CHESTERTOWN — The Bookplate will host three authors during Sultana’s Downrigging Festival on Saturday, Nov. 1 — all appearing at The Lawrence Wetlands Preserve, the urban nature center owned and operated by the Sultana Education Foundation.
These events are free and open to the public.
Reservations are not required.
Perhaps, locally, the most well-known of the writers is David Gendell, who at 1 p.m. will discuss his book “The Last Days of the Schooner America: A Lost Icon at The Annapolis Warship Factory.”
The book traces the history of arguably the most famous yacht ever built, from her design, construction and early racing career, through her lesser-known Civil War service and the never-before-told story of her final days and moments on the ground at Annapolis.
“The schooner’s story is set against a vivid picture of the entrepreneurial forces behind the fast, focused rise of the Annapolis Yacht Yard as the United States prepares for and enters World War II,” a news release states.
To bring this unique story to life, Annapolis sailor Gendell delved into archival sources and oral histories and interviewed some of the last living people who saw America at the Annapolis Yacht Yard.
Gendell has an extensive sailboat racing background.
The oldest of three sons, he grew up as a “river rat,” swimming, sailing, crabbing and cruising with his family in and on the Chesapeake Bay.
Gendell earned his Coast Guard captain’s license at age 19.
He first raced from Newport to Bermuda at age 22, one week after graduating from college.
In 1995, he cofounded SpinSheet, a Chesapeake Bay sailing magazine, and served as editor for 12 years.
In 2004, he cofounded PropTalk, a Chesapeake Bay powerboating magazine.
Both magazines remain in production.
Starting off at 11 a.m, author Letitia B. Burton will discuss her book, “Soar: The Incredible Journey of Hendrix and Ryder.” Winner of the Benjamin Franklin Silver Award for Independent Publishers, this middle grade book follows twin osprey brothers on a migration journey.
At 3 p.m. Thomas Guay will discuss his historic novel, “Chesapeake Bound: Sailing to Revolution,” a story of immigrants looking for adventure, advancement, love and, most of all, a sense of belonging in the Colonies.
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For more event details, call The Bookplate at 410-778-4167 or email contact@thebookplate.net.
The Lawrence Wetlands Preserve is a walk-in facility located at 301 South Mill St. in downtown Chestertown.
There is no on-site parking. Visitors are encouraged to park in the public lots in the 300-block of Cannon Street or on the surrounding streets.
