CHESTERTOWN — On the 71st anniversary of the terrifying explosion at the “Defense Plant” in Chestertown, Erika Quesenbery-Sturgill will discuss the explosion, her new book “Working to Preserve Freedom When Suddenly Taken: The Chestertown Explosion of July 16, 1954,” and her research process.
The author talk is Wednesday, July 16 at 7 p.m. in the Emmanuel Episcopal Church parish hall, 101 North Cross St. in downtown Chestertown.
The event is free and open to the public.
To reserve a seat, see
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/historicalsocietyofkentcounty/1750696.
Quesenbery-Sturgill brings the history to life with detailed first-person accounts from Chestertown residents, plant workers and government leaders.
Representatives from the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company have been invited to attend in honor of the first responders who rushed to the scene that day.
“Join us to learn more about this devastating event in Chestertown’s history, and to hear the stories of people who were there. And, if you remember the explosion, please come and share your memories, 71 years later,” a news release states.
The Bookplate is partnering with the Historical Society of Kent County to make the book available for sale at this event.
This event also is made possible in part by Maryland Humanities.
