CHESTERTOWN — In 1957, Kenneth Walley opened the Walley Funeral Home at 207 Calvert St. in Chestertown, achieving his high school ambition of becoming a mortician.
As the first Black mortician and embalmer in Kent County, Walley served his community with care and compassion, operating his business for decades out of a modest building that today stands on the property of Kent County Public Library’s Chestertown branch.
After many years of serving as a meeting space, the building closed to the public because of the need for major repairs.
Thanks to grant funding through the Maryland Heritage Areas Grant Program, the structure has been renovated and is ready to reopen for use.
As part of its observance of National Library Week, with a focus on local history, Kent County Public Library is inviting the public to celebrate the revitalization of the building and the legacy of the Walley Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 22 from 4 to 6 p.m.
This is an opportunity to tour the building, learn its history as the location of a respected and long-standing Black-owned business and pay tribute to the rich heritage of the Walley family with Elise Walley, Kenneth’s daughter and the current owner of Walley Funeral Service.
What is advertised as a family-friendly celebration, from from 4 to 5:30 p.m., will include barbecue and brisket from Phat Daddy’s, music featuring Karen Somerville, building tours and a Chesapeake Heartland exhibit.
From 5:30 to 6 p.m., as part of “honoring the legacy,” the building will be blessed by the Rev. Bobby Brown and library Executive Director Natalie Hagan will talk about plans to create exhibits to continue to tell the story of the building and a garden area dedicated to Kenneth Walley.
