By now, the Historical Society community of members and friends is aware of the sudden passing of Gene Wood. 

Since becoming part of the organization in 2019, Gene's is the third friend I've lost here. Frankie Tippett. Pete Himmelheber. Now, Gene. Each brought different skills. Each was devoted to his craft. Each was eccentric in some unique way. Each was a pleasure to know. Each provided good counsel.  All made me feel inadequate and humble. All are missed.

As with Frankie and Pete, Gene's legacy is not just in in what he did but how he did it. Willingly. Happily. From enlarging shelves in the Research Center, improving lighting in several rooms and offices, designing and then building the carriage for the Ark cannon and the pedestal and cover for the Moll Dyer Rock, to creating and installing a new sign outside Historic Tudor Hall (along with his buddy, Sam Mederos, pictured above), Gene's legacy flowed from his careful attention to detail and skilled hands. Often he did what needed to be done without asking or being asked. Never did he seek payment for materials, knowing that the Historical Society could better use its limited funds for other purposes. 

Thank you, Gene, for all your gifts. And Frankie. And Pete. Yours are big shoes.

Historically Speaking

There is still time to register for Historically Speaking on March 26 at the Daugherty-Palmer Commons at St. Mary's College of Maryland. Mr. David Brown will present George Plater: St. Mary's Forgotten Patriot. The program has attracted considerable interest, particularly from friends of Historic Sotterley Plantation where George Plater lived. 



Reservations are strongly recommended (click the underlined link). Mr. Brown's book on George Plater will be available for purchase that evening.  

Mark Your Calendar: Spring Dinner & General Meeting

The 2026 Spring Dinner and Annual General Meeting will be held May 8 at the Olde Breton Inn.

The evening will include presentation of the third annual Pete Himmelheber Award. 

We will also let you know what we're planning for the Historical Society's 75^th Anniversary Celebration in September. We think you will be delighted to learn what we have coming and how you can participate in bringing Historic Tudor Hall back to its full glory.

At the dinner, we're delighted to have Robert Crickenberger as our guest speaker. Bob will present the topics in his newly published book, Point Lookout, Maryland: The Largest Civil War Prison.  His is a thought-provoking look at Point Lookout. He draws extensively on previously unpublished research to explore the complex experiences of both guards and prisoners. Postwar accounts, steeped in survivor bias and “Lost Cause” rhetoric, have long dominated the story—until now.

Mark your calendars now - this is not an evening you want to miss. More information will follow.

Historical Society of Charles County

Our friends in Charles County have recently launched a new - and handsome - website. The Historical Society of Charles County maintains Rich Hill, an historic building dating from 1729. The building is scheduled to open, by the way, on the first weekend in April.

We encourage you to take a look at their site and its contents. You will find it all at www.richhillfriends.org.