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.
Latest News!
COVID-19 Update: April 21, 2021
This year's Kent Island Day 2021 has been cancelled due to the current pandemic. However, we are hopeful that later this year we will be able to hold an event to celebrate the reopening of our sites and programs. Stay tuned!
Kent Island Heritage Society docents.
As the pandemic continues, we have extended our closure of all of our sites and activities until adequate protections have been put in place to keep our docents, membership, and visitors safe.
Please visit us virtually and explore what we have to offer online. When we are able to open our sites safely notification will be available on our website; and our Twitter and Facebook accounts which you can access at the top of this page.
Stay healthy and we hope to see you soon!
Did You Ever Wonder What Kent Island Used to Look Like?
View what Kent Island used to look like from the present all the way back to 1937. You'll be amazed! You can even compare two years side by side! Link here.
Zoom to History!
During the Covid-19 Pandemic the Kent island Heritage Society has suspended all in person presentations until further notice, however, we are able to Zoom some of the presentations. Please stay tuned for updates! The Heritage Society has various historical Kent Island presentations available for your school, local organizations, or groups.
Click the link below to read summaries of the historical presentations or download the brochure:
Please allow a month's notice and, if possible, we will provide a speaker from the Heritage Society for that interactive session.
Each presentation runs forty-five minutes to an hour.
The Society works diligently to assist our youth and mature history enthusiasts to acquire an appreciation of Kent Island's place in the history of our state and nation.
Blast from the Past!
While we are waiting for the Covid-19 pandemic to resolve itself enjoy this video from 2012 starring our Nancy Cook (Queen Anne's County Historic Sites Chair) and Linda Collier (curator of the Kirwan House General Store and Museum). Two Minutes of History
Kirwan House Beautification
The Kirwan House general store roof was recently renovated. Look at how beautiful the house looks: ready for some visitors as soon as Covid-19 is under control!
Scholarship Winner
This year the $1000 scholarship was awarded to Steve Kougoures who plans to attend Pennsylvania College of Technology to pursue a degree in welding and metal fabrication engineering. You can read his essay that he submitted as part of the scholarship application in our latest newsletter on page 9 here.
Steve Kougoures
2020 Scholarship Winner
Historic Bank for Sale
The historic Stevensville Bank is up for sale! There was no bank on Kent Island before 1900. With limited resources and a concerted effort a corporation was formed in 1903. The name of the corporation was “The Stevensville Saving Bank of Queen Anne’s Country.” Later in 1912 the name was changed to “The Stevensville Bank of Maryland.” The president of the new corporation was Charles B. Downs. Original bank-directors included: Charles Percy Kemp, Milton Hysore Price, Issac Grollman, B. Harrison Bright, William E. Denny, Sr. Hugh A. Legg, and John Fletcher Ruth.
The Kent Island Heritage Society has submitted a grant to the Maryland Historical Trust to help pay, in part, for the acquisition of the bank. We are planning to create a new heritage tourism center which will provide much needed information for the community and visitors. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting development.
Find out more here.
Bees on Kent Island
Video that accompanies Summer 2020 newsletter article on Bees.
THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES FOR SUPPORTING THE KENT ISLAND HERITAGE SOCIETY'S ACTIVITIES!
A Little Wildflower NurseryChesapeake Light TackleHarris Marine FinancingKentmorr Marina Properties, LLCLundberg BuildersQueenstown Bank of MarylandRosendale Realty
MEET THE NEW BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS FOR 2020
New Board Members and Officers are sworn in at the annual brunch and business meeting.
From left to right: Seated in foreground Lynne Riley-Coleman, Treasurer; Nancy Cook, Recording Secretary; Robert Lowe, Vice President; Lynnda Kratovil, officiant; Jack Broderick, President; Carol Frederick, Corresponding Secretary; Louis Crouch, new Board Member; Linda Moore, new Board Member; Leslie Moore, new Board Member; and Kristin Green, new Board Member. Welcome new Board Members! We look forward to your contributions as we work to promote the heritage of Kent Island.
TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS
The Kent Island Heritage Society, Inc. is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; donations to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law - if the Kent Island Heritage Society has provided no goods or services to the donor in exchange for these donations
Use this link to join or make a donation.
amazon smile!
Do you shop on Amazon.com? Did you know you can link your AmazonSmile purchases to to your favorite registered charity or non-profit organization? The Kent Island Heritage Society Inc. is registered. Simply type in The Kent Island Heritage Society Inc into the search box for ALL Charities and select it!
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.
How do I shop at AmazonSmile?
To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.
Can I use my existing Amazon.com account on AmazonSmile?
Yes, you use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same.
How do I select a charitable organization to support when shopping on AmazonSmile?
On your first visit to AmazonSmile smile.amazon.com, you need to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. We will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation. AmazonSmile will occasionally contact you about donation amounts disbursed to your chosen charity or about the program.
Can I change my charity?
Yes, you can change your charity any time. Your AmazonSmile purchases after the change count towards your newly selected charity. To change your charity, sign in to smile.amazon.com on your desktop or mobile phone browser and simply select “Change your Charity” in “Your Account.”
What charities can I choose from?
You can choose from over one million eligible 501(c)(3) public charitable organizations. We hope you will select The Kent Island Heritage Society Inc.
Historic Stevensville Train Station and Caboose adjacent to the Cray House and Stevensville Bank.
Our Historic Sites are open to the public on the 1st Saturday of every month from April through November, from 12 o'clock noon until 4:00 p.m. with Society docents staffing the sites and providing unique live guided tours appropriate for residents, children, families, students and tourists. Additional tours of the sites may be scheduled by calling 410-758-2502 (Society Board Member Nancy Cook). The Kirwan Store Museum may also be privately scheduled by calling 410-643-2731 (Society Board Member Linda Collier).
We Need Volunteers!!
The Kirwan House, headquarters for the Kent Island Heritage Society
Kirwan House and Museum
There are always little jobs that need doing at our historic sites. If you are so inclined and have a little free time, please contact us. Repair a window pane, water some flowers, paint a chair, rake, wash a window, feed the fish, help out with the fish pond, etc, etc., etc., One time or sometimes, your help is needed. Contact Robert Lowe at kent.island.heritage.society@gmail.com or speak to any Kent Island Heritage Society Board Member. We are grateful for any help you can offer! Thanks!
JOIN THE KENT ISLAND HERITAGE SOCIETY!
Nancy Cook, holding a clay pipe, discusses items used by early inhabitants of Kent Island.
Nancy Cook at Cray House Stevensville MD
We are always interested in having individuals, both young and mature, join the Kent Island Heritage Society. There are many benefits to being a member including the opportunity to learn more about our Kent Island Heritage and support our ongoing activities to preserve the rich history of Maryland's earliest European settlement! Join, you'll be glad you did! For more information go to the Membership/Donate page or contact John L. Conley at 703 216 0449 or concomm@atlanticbb.net.