CHESTERTOWN — The Historical Society of Kent County on First Friday, Oct. 4 will host an open house (5 to 7 p.m.) commemorating the 40th anniversary of the CBS miniseries “SPACE,” which was filmed in Chestertown in 1984.
Based on the James Michener book of the same name, “SPACE” featured Hollywood stars including James Garner, Blair Brown, Beau Bridges, Bruce Dern, Michael York and Harry Hamlin.
Many Chestertown community members appeared as extras, in period costumes and makeup evoking the 1950s. Among them was local photographer Tyler Campbell. During the periods of downtime that are part of any film shoot, he took behind-the-scenes photographs.
The historical society will display 50 or so of these photos, offering an opportunity to see the Kent Countians who participated glammed-up in their Hollywood finery, and how Chestertown looked as a film set.
Additionally, the public is invited to help solve the mystery of “who is who” as many of the people in the photos are currently unidentified.
Other mementos and ephemera from the production also may be exhibited.
The historical society’s Bordley History Center is located at 301 High St. in downtown Chestertown.
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In time to get primed for the World Series, Marty Payne, baseball historian and author of “Baseball on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: 1866-1950,“ will talk about the origins and progression of America’s pastime on the Eastern Shore, a region “acknowledged in the national press as a hotbed of baseball activity,” according to the book’s publisher.
Local sluggers include William “Swish” Nicholson of Chestertown and Jimmie “Double X” Foxx of Sudlersville.
The event will be held 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 at Emmanuel Church’s parish hall, 101 N. Cross St. in downtown Chestertown.
To reserve a seat, so the organizers have a ballpark figure on how many fans to expect, see www.tickettailor.com/events/historicalsocietyofkentcounty/1381944.
Admission is free.
Crackerjacks will be available, along with other light refreshments.
Payne is a member of the Society of American Baseball Research who has researched and written extensively about baseball, with a particular focus on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
A native of St. Michaels, he received his master’s degree from Washington College.
Copies of Payne’s “Baseball on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, 1866-1950” will be available for sale, courtesy of The Bookplate.
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The Historical Society of Kent County invites everyone to consider getting involved as a member and a 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.
Visit www.kentcountyhistory.org for more information, or email admin@kentcountyhistory.org.