Did you know that you and your family can visit and receive guided tours of historic sites throughout Queen Anne’s County on the first Saturday of the month starting May 4th (next Saturday) through October? This summer is a great time to learn more about the history of the great State of Maryland!
Fun and educational tours are led by friendly, dedicated, knowledgeable, period-costumed docents from the Kent Island Heritage Society - the same great organization that puts on Kent Island Day, one of my favorite summer celebrations! (This year Kent Island Day is May 18, 2013 – a day of community pride not to be missed).
Many of the buildings, homes and historic sites on the tours are located in the Stevensville, Maryland Historic District. Formerly downtown Stevensville, this area is now home to antique shops, art dealerships, Peace of Cake Bakery and Rustico Wine Bar. Poke around the shops, stop by the bakery for your before-tour eye-opener (coffee & pastry) or the wine bar to celebrate apres tour – make a day of it!
Getting to Stevensville’s Historic District: Point your GPS to the intersection of E. Main Street and Love Point Road in Stevensville, MD 21666. Cockey’s Lane goes directly North from this intersection. Google Map here.
Upcoming Open Site Dates for 2013 are as follows:
May 4th
June 1st
July 6th
August 3rd
September 7th
October 5th
Kent Island tours are from 1pm-4pm. Here are the locations to choose from on Kent Island – lots to see and do!
Cray House, circa 1809. Pictured above.
Cockey’s Lane
Building #14 in Stevensville, Maryland Historic District
This is the oldest house in Stevensville! It was constructed by a ship carpenter using unusual post and plank construction methods. Click here for more information on the Cray House.
Old Stevensville Bank, circa 1906. Pictured above.
Love Point Road
Building #19 in Stevensville, Maryland Historic District
Imagine: for fifty years this was the financial center of Kent Island! Today (like everything else) its business has been acquired by Bank of America. The actual building is being leased by the Kent Island Heritage Society. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. To get there, follow instructions for getting to Stevensville Historic District above.
Old Stevensville Post Office, circa 1877. Pictured above.
408 Love Point Road
Building #18 in Stevensville, Maryland Historic District
There just might be mail waiting for you there when you visit! This building is now owned by the Kent Island Heritage Society. Follow instructions for getting to Stevensville Historic District above. For more about the Post Office, click here.
Stevensville Train Depot, circa 1880. Pictured above.
Cockey’s Lane
Building #15 in Stevensville, Maryland Historic District
This was part of a railroad line running from Queenstown to Lewes, Delaware, but the 1952 opening of the Bay Bridge made this train station obsolete. Learn more about the train station and the people who used it on your tour – kids will love the old-fashioned caboose also on display! Follow instructions for getting to Stevensville Historic District above. For more about the Train Depot, click here.
Historic Christ Church, circa 1880. Pictured above and front doors decorated for a wedding at top of post.
117 East Main Street
Building #11 in Stevensville, Maryland Historic District
This gorgeous church is the oldest on Kent Island, and the oldest continuous Episcopal congregation in the United States! It’s a great example of the Queen Anne style of church architecture. To get there, follow instructions for getting to Stevensville Historic District above. For more about the church, click here.
Broad Creek Cemetery, circa 1652. Sign pictured above.
870 Romancoke Road (Route Eight)
Stevensville, Maryland
The cemetery is currently undergoing archaeological investigation and in the process of being restored. The cornerstones of the church date to 1652, and 12 burial headstones have been found inscribed with dates from 1746 to 1903. The cemetery is open Monday through Saturday 10am-4pm and Sundays 1pm-4pm. Call 410-643-5921 for more information.
Kirwan House, circa 1889
641 Dominion Road Chester, Maryland (Route 552)
The 1890s-era house is elaborately furnished with Victorian-style artifacts from the 1890s and 1920s. There is scant information on the web about this historic home, and I can’t find any pictures. I’ve been there, it’s a neat place and worth visiting. I should have taken pictures – will update as soon as I have some!
Interested in learning more about Maryland and taking a tour of the above historic places? Call 1-888-400-RSVP for more information, or just show up at the location of your choice on the first Saturday of the month at 1pm! You’ll be glad you did.
Check out photos of many, many other historic homes and places on Kent Island here.
Click here to learn about more locations to visit on First Saturdays throughout Queen Anne’s County.
The post Take a Tour of Historic Sites on Kent Island: May 4th-October 5th appeared first on .
