It’s time we ask the public what they want to know about their community’s history. On Thursday May 8, 2014, at the Kent County Public Library, Chestertown Branch a public forum will be held to discuss this issue. The forum will run from 7:00pm to 9:00pm in the main meeting room of the building. This will be an opportunity for local Kent County residents to tell representative members of historical organizations in the community and one another what they’re interested in knowing about Kent County/Chestertown history.
Washington College Junior Marissa Seidel is holding this Public Forum in Chestertown as part of a final project for a Public History class at the College, taught by Dr. Ted Maris-Wolf. In determining her final project, Seidel saw a need in the community for better communication among historians researching the county and today’s residents. “History is an interpretation, not solid fact or an unalterable story. People of a community should have the right to have input in the writing of their own local story,” says Seidel.
This public history forum will seek to continue to encourage dialogue between the public and public historians responsible for maintaining and representing local history. This community conversation will allow community members to share their thoughts and opinions with local representatives from several historical organizations in the community. There will be representation from the Kent County Historical Society, Chestertown Historic District Commission, the Charles Sumner Post of the G.A.R., and the C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience. Former mayoral candidate Armond Fletcher will also be in attendance.
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