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

The Bay Bridge – Our Heritage!
Our Future?

Tuesday March 19, 2024 at Historic Christ Church, Stevensville, MD. Starts at 7 pm.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Chesapeake Bay Bridge

Bay Bridge

The Kent Island Heritage Society will host an informative evening examining a subject that affects us all - The Bay Bridge –a critical part of both our heritage and our future.

The State of Maryland and the Federal Highway Administration have concluded that a new Bay Crossing is needed, and the best location is between Sandy Point and Kent Island. The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is currently involved in “Tier 2” of a 4 Tier study process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Join us on March 19th at 7 pm to learn where we are in the process and what the potential impact could be on Kent Island, as there will be new roadways and infrastructure required for the new Bridge.

Jack Broderick, KIHS President will discuss the historical aspects of the Bridge and the tremendous impact on Kent Island and the Eastern Shore. Heather Lowe, MDTA, Director of Planning and Program Development, who is the Bay
Crossing Project Manager, will share where the State is in the planning process and what the possible options are. Sarah Groesbeck, MDTA Cultural Resources Lead, will review what actions are underway to document and evaluate potential impacts on historic and cultural resources in the Study Area.

There will be ample opportunity for questions, answers, and discussion following the presentations. This is a unique opportunity to learn first-hand what our future may hold, how we may be affected, and how we can be involved.

Kent Island Day is Coming May 18!

Kent Island Day is celebrated the third Saturday of May each year.  Come visit Historic Stevensville, watch the parade, enjoy the musical entertainment, food, and beverages, children's activities, watch artisans create old and new items, visit all our Historic Sites in Stevensville and the Kirwan House Museum and General Store in nearby Chester, see historic exhibits, and check out all the great exhibits from artisans, book authors, non-profits, and more! Learn More

Registering as an Author, Artisan, Crafter, Non-Profit, or Food Vendor?  All the forms and payment options can be found HERE!

KENT ISLAND HERITAGE SOCIETY SCHOLARSHIP - Deadline April 30th!

The Kent Island Heritage Society is offering a $1000 one-year scholarship to a graduating senior from Kent Island High School who plans to attend college. TO BE ELIGIBLE THE APPLICANT MUST: Have a 3.0 GPA or higher, and Have performed community service.

Please submit for review: The application form, a letter of recommendation from a teacher or guidance counselor accompanied by your high school transcript, and a one page essay on the importance of preserving the heritage of Kent Island (the first paragraph of which should contain a brief biographical sketch.)

DEADLINE April 1st!

Download the 2024 KIHS Scholarship form.

Come Visit Us This Spring!

Plan your visits to our historic sites for 2024!  We will once again open our sites on the 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 time for the 2024 Kent Island Day.  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 read the accompanying article and check back here for updates on our progress!

This Beautiful PRS Guitar Could Be Yours!

Do you play guitar, always wanted to learn, or just appreciate a well-made guitar? Stay tuned and learn how this guitar can be yours!  Thanks to PRS Guitars (Stevensville, Kent Island, MD) for donating this beautiful guitar to the Kent Island Heritage Society.  Now it can be yours!  Watch this page for updates!

Shaping a Landscape: The Archaeology and History of People in the Chesapeake.

President Jack Broderick and guest speaker Dr. John Seidel.

Sponsored by the Kent Island Heritage Society and hosted by Friends of Historic Christ Church.  If you missed this excellent lecture about the interaction of people, their culture, and the environment and how it has shaped the Chesapeake Bay, including Kent Island, you can watch it on our YouTube channel which has many other presentations, oral histories, and short videos or you can view it HERE.

You can find out more about Dr. Seidel's work HERE.

For more information on current programs and projects at Washington College's Center for Environment and Society go 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

The Case of the Missing William Claiborne Forts on Kent Island

On Tuesday March 21, 2023 Dr. Matthew McKnight, Chief Archaeologist at the Maryland Historic Trust, travelled to Kent Island, Maryland to speak about the probable locations for William Claiborne’s fortifications.  Like the infamous Oak Island Treasure tantalizing clues have been found but the exact locations are yet to be found.  It will take a partnership between property owners, archaeologists, and the Kent Island Heritage Society to hopefully make new  discoveries.  New technology is available for minimal and non-invasive exploration.  More information about archaeology can be found at the Maryland Historical Trust HERE

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! President Jack Broderick with Geoffrey and Ashley MacLeay of the Macleay Family Endowment. The foundation donated $10,000 to help renovate the train station! Thank you! Without the support of the community it would be impossible to adequately maintain our historic buildings!

Follow our progress HERE.

Volunteers Needed!

We need you!

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!