Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown
We all like to look and feel our best, and to have a place to go and let our hair down, literally or metaphorically. These undated images labeled “Virginia Anthony Beauty Parlor” provide a glimpse into the self-care of an earlier era in Kent County. Do you recognize anyone in these photos? If so, please let us know in the comments or by emailing [email protected]. Image courtesy of the Historical Society of Kent County.
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Today’s photo dates from 1936 and depicts a Kent County institution of yore: Gill Brothers Dairy. Gill Brothers was part of the Kent County economy and social scene, with the Parlor in Chestertown offering everything from milk to ice cream to… oysters? Yes, per an early 20th century advertisement in the Kent News, you could even drop in daily from 7 a.m. until 12 p.m. for “a nice plate of cream” or a light lunch including oysters, available “Fried, Stewed and Raw.” As seen in this image, the dairy was a model of the 1930s-era machine age with its emphasis on labor-saving technology, modernity and aerodynamic design. The Cross Street location remains an important site of Kent County commerce, a key source of gifts, clothing, and various other little luxuries and necessities, rather than delicious treats. It’s an easy quiz today: What local business is now in the Gill Brothers building? Image courtesy of the Historical Society of Kent County.
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Election Day is just days away: Tuesday, November 5, 2024. In honor of electoral democracy, this week’s Flashback Photo shows the Beta Sigma Phi sorority’s commemoration in Chestertown’s 250th anniversary parade of the first women to vote in Maryland, in the Kent County town of Still Pond.
The sign carried by a marcher following behind the triumphant banner is in error. Fourteen, not 12, women from Still Pond registered to vote in 1908, after the town extended the franchise to any taxpayer over 21 year of age, including 2 African American women. Mary Jane Clark Howard, Anne Baker Maxwell, and Lillie Deringer Kelley cast their votes in a municipal election that year.
Disappointingly, Still Pond rescinded the right shortly thereafter, leaving women voiceless in elections for another 12 years, until the ratification of the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920. Here in Maryland, it took a further 21 years for the General Assembly in Annapolis to put its stamp of approval on women’s suffrage, finally ratifying the amendment in 1941. The Historical Society urges everyone who has the right to vote to exercise that right. Image courtesy of the Historical Society of Kent County.
Many thanks to Nikki Strong and Betty Ann Strong, who emailed us about last week’s snapping turtle image. The man in the photo is Albert “Snooks” Strong. The boy is his son, and Nikki’s father-in-law, Albert “Buffalo” Strong, Jr. Betty Ann tells us the photo was taken in 1952 at Swan Point, in southern Charles County, Maryland, and that Snooks died in 1973 and Buffalo in 1977.
All are welcome at the Historical Society from 5 – 7 pm on November 1, when the identities of the community members in the SPACE exhibition will be revealed–including some conflicting information and some remaining gaps to fill. If you can help us record accurate information, or just want to see photos from Chestertown’s Hollywood film shoot, visit the Bordley History Center on First Friday, or any time before November 18.
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In this undated photograph, a warmly dressed man and boy stand near the water, each holding a common snapping turtle by the tail. The boy’s expression seems somewhat dubious, or perhaps just shows his concentration in holding a reasonably heavy, alarmed reptile with famously powerful jaws. If you recognize the people or location in this photograph, please let us know in the comments or by emailing [email protected]. Image courtesy of the Historical Society of Kent County.
The exhibit of SPACE photographs taken in 1984 by Tyler Campbell is currently on view at the Bordley History Center at 301 High Street in Chestertown. The public is invited to see the behind-the-scenes images of the filming of the CBS miniseries SPACE, peruse Kent County genealogy records, and browse books and other items stocked in the museum shop. Open Thursdays and Fridays from 11 am – 2 pm and Saturdays from 10 am – 1 pm.
For more about the Historical Society of Kent County, go here.
