Our new site is still under construction. Stay tuned!
Open through the end of 2025
The Historical Society of Kent County, Maryland, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the collection and preservation of artifacts, documents, and information that aid in the interpretation of all aspects of Kent County’s history. The Society shares this information through its research library, museum space, programs, publications, and website in order to foster a knowledge and understanding of the shared heritage of our community. The Society supports and encourages the preservation of historic buildings and sites throughout Kent County. Donate
Learn more about The Historical Society.
For the first time since it was originally produced in 1985, new sites were added to the tour in 2024, increasing the total number of stops from 24 to 29. Significant sites of African American history have been added, including Janes United Methodist Church, the Levi Rogers House, and the properties of Thomas Cuff at 104, 106, and 108 Cannon Street. Vernacular houses, which were missing from previous versions of the tour are also now part of the tour.
Ashley Flory, along with Michelle Carroll, and Barbara Jorgenson collaborated on the project, with special assistance from Carol Combs.All the additions have stories to tell about how people lived in Chestertown in earlier eras and, in Flory’s words, offer “a deeper look at the town of Chestertown, how it grew, and how it’s changed over time.”
The revised tour brochures were printed with the generous support of the Kent County Department of Tourism and Economic Development, and are available at the Office of Tourism, the Visitor’s Center on Cross Street, and the Bordley History Center, at 301 High Street. The original architectural tour was commissioned by the Town of Chestertown and written by local historian Robert J.H. Janson-LaPalme. Kathleen White assisted with research, and Bill Ingersoll served as Project Coordinator. The text was subsequently edited in October 2000, and in January 2016.
Please call (410) 778-3499 or email director@kentcountyhistory.org to inquire about setting up a guided tours for your group.
Through the end of 2025:
A new exhibit, the first of its kind in Kent County, explores the heretofore invisible Jewish history in Kent County through the lives of some of the few Jewish families who came to Kent County in the early 1900s. Drawing on first-person narratives and primary-source research, the exhibit explores why these families chose Kent County, how they sustained their cultural and religious traditions, what it meant to grow up Jewish in an isolated rural setting that was sometimes hostile and sometimes warm, and how later generations carried these experiences into the wider world.
We hope that this exhibit will inspire us all to delve into the hopes and dreams – not just of these families – but of other ethnic and immigrant communities among us in Kent County. We honor their presence.
Drop in for a new season of Lunch & Lore, our brown bag lunchtime series featuring informal history conversations, featuring a rotating cast of expert guests, each bringing their own stories, insights and expertise in Kent County lore.
September 4: Joan Andersen – Spy Stories
September 18: Stephanie Gosman – Tidbits from the Museums of Kent
October 2: Darius Johnson & Kate Livie – 5 Amazing Facts About Kent County from Two Locals
October 16: Karen Somerville – The Life and Times of Perry & Clara Anderson of Still Pond
October 30: Amber Englebach – Secrets from Mount Olivet Cemetery
November 6: Darran Tilghman – River Lore
November 20: Airlee Johnson – Leader’s Choice
December 4: Bill Leary – African American history
December 18: Captain Andy McCown – A different perspective on growing up in Chestertown in the 1950s
Museums professional Lana Faber will present a talk about the Library Catalog Project currently underway at the Historical Society, including an update on progress, a look at what’s to come in the coming months, and perhaps some tidbits about the treasures she’s discovered during the project so far. She will also offer a mini-workshop on simple ways to store paper artifacts at home using basic office supplies.
The Historical Society of Kent County Library collection includes thousands of items pertinent to regional history including reference works, manuscript collections, documents, ledgers, maps, genealogies, cemetery records, photographs, and oral histories.
Learn MoreThe Historical Society of Kent County always welcomes new members. You do not have to live locally to join; a number of our members support our efforts from afar. If you are a resident, however, we hope you will not only become a member, but join us at our events and activities, or consider volunteering. We offer a welcoming venue for community involvement for all ages. A donation of $25 is required for an individual membership, and a donation of $40 is required for a family membership. Student memberships are free.
