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An Author Talk with Erika Sturgill-Quesenbery about her new bookOn the 71st anniversary of the dramatic explosion at the “Defense Plant” that terrified the town of Chestertown, Erika Sturgill-Quesenbery will discuss the explosion, her book, and her research process. Quesenbery’s narrative brings the history to life with detailed first-person accounts from Chestertown residents, plant workers, and government leaders.
Representatives from the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company have been invited to attend in honor of the first responders who rushed to the scene that day.
Join us to learn more about this devastating event in Chestertown’s history, and to hear the stories of people who were there. And, if you remember the explosion, please come and share your memories, 71 years later.
Thanks to The Bookplate for partnering with the Historical Society to make the book available for sale at this event.
Free and open to the public.
Learn more about The Historical Society.
For the first time since it was originally produced in 1985, new sites have been added to the tour, increasing the total number of stops from 24 to 29. Significant sites of African American history have been added, including Jane’s 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.
All the additions have stories to tell of how people lived in Chestertown in earlier eras, to offer “a deeper look at the town of Chestertown, how it grew, and how it’s changed over time,” in the words of Ashley Flory, who, along with Michelle Carroll, and Barbara Jorgenson collaborated on the project, with special assistance from Carol Combs.
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.
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.
