The Forgotten Conflict: The War of 1812

‘The Press-Gang’
Luke Clennell (1781-1840)

Mid Atlantic travelers who focus on Civil War events at major National Parks are missing out on the opportunity to learn more about another conflict which shaped the nation; The War of 1812.

In the 32-month long War of 1812, the United States took on the greatest naval power in the world, Great Britain. The United States suffered many costly defeats at the hands of British, Canadian and Native American troops over the course of the War of 1812, including the capture and burning of the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., in August 1814.

On Sunday, February 23 at 3:00 p.m. in the new auditorium at the College of Southern Maryland Prince Frederick Campus, historian Dr. Sidney Hart will present The War of 1812 through the lens of Portraiture and Images. Dr. Hart is the Senior Historian at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and co-editor of the Peale Family Papers, “The Selected Papers of Charles Wilson Peale and His Family, 5 volumes.” He recently curated the National Portrait Gallery exhibit“1812: A Nation Emerges” and co-authored the exhibit’s catalogue of the same title.

This lecture is part of the War of 1812: A Legacy of Division series which offers a wide range of perspectives on this “forgotten conflict.” The series is presented in celebration of the War of 1812 Bicentennial by Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, in partnership with the Calvert Marine Museum and College of Southern Maryland.

Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, a state museum of archaeology and home to the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory, is a program of the Maryland Historical Trust, a division of the Maryland Department of Planning. It is located on 560 scenic acres along the Patuxent River and the St. Leonard Creek in St. Leonard, Calvert County, Maryland.

For more information on the series visit: http://www.jefpat.org or http://www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.

Otter Lending a Hand

The Calvert Marine Museum sent me a cute picture of their otter mascot taking a sledge hammer to a wall to showcase their new renovation. Due to the extraordinary growth of both the museum’s educational programs and the number of events taking place inside the museum, they are expanding their facilities.

Over the last 40 years, the Calvert Marine Museum has grown from a modest community-based operation created to preserve and celebrate Solomon’s history to a premier educational facility serving a regional and national audience. Since opening in 1970, nearly two million visitors have visited the museum, and they expect another million during the next ten years.

The museum and Museum Store are open and will remain so until January 1, 2014. The renovation is estimated to be completed in March 2014.

Best Egg Hunt Ever!

Everyone seems to have egg hunts in spring, and let’s face it; they’re all variations on a theme. If you’re looking for a family outing that will provide the kids with something more than a sugar rush, check out the Fossil Egg Hunt at the Calvert Marine Museum on March 30 starting at 10:30 a.m. Designed for children age 3-8, the kids are divided into two groups to give everyone a fair chance at the goodies. Best of all, participants get to keep the fossils. Bring your own basket for egg collecting. Free with museum admission.

 Also at the CalvertMarineMuseum, enjoy learning about otters, the merry prankster of the mammal world, on April 1 for a fun April Fools Day activity. Sign up for the Otter Breakfast and learn about otter enrichment, habitat, and the mischief these mammals get into with their playful curiosity. Go behind the scenes to talk with a keeper and observe a feeding. 

A continental breakfast will be provided as part of the fee. Children must be at least 8 years old and accompanied by an adult to participate. Space is limited, pre-registration required. Fee is $15 per person, $10 for members and includes museum admission. Call 410-326-2042 ext. 41 to register.  Program begins at 9 a.m.

 Calvert Marine Museum Society

Solomons, MD

410-326-2042

www.calvertmarinemuseum.com

Image Source: Calvert Marine Museum

HISTORIC OYSTER WARS CANNON ON DISPLAY IN SOLOMONS Now through September 30, 2012

Photo courtesy of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has partnered with the Calvert Marine Museum to exhibit a unique cannon from the oyster wars in the lobby now through September 30, 2012. The original cannon was acquired by DNR and used by the Maryland State Oyster Police Force to control the oyster harvest in the Chesapeake Bay in the 1900s. Gregory Bartles, Lieutenant Commander of Area 8 and Agency Historian was instrumental in securing the cannon and seeing that it is made accessible to the public. He will give a talk on Thursday, August 2 at 7:00 p.m. in the museum auditorium. Admission is FREE.

“This cannon is not only a terrific piece of Maryland history, but a representation of our State’s commitment to protecting our valuable natural resources,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “We are honored to preserve this great artifact for the enjoyment of future generations of Marylanders.”

Acquired in 1868 by Hunter Davidson, the first Commander of the Maryland State Oyster Police Force, the cannon was first installed on the original steam-powered patrol boat of Maryland’s “Oyster Navy,” the Leila. In 1884, this ship was replaced by the Governor R.M. McLane, which fought many spectacular battles against oyster pirates. The McLane was equipped with a 12-pound Dahlgreen boat howitzer in 1888. While accounts are not definitive, authorities believe that this short barreled gun may have been the original cannon from the Leila

For more information about the history of the cannon and the oyster wars, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/mdconservationhistory/Oyster_Wars_Cannon.asp.

The museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Museum members and children under 5 are always admitted free. Admission is $7.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors and military with valid I.D., and $2.00 for children ages 5 – 12.  For more information about the museum, upcoming events, or membership, visit the website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call 410-326-2042.

CalvertMarineMuseum Society

Solomons, MD

www.calvertmarinemuseum.com

Kalmar Nyckel Tall Ship of Delaware, Visits Solomons Island

Photo by Andrew Hanna

The Calvert Marine Museum is hosting the Kalmar Nyckel, The Tall Ship of Delaware, on June 22 – 24 in Solomons, Maryland. This queen of the tall ship fleet will offer public sails and tours.

The Kalmar Nyckel is an authentic re-creation of a 17th century Dutch built vessel, one of America’s pioneering “Tall Ships” that brought some of the earliest permanent settlers to the colonies. The ship’s historical accuracy reflects the sailing methodology of the early 1600’s, which passengers can experience for themselves.  The ship has 8 sails, 8 miles of rigging, and a crew of dedicated volunteer sailors to make the trip exciting for all. 

The original Kalmar Nyckel sailed from Sweden to the New World in 1638, leaving her passengers to establish the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley, at Fort Christina in present-day Wilmington, Delaware. Because of her historical accuracy, Kalmar Nyckel was featured last year in National Geographic Television’s “Return of the Ghost Ship,” which aired in 124 countries around the world.   This documentary explored a “ghost ship” from the 1630’s found intact at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. 

The Kalmar Nyckel will dock at Watermen’s Wharf, Solomons, located next to the Chesapeake Biological Lab Visitors Center and will offer pirate sails on Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and sunset sails from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, Kalmar Nyckel will host free ship tours open to the public from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and a pirate sail from 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. All sails are $60 for adults and $40 for ages 17 and younger. For tickets and more information, please contact the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation office at (302) 429-7447 (toll free at 866-659-7447) or http://www.kalmarnyckel.org. 

Calvert Marine Museum

Solomons, MD

www.calvertmarinemuseum.com