ago for the Roundtable and we’ve had an opportunity glance at this fine piece which focuses on Harford and Cecil. It is our understanding that this local title will be published and available to the public as a detailed local source of information, as the celebration nears.

Johns Hopkins Press Author, Dr. Eshelman, to Speak on War of 1812 in MD at Annual Historical Society Meeting, Oct. 18

One of the authors of a newly published Johns Hopkins University title, the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake, will be the guest speaker for the annual Historical Society meeting on October 18th in Chesapeake City. Dr. Ralph Eshelman spent years investigating sites connected with the conflict in Maryland so as the bicentennial of this chapter of our past nears, we’re pleased to have the opportunity to hear the distinguished historian.

His presentation will focus on the campaign in Maryland and our general area. “No state has more battlefields, graves or sites associated with the War,” he noted in a Washington College lecture. “Elkton and St. Michaels share the distinction of turning the British back twice.”

Dr. Eshelman was the director of the Calvert Marine Museum in Maryland from 1974 to 1990. In 1974 he received his Ph.D. in geology and vertebrate paleontology from the University of Michigan. He’s now a research associate at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. He is widely published and lectures on maritime and military history, popular exploration and paleontology. In addition he also served as a consulting historian on the War of 1812 on the Chesapeake for the Maryland Historical Trust and the National Park Service.

The evening program will be held at the Chesapeake Inn in Chesaepake City, MD, start at 6;00 p.m. with dinner on Oct. 18th. Watch for additional information on the evening’s arrangements soon, but keep this important date on your calendar. The author’s book will be available for purchase.

Cecil’s Field of Dreams Coming April 30th

Cecil County has a long and rich love affair with baseball going back more than a century, with its share of “local boys” making good in the Big Leagues. On Friday, April 30, from 5 to 8 p.m., sports fans of all ages are invited to experience the best years of county baseball all over again as part of “Cecil’s Field of Dreams,” a new exhibit at the Historical Society of Cecil County that celebrates our baseball heritage.

For the exhibit opening, members of the Elkton Eclipse Vintage Base Ball Club will be on hand in their late 1800s-era uniforms to portray players from the sport’s earliest days. The Historical Society will be exhibiting some interesting sports-related items from its extensive collection, featuring team photographs and memorabilia that includes vintage uniforms, autographed items and more.

All county baseball players past and present are invited to come out and reunite and reconnect with former teammates.

“What a great way to relive your baseball glory days with friends and family,” said Paula Newton, president of the Historical Society of Cecil County. “Sports is sometimes overlooked as an important part of our local heritage, which is why we want to make this exhibit a fun learning experience for the whole family.”

County resident James Crothers will be discussing his new book “History of the Rising Sun Little League” and signing copies. (This book was excerpted recently in the Historical Society’s publication, The Inkwell.)

Drawings will be held for Blue Rocks tickets and baseball cards, and there will be free Cracker Jacks, hot dogs and peanuts for hungry baseball fans.

This event is free and open to the public. The Historical Society of Cecil County is located at 135 E. Main Street, Elkton, Md. For more information, please call the Historical Society at 410-398-1790 or email info@cchistory.org. Visit the Historical Society online at http://www.cchistory.org/

Cecil's Field of Dreams an Exhibit Showcasing the History of Baseball in Cecil Co. Opens April 30th.

(Click on image for a better view)

Kermit Deboard Scholarship Fund

The Society will be awarding the Kermit DeBoard Scholarship Award, a $500 grant to a high school senior showing outstanding archivement in history who plans to pursue a degree in American history or a related field of study.  Kermit DeBoard, a local history enthusiast, was a founding member of a group called the Round Table -- a group interested in learning about and promoting local history in Cecil county.  When Mr. DeBoard recently died the Round Table was disbanded and donated their remaining funds to other local history organizations.  The Society was asked to be the steward and create and administer a scholarship fund in Kermit Deboard's memory.  High School students in Cecil County public schools interested in applying should see their guidance counselors.

Click here to obtain more information, including the application form

Honeymoon Express Program, Sat., Feb 13 Cancelled as Recovery From Feb. Blizzard Continues

The program scheduled for Feb. 13, the Honeymoon Express, has been cancelled as a result of the February blizzard.  The program will be rescheduled in a few months. 

Genealogy Basics Workshop, Jan. 16

While you have your snow shovel out this winter, think about digging up a little history with the Historical Society of Cecil County’s winter programs. You can start digging at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16 by uncovering your roots with a program entitled ”Getting Started With Your Family history: An Introduction to Genealogy.”
This three-hour workshop will introduce you to the basics of genealogical research. You will learn about the online resources available to you , as well as the records at our local historical society and the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The Society has access to records and databases you might not know about.

This workshop is intended for everyone even if you don’t have Cecil County family roots. The workshop is free for members of the Society and is $5 for non-members. The program will be held at the historical Society at 135 E. Main Street, Elkton.