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It’s peak apple season! Whether you prefer donuts, crumbles, brown betty, cider, or plain old slices, crisp fall air and fallen leaves and apples are a match made in heaven. We’re commemorating the work that goes into apple growing with today’s Flashback Photo. Dated 1912, this image shows farm workers and a cart-mounted apple spraying rig. An African American man sits with the sprayer in the back of the horse-drawn cart while another African American man stands beside a trough behind the cart. Please leave a comment with your favorite local source of apples, or your favorite apple recipe. Image courtesy of the Historical Society of Kent County, viewable in the Chesapeake Heartland Digital Archive at Heartland Project.
The exhibit of SPACE photographs taken in 1984 by Tyler Campbell is currently on view at the Bordley History Center at 301 High Street in Chestertown. The public is invited to see the behind-the-scenes images of the filming of the CBS miniseries SPACE, peruse Kent County genealogy records, and browse books and other items stocked in the museum shop. Open Thursdays and Fridays from 11 am – 2 pm and Saturdays from 10 am – 1 pm.
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Thank you to Don Sutton, who identified the ump in last week’s baseball photograph as his grandfather Reamy East. Mr. East served as umpire for many Little League games.
Sticking with the baseball theme for one more week, today’s Flashback Photo is a handsome lineup of Rock Hall players. If you can identify anyone in this undated photo, please let us know at [email protected].
The Bordley History Center at 301 High Street in Chestertown will continue to house the exhibit of SPACE photographs taken in 1984 by Tyler Campbell throughout the month of October. Visit to see the behind-the-scenes images of the filming of the CBS miniseries SPACE, and to help identify those who appear. Kent County genealogy records are also available to peruse on a drop-in basis, and the museum’s shop stocks a range of books and other items. Open Thursdays and Fridays from 11 am – 2 pm and Saturdays from 10 am – 1 pm.
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If you were disappointed by the end of the Orioles season this week, perhaps this week’s Flashback will remind you of happier times in baseball history. The undated photograph captures a dynamic mid-game moment between a batter, catcher and ump. If you have any information about these players, or this game, please share it in the comments or via email to [email protected].
Baseball has been a deep rooted part of Eastern Shore life and culture for many decades, with hometown players like Kent County’s own Bill “Swish” Nicholson, Jimmie Foxx of Sudlersville, and others making their marks as greats in the major leagues. Anyone interested in learning more about baseball history in the region is invited to a presentation by baseball historian and author Marty Payne this Sunday, October 6, at 2 pm at Emmanuel Parish Hall, 101 Cross Street in Chestertown. Peanuts and Crackerjacks will be available! Free tickets may be reserved online.
Also this weekend, the Historical Society will host an open house this evening, First Friday, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the filming of the CBS miniseries SPACE, featuring local residents as extras and starring Hollywood luminaries James Garner, Blair Brown, and Harry Hamlin among other well-known stars of the silver screen. Photographer Tyler Campbell has loaned 50 or so photographs to the society for display. The public is invited to view the exhibit and help identify the Kent Countians who appear. From 5 – 7 pm at the Bordley History Center, 301 High Street in Chestertown.
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This week’s flashback is an undated photograph of Martin Wagner’s repair shop in Edesville. Mr. Wagner and his work were honored by the placement of a Maryland roadside historical marker with the following inscription:
Martin Wagner 1899-1980 Master machinist and blacksmith. He was the third generation of his family to devote his life to work with forge, torch and anvil on this site. The Wagner blacksmith and machinery repair shop began serving the residents of Kent County in the 1850’s. Besides repairing manufactured equipment the Wagners created many new products for farmers and watermen. The Wagner skills made life easier for many generations of people covering a wide area of the upper Eastern Shore.
In a locale where agriculture and working the waterways were so inextricable from daily life and the economy, a blacksmith was as essential a tradesman as it gets. There are no oysters without tongs in good order, no crops without plowshares. Please share your memories of Martin Wagner and his business in the comments, or by email to [email protected]. Image courtesy of the Historical Society of Kent County.
