The Kent Island Heritage Society

The Kent Island Heritage Society was founded in 1975 for the purpose of discovering, identifying, restoring and preserving the heritage of Kent Island in Maryland. It works diligently to facilitate the processes by which both its youth and mature history enthusiasts can acquire an appreciation of Kent Island's place in the history of Maryland and of our nation.

Parade
Christ Church and Rectory
Historic Stevensville Bank
Old Stevensville Post Office
Cray House

First Saturdays!

All of our historic houses in downtown Stevensville will be open on the first Saturday of each month from 12-4 (April to November).  Special arrangements can be made for group tours. Contact us by EMAIL or phone at 703-216-0449.

Kirwan House General Store

Newly painted roof!


What do Artifacts Tell Us? The Marks Collection from Love Point on Kent Island.

Dr. Darren Lowery discusses archaeological finds on Kent Island

Dr. Darrin Lowery

On June 25, Dr. Darrin Lowery, our infamous archaeology partner shared his insight into stories Kent Island artifacts, specifically The Marks Collection, can tell us about the early inhabitants of Kent Island . Held in the Historic Christ Church in Historic Stevensville,. Dr. Lowery, arguably the most knowledgeable living expert on Kent Island’s archaeology, discussed what the famous Marks collection of Native American artifacts gathered by the Marks family around Love Point in the early and mid-1900’s can tell us. The collection was documented by Dr. John Stearns of the Natural History Society of Maryland in the 1950’s (see link below). The collection will soon become part of the museum display in our new Kent Island Heritage Center. During his presentation Dr. Lowery explained what those and other artifacts tell us about the Native Americans of Love Point. Watch these pages for updates regarding our new museum at the Kent Island Heritage Center as we near 2025!
Looking for more archaeological information about Kent Island and the Chesapeake Bay region?  Click HERE

Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study: Tier 2 NEPA

On March 19, 2024 Heather Lowe, Planning and Community Outreach Manager Division of Planning and Program Development, and Sarah Groesbeck, Cultural Resources Lead, both of the Maryland Transportation Authority gave a presentation to the Kent Island Heritage Society and the general public at the Historic Christ Church in Stevensville. The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are following a tiered National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process to improve mobility, travel reliability and safety at the existing William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge. A Tier 1 Study was completed which determined, out of 14 possible crossings, the current crossing area from Sandy Point to Kent Island best met the purpose and needs of the initial study. The purpose of the presentation was explain the rationale and the roadmap moving forward to Kent islanders and other concerned citizens regarding the Tier 2 Study.  The entire presentation may be read HERE.

Celebrate our 50th Anniversary of the Kent Island Heritage Society!

Robert Marsteller with KI Heritage Society VP Nancy Cook at Kent Island Day. Image courtesy Doug Bishop, the Kent Island Bay Times.

Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the Kent Island Heritage Society and we invite you to join us as we mark this momentous occasion.  The Kent Island Heritage Society was formed by a group of forward-thinking Kent Islanders in 1975 who recognized the importance of identifying, preserving, and protecting the rich cultural heritage of Kent Island for future generations.  What began with a donation of the Cray House in Historic Stevensville has expanded to include The Old Stevensville Post Office, The Stevensville Train Depot and Caboose, The James E. Kirwan House, General Store and Museum and its farm in Chester, and most recently, Schoolhouse No. 2 which will become The Kent Island Heritage Center.  Besides the historic sites being open the first Saturday of each month from April to November, we will be holding Kent Island Day, an Annual Picnic, and will have a grand opening of the new Kent Island Heritage Center which will house a small museum of unique local exhibits and a research library.  Be sure to watch the pages for updates of all the exciting activities we have planned for 2025!

Come Visit Us This Summer!

Kent Island Heritage Society docents.

Plan your visits to our historic sites for 2024!  Our sites are open on the first Saturday of April to November from 12 noon to 4 pm.  At each site you will learn about its importance in Kent Island history and other intriguing facts about the building and its past owners from one of our docents.  Please read more HERE to learn more about each site.

Another reason to visit is the grand opening of our Kent Island Heritage Center and Research Library.  We are currently renovating Schoolhouse No.2 in Historic Stevensville and tentatively plan to have it open to the public in late 2024 or in early 2025.  We have some exciting and unique exhibits planned that you won't find anywhere else!  And of course we will have a research library which will house our archives currently held at the Queen Anne's County Library on Kent Island.  Please check back here for updates on our progress!

Train Station and Caboose Makeover!

President Jack Broderick with Geoffrey and Ashley MacLeay of the Macleay Family Endowment. The foundation donated an additional $10,000 to help renovate the train station and caboose! Thank you! Without the support of the community, it would be impossible to adequately maintain our historic buildings and provide all that we offer!  We've almost completed the train depot (needs a new roof) and the Caboose is next.  You can follow the progress HERE!

Geoffrey and Ashley MacLeay and Family with President Jack Broderick next to the Train Station before renovations began.

Renovated Train Station

Geoffrey and Ashley MacLeay and Family with President Jack Broderick.

Caboose with removed siding.

Caboose renovation

Caboose renovation nearly complete on the exterior.

Follow our progress HERE.

Thanks to Our Latest Business Sponsors!

Chesapeake Light Tackle
Harris Marine Financing
Kent Island Learning Cooperative
Kentmoor Marina Properties (Life)
Kentmoor Restaurant
Lundberg Builders
Maryland CPR and Safety
Michael Rosendale Realty
The Grooming Place

 

Volunteers Needed!

 

President Jack Robinson and Newsletter Editor and John Conley

Volunteer your time for a great cause!

The Kent Island Heritage Society is in need of volunteers, members and nonmembers alike!  We are always searching for like-minded individuals interested in supporting our mission to discover, identify, restore, and preserve the history and heritage of Maryland’s Kent Island.

Opportunities exist to

  • help maintain historic sites
  • docent historic sites on First Saturdays
  • help with Kent Island Day
  • lend your unique talents to our organization
    • legal
    • financial
    • planning and organizational skills
    • marketing
    • social media
    • graphics and web design
    • decision makers
    • history and genealogical research
    • technology
    • art and entertainment
    • news and grant writing
    • teaching
    • renovations
    • maintenance

To read about our exciting opportunities to volunteer your time towards a worthy cause READ HERE or email interests or questions to [email protected]

Donations

As a non-profit 301(c) organization we depending wholly on the generosity of individuals and the Business Community through memberships and donations (cash and in-kind).  Your contribution to our mission no matter what size helps us continue all of our great programs, events, and maintain our historic sites!  You can donate to us on our Donations Page.  If you are interested in donating items of historical significance or want to contribute funding for a special project please contact us by EMAIL or phone at 703-216-0449.  Thanks for your continued support to preserve our Kent Island heritage and culture!