The View from the Loggia
We've been open for a month now and the Historical Society is buzzing with activity. As I write this, several of our volunteers along with Archivist Elizabeth Mathews-Kern are in the final stages of preparation for Academic Night at Leonardtown Elementary. There, Karen Wood and Susan Thompson will share the history of Leonardtown Elementary School and the Ark Cannon (which, as you know, is now residing here at Tudor Hall before moving to a permanent home in the Fall).
We'd like to open more doors to give presentations at schools, public or private, youth clubs, or similar organizations. If you or someone you know is involved in PTA, a home schooling co-op, a youth group (or an adult group, for that matter) and want to learn about the history of this County, please let us know. Everyone, especially the young, should understand and appreciate where they live and the people on whose shoulders this community was built.
A quick note of thanks to all of you who renewed your membership. As we say so often, we are here for you and depend on you to keep the Historical Society and historic Tudor Hall running. We're delighted that our total membership grew 7% from 2022 to 2023! We now boast 735 members - and are still growing.
If You're Not a Member, How About Joining!
In addition to keeping members informed, The Tudor Hall Times is read by 290 non-members of the Historical Society. If you're among them, why not join our ranks? Not only do you gain access to member-only resources, but you contribute to an organization whose sole purpose is to collect, preserve, and interpret the rich history of St. Mary's County. Annual dues start at $50. That's about $4.17 per month or $1 a week - less than one a fast food breakfast or lunch.
To join, simply click right here - New Member Signup - and you're good to go!
The 2024 Annual General Meeting & Spring Dinner
May 10th has been set for this years Annual Meeting & Dinner. Reservations open March 18th but you can find information about the event - and how to Sponsor this well-attended event - at our website by clicking on this link and reserve your spot on the 18th.
In addition to electing Officers and Directors, the program includes Travis Parno from Historic St. Mary's City speaking about the continuing excavation of St. Mary's Fort. Travis, who heads the archeology research team, is at the heart of this major undertaking and the plans to recreate the fort on the site.
This year's meeting will see the first presentation of the Pete Himmelheber Award For Excellence in Preserving and Interpreting St. Mary’s County History. The award will be presented by Tim Heely, President, and Lillie Himmelheber. Our thanks, by the way, to all who submitted nominations.
The Story of the St. Inigoes Mission -- Video Available
On February 22, 165 folks attended Historically Speaking and the launch of Fr. Francis Michael Walsh's book. At the reception which followed, Fr. Walsh signed copies of his book - which quickly sold out and is now going into a second printing.
The video recording of his presentation - along with Maryland Governor Wes Moore's greeting - is available on our website at our Historically Speaking Videos page.
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