Visit the Bordley History Center, 301 High Street, Chestertown to learn more about Kent County history. Regular hours Thursdays and Fridays from 11 am – 2 pm and Saturdays from 10 am – 1 pm, and from 5 pm – 7 pm on First Fridays. Visitors can browse the museum shop and explore genealogical records on a drop-in basis. Collections staff is available by appointment to assist with research in the library and archives. Upcoming events include First Friday, October 4, with an open house commemorating the filming of the CBS miniseries SPACE in 1984, and a presentation about the history of baseball on the Eastern Shore by author and baseball historian Marty Payne on Sunday, October 6. Visit www.kentcountyhistory.org or call (410) 778-3499 for more details.
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October will start with a bang at the Historical Society of Kent County. On First Friday, October 4, all are invited to the Bordley History Center from 5 – 7 pm for a special Open House commemorating the 40th anniversary of the CBS miniseries SPACE, which filmed in Chestertown in 1984.
Based on the James Michener book of the same name, SPACE featured Hollywood luminaries including James Garner, Blair Brown, and Beau Bridges. Many Chestertown community members appeared as extras, in period costumes and makeup evoking the 1950s. Among them was local photographer Tyler Campbell. During the periods of downtime that are part of any film shoot, he made stunning behind-the-scenes photographs.
The Historical 
Society will display 50 or so of these photos, offering everyone the opportunity to see the many Kent Countians who participated glammed-up in their Hollywood finery, and how Chestertown looked as a film set. And–the public is invited to help solve the mystery of who is who! Many of the people in the photos are currently unidentified, so everyone is invited to travel back in time to 1984… or 1954, to do some detective work. Other mementos and ephemera from the production may also be exhibited.
Baseball Historian and Local Author Marty Payne
On deck after First Friday is a book talk that won’t come out of left field. Baseball fans and history buffs should know right off the bat that seats are available for a Sunday, October 6 lecture about the history of baseball on the Eastern Shore. Step up to the plate and reserve your spot in the lineup.
With heavy hitters like “Swish” Nicholson from Chestertown and Jimmie “Double X” Foxx from Sudlersville, the Eastern Shore has a major minor league baseball legacy. Marty Payne is no bench warmer. He’ll cover all the bases and knock it out of the park with a grand slam presentation that’s sure to be a home run. There will be no need for a Bronx cheer at this event!
The event will be held at Emmanuel Parish Hall, 101 N. Cross Street in Chestertown–indoors, so there will be no need for a raincheck. Don’t sit in the dugout! Keep your eye on the ball and click here to step up to the plate and reserve your ticket today so the organizers have a ballpark figure on how many fans to expect in the grandstand.
Admission is free, and Crackerjacks will be available, along with other light refreshments. Copies of Marty Payne’s book Baseball on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, 1866-1950 will be available for sale, courtesy of The Bookplate.
The Historical Society invites everyone to consider getting involved as a member and a volunteer. Membership benefits include unlimited use of the Genealogy and Research Library (by appointment), a discount on books in the museum gift shop, and invitations to members-only events. A donation of $25 is recommended for individual memberships, and $40 for families. Student memberships are always free. Visit www.kentcountyhistory.org for more information, or email [email protected].
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A puzzle for our Flashback Fans: What decade do you think this photo is from?
If you recognize any of these young ladies, you may be a bit confused. The answer is: it’s from 1984.
That was the year that Space, a miniseries based on James Michener’s book of the same name and starring James Garner, Blair Brown, and Bruce Dern, among others, was filmed in Chestertown. Many community members became extras, including local photographer Tyler Campbell. There is lots of down time during any film shoot, so he had plenty of time to make behind-the-scenes photographs of the production and especially the locals in their costumes, hair and makeup.
In honor of the 40th anniversary of the shoot, the Bordley History Center will hold an open house–and a community detective project–on First Friday, October 4, 2024. There are roughly 50 photos from the production, but many of the people in the images have not been identified. The photos will be on display, and visitors who recognize anyone in them will be able to help put names to the faces.
Image courtesy of Tyler Campbell.
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