CHESTERTOWN — Lucy Maddox, professor emeritus of history and American Studies at Georgetown University and the 2024–25 Patrick Henry History Fellow at Washington College’s Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, is the featured speaker for what has been described as “a thought-provoking exploration of Kent County’s past” on Saturday, Aug. 2.
The program, free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Historical Society of Kent County and is made possible in part by Maryland Humanities.
The author talk will be held in the parish hall of Emmanuel Episcopal Church (101 Cross St.) in downtown Chestertown, beginning at 2 p.m.
To reserve a seat, call 410-778-3499 or visit www.kentcountyhistory.org.
Maddox’s talk will draw from her book in progress, tentatively titled “A Small Place in the Country.”
The “small place” is the Eastern Shore, especially Kent County, and the “country” refers to both the rural nature of this area and to its place within the history and culture of the United States.
According to a news release, Maddox’s book tells the story of a series of racially motivated events in the county in the 1850s, including the tarring and feathering of one white man and one Black woman.
The fuller story of what led up to those events and what followed includes the experience of many people, Black and white, named and unnamed, who played key roles in resisting the racial politics of the day, but whose stories have been obscured over the years.
The fruits of their resistance can be seen today in the resilience of Kent County families, churches and communities, the news release states.
“We’re delighted to welcome Dr. Maddox as part of our continuing effort to share Kent County’s history,” historical society Executive Director Maria Wood said in the news release.
Wood said Maddox’s “work contributes new knowledge and analysis to the community conversation earlier this summer at ‘We’re Still Here: Black Countryside Communities in Kent County’ and which will continue with the annual Legacy Day celebration in August.”
Maddox is an award-winning historian and author of six books, including “The People of Rose Hill: Black and White Life on a Maryland Plantation” and “The Parker Sisters: A Border Kidnapping.”
Her scholarship has focused on American history, race and culture, and her work has been published by Oxford, Cornell and Johns Hopkins University presses.
A former editor of American Quarterly and a longtime faculty member at Georgetown University, Maddox has lectured nationally and internationally and has served on numerous boards, including the Historical Society of Kent County.
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The Historical Society of Kent County is dedicated to preserving, protecting and sharing the rich history of Kent County (Maryland) through its museum, research library, exhibits and programs.
The public is invited to visit the Bordley History Center at 301 High St. in downtown Chestertown, attend events and consider getting involved as a member or volunteer.
Membership benefits include unlimited use of the genealogy and research library by appointment, a discount on books in the museum gift shop and invitations to members-only events.
A donation of $25 is recommended for individual memberships, and $40 for families. Student memberships are always free.
For more information, visit www.kentcountyhistory.org or email admin@kentcountyhistory.org.
