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Chestertown and Kent County from 1940 – 1995
There’s nothing like going to the movies on a hot summer day. Join us to watch a 1995 film documenting life in Chestertown at two moments in our history.
In 1940, the Kent and Queen Anne’s Hospital Auxiliary produced a silent, black and white film about Chestertown to raise funds for the expansion of the local hospital. At a run time of an hour and a half, it’s a treasure trove of scenes from local life life in pre-World War II Kent County, from streetscapes to fashion, people, businesses, celebrations, and pastimes. A highlight is the children’s pet parade complete with dogs in bonnets, kittens, goats, a duck and at least one raccoon, and more.
Shortly after the film premiered, the world turned upside down on December 7, 1941. Young men joined the fight; the local Red Cross chapter moved to the fore and gas and meat rationing became a way of life. The end of WWII was followed by a period of rapid change: the Korean conflict, McCarthy hearings, the Cold War, the Civil Rights movement, Vietnam, Watergate, and high gas prices. Chestertown, as ever, changed slowly. County schools were eventually desegregated, founding families retained their ties to a colonial past; newcomers arrived, buying and restoring some of the most elegant properties.
Unedited, the 1940 film invites viewers into a silent snapshot of small town life in the era of cars with running boards, ladies in stylish hats, businessmen with starched collars, and schoolboys and girls in knickers and leather aviator helmets or tights, lace-up leather boots, and peter pan collars–all eager to be “in the movie.” The children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of many these students are our friends and neighbors today.
A narrated “sequel” created in 1995 shows Kent County with a thriving economy beginning to focus on heritage tourism, and includes narration and recognition of Kent County notables whose contributions to the community are still well-remembered, including longtime mayors Elmer Horsey and Margo Bailey, among many others. A number of locals share memories and provide their perspectives on Chestertown’s history including commentary on the 1940 film, and their thoughts about where we’ve been, and where they see the community going as of 1995.
