Voices of Kent, an exhibit featuring oral histories from the Historical Society of Kent County’s Library Collection, accompanied by photographs taken by Tyler Campbell of Chestertown, is on display at the Society’s future Bordley History Center, 301 High Street in Chestertown, now through January. The exhibit offers a selection of edited transcriptions and audio recordings of various residents as they share memories of rural and town life of Kent County during the first half of the 20th century. An audio component offers excerpts from some of the interviewee’s recollections, allowing the voices of these people, who have all passed away, to be heard again as they discuss farming, first cars, rural delivery, the Depression, WWII and other topics.
The oral histories in Voices of Kent were collected in the 1980s in a project organized by the Historical Society, coordinated by Marge Fallaw. Among those interviewed were William “Swish” Nicholson, a Kent County farm boy who became a baseball legend, and whose statue stands by the Visitor’s Center in Chestertown; as well as Gilbert Byron, beloved author of the Eastern Shore. Excerpts from the transcriptions of these and other interviewees, along with Campbell’s photographs, can be found on the Historical Society’s special online exhibit at their website: www.kentcountyhistory.org. A catalog record of oral histories in the Society’s collection may also be found at their website, and audio versions listened to at the Historical Society’s research library at the Geddes-Piper House, 101 Church Alley in Chestertown. For hours and more information, please visit their website or call 410-778-3499.
Voices of Kent Exhibit was made possible by a grant from the former Kent County Heritage Trust, and funds from Kent County Arts Council. The exhibit is open to the public, with an official opening night on Friday, December 7, 6:00-8:00 pm, and continue through January, Tues, Wed, Thurs and Sat from 10:00 – 2:00, and Friday, 10:00-5:00. The exhibit, along with the Society’s Little Shop on the Corner, open those same hours, are among the activities taking place in the future Bordley History Center at 301 High Street, Chestertown, as the Society moves forward with plans, including a fund raising campaign, for their new building.
Named after the Bordley Schottland family who donated the building for this purpose, the new center will offer interpretive exhibits, a research library, special programming, children’s activities, and serve as a community resource focusing on education and economic enhancement through heritage tourism. The Historical Society of Kent County operates the Geddes-Piper House Museum on Church Alley in Chestertown, which offers an overview of Kent County history by time period, along with their research library, and other events and activities. For hours and more information, please visit the Historical Society’s website, or call 410-778-3499.
Cover: Irene Graham (Photography by Tyler Campbell)
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