The Monthly Newsletter of the St. Mary's County Historical Society FEBRUARY 2024
|
The View From the Loggia
We're back - well, almost.
The Historical Society and Tudor Hall reopen Wednesday, February 14 - Valentine's Day and the first day of Lent.
Not that the Winter break was all that much of a break. Archivist Elizabeth Mathews-Kern and techy guru, Tim Benson, spent hours at Tudor Hall preparing collections, scanning documents and maps, and more. Research volunteers, Joan Wise, Karen Wood, and Susan Thompson sorted through books and collections to separate the wheat from the chaff. Gene Wood spent his time installing new LED lighting fixtures in the Research Center and other places where the fluorescent tubes had just about given up the ghost. Mike Mummaugh and folks from TN Bowes installed a heat-pump contraption to help keep the old building warm.
As for me along with the always dependable, Mary Wolfe, we kept the home fires burning making sure your Membership Renewals were processed as we made plans for 2024.
Yes, it was chilly on some days that we labored in ye olde Tudor Hall. But when you're having fun, you don't notice.
Historically Speaking: Don't Miss Out
With 180 people registered, the Historically Speaking program on February 22 at Historic St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in St. Inigoes is approaching capacity. If you've put off making your reservation, it's time to act.
Fr. Francis Michael Walsh will speak on the themes in his book The Story of the St. Inigoes Mission 1634 – 1994. As part of the evening, Archdiocesan Bishop Roy E. Campbell, Jr. will introduce Fr. Walsh, and there will be honors and greetings from Maryland State officials, as well. 
The Historical Society is delighted to publish this important historical account and to introduce it to the public through this Historically Speaking event - an event being held in the very spot where Fr. Walsh began writing it. Illustrated with more than 70 historic photos and images, the book is well-researched containing over 780 endnotes.
If you have not yet RSVP'd, this may be your last chance to do so. By clicking on this link you will find detailed information and will be able to make your reservations.
There is no charge and the program is open to members and non-members alike. You will also have an opportunity to acquire Fr. Walsh's book at less than the already Member-discounted price - and have him sign it during a reception to follow the presentation.
Quoting from the Forward by Merideth Taylor, Professor Emerita at St. Mary's College of Maryland: "The Story of the Saint Inigoes Mission (1634-1994) is an important founding story told here in a personable way by a man of passionate beliefs."
If you appreciate the history of St. Mary's County, this is an event that you should not miss.
Make Plans for the Annual General Meeting & Spring Dinner
On May 10th, the Historical Society will hold its Spring Dinner and General Meeting at the Olde Breton Inn.
In addition to electing a slate of Directors and Officers, this year the Historical Society will inaugurate the first annual Pete Himmelheber Award.
Announced at the 2023 Fall Dinner, the award will recognize an individual for his or her contributions to the preservation or interpretation of St. Mary’s County History. Recipients need not be members of the Historical Society. In fact, they don't need to be residents of the County, as long as their work contributes meaningfully to an understanding or preservation of the history of the people, places, or events within St. Mary's County.
We sent a request to members for nominations and have received several. Nominees can be from the fields of archeology, anthropology, genealogy, reconstruction or preservation of historic property, or historical research. If you would like to nominate someone for the first Pete Himmelheber Award, please send an email to director@stmaryshistory.org. Please include " Himmelheber Award" in your subject line.
And if you have not done so, we encourage you to visit Pete's old website - A Trip to Radnor Forge - on our home page. Just click on RadnorForge and you'll be taken there!
|