A Monthly Newsletter for Members and Friends of the St. Mary's County Historical Society
JUNE 2025
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The View from the Loggia
Peter LaPorte, Executive Director
Summer is for Socializing
At long last, flowers are bursting from the ground. Crepe Myrtles are hinting that they will soon be in blossom. Mosquitos are eagerly seeking new victims. The hum of lawnmowers is breaking the silence of lazy Saturday mornings. Burgers sizzle on countless grills as family and neighbors come together. Kids laugh under sprinklers or in the splashing pool. Everything is as it should be. . .
Summertime is also time for the Historical Society's annual Summer Social. Its a chance for Members, friends and guests to enjoy each other's company at Tudor Hall in the shade of the Willow Oaks or within (where you may want to tease the ivories on the piano).
The date for this year's Social is Saturday July 12th. You will find more information and can RSVP at this link. Keep in mind as well that if you have a favorite Summer dish or snack, you may want to bring it along to share.
See you on the 12th!
The 2025 Spring Dinner
 Were you at the Spring Dinner last Month? We hope so. It was a great evening, marked by the second annual Pete Himmelheber Award presented to Eve Love and John Cook. Eve and John have contributed significantly to furthering knowledge and awareness of County families, history, and especially to preserving the history of the towns and properties on what is now the Naval Air Station Patuxent River. A well-deserved honor.
Carol Booker, the featured speaker, delighted the audience with her story of The Farmer's Wife. A fascinating story in itself made even more engrossing when told with gusto and the panache of a seasoned storyteller. If you missed it, or want to enjoy it a second time, you can find it on our website or at this link on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ThYSsOT3epU
A Hidden Gem
Not that long ago, Mrs. Sarah Matisick with help from the Friends of the Newtowne Manor House, a group dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the 18th century building, published a comprehensive book of oral histories of Newtown over the last several years.
If you are unaware, the Newtowne Manor House is out Newtown Neck Road in Compton, adjacent to St. Francis Xavier Church (which, as the first parish founded in the English-speaking colonies, has its own rich history). It served as the residence for early Jesuit missionaries and clergy serving the County and beyond.
The book consists of over 300 pages and more than 350 photos. It is truly a hidden gem - an important book of the history of the people who populated Newtown Neck and Compton, the Jesuit clergy, and their legacies.
While we don't have the book at Tudor Hall, you can purchase it for $100 directly from Sarah at 301.247.7416 (we understand that there may not be many copies left). Proceeds go toward the restoration of the Manor House, one of the most important landmarks of St. Mary's County history.
Past issues of the Tudor Hall Times can be found on our website under Publications
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