Calvert County, Md., Observes War of 1812 Bicentennial with Star-Spangled Celebration

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md., May 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The War of 1812, which lasted from June 18, 1812, to Feb. 16, 1815, had a major impact on Calvert County, Md. This summer marks the 200^th anniversary of the war's pivotal Southern Maryland battles. Calvert County's Star-Spangled Celebration, with generous support from The Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, commemorates the anniversary with a host of exhibits and events, culminating in a stirring Tall Ship Invasion and the thrilling 1812 Fair and Re-enactment June 21-22.

The 1812 Fair and Re-enactment
Saturday, June 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday, June 22, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, St. Leonard
410-586-8501 • www.jefpat.org

Travel back to the early 1800s to commemorate the Battle of St. Leonard Creek, the largest naval engagement in Maryland's history. Visitors can enjoy 1812 re-enactor encampments, skirmishes and living history. Battle demonstrations will take place Saturday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. On Sunday the battle re-enactment at 2 p.m. will include tall ships that will sail from Solomons earlier in the day.

In addition to the military activities, the event will feature period dance lessons, spinning, weaving, hands-on sewing, knot tying, blacksmith demonstrations, an 1800s fashion talk and much more. There will even be a tightrope walker! Ongoing children's games and activities will give young visitors a chance to play a game of graces or cricket and make a corn husk doll. Music, theater and dance performances as well as cooking and clothing demonstrations will be available all weekend long.

Tavern Night, to be held 6-10 p.m. Saturday, June 21, will feature beer, wine and food for purchase. Live music performed by Ship's Company will complement the tavern atmosphere. Entrance is $10 per person, $8 for Friends of Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum members or guests in period costume. All proceeds will support educational programming at JPPM.

The Tall Ship Invasion
Saturday-Sunday, June 21-22
Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons
410-326-2042 • www.calvertmarinemuseum.com

Tall ships are coming to Solomons! The Calvert Marine Museum has enlisted four tall ships to participate in the celebration of the bicentennial. The ships will start arriving June 17 and will all be docked at various ports around the island by Friday, June 20. The Kalmar Nyckel from Wilmington, Del., will be the first to arrive, unmistakable with its bright blue hull and tall masts, and will dock at Waterman's Wharf. On June 18 The Pride of Baltimore II arrives, docking at the Solomons Island Yacht Club. On June 19 the beautiful schooner Sultana from Chestertown, Md., is scheduled to dock at Zahniser's Yachting Center and the Dove from Historic St. Mary's City will sail into the museum's dock on June 20.

There are many opportunities for public sails and educational programs throughout the week. On Saturday, June 21, the museum is open free to the public and all ships are offering free "Open Ship" tours from 9 to 11 a.m. Free transportation between docking sites will be provided so visitors can park at the museum and move readily from ship to ship. On Sunday, June 22, all ships will sail in convoy up the Patuxent River and anchor offshore at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum to participate in the re-enactment of the Battle of St. Leonard Creek scheduled for 2 p.m. For schedules and details, check the museum's website.

Raffle tickets are also available for a chance to be an observer aboard either The Pride of Baltimore II or Sultana during the battle re-enactment at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum on Sunday, June 22. Tickets are $50 each for five people to board in Solomons and sail to JPPM and back. Just 200 tickets will be sold with two winners to be drawn June 3. Winners need not be present. Tickets and information are available at http://www.calvertchamber.org/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=321.

A series of events and exhibits leading up to the June 21-22 Star-Spangled Celebration will explore Calvert County's rich 19^th century history and the region's role in the War of 1812.

Exhibit – A River Through Time
Calvert Marine Museum

The museum's Maritime Gallery exhibit on the Patuxent River offers insights on how the War of 1812 marked this region. The exhibit features amazing artifacts from the Battle of St. Leonard Creek that were pulled from the bottom of the river.

Historic Sunset Cruises: The War of 1812 Battle of St. Leonard Creek
Saturdays, June 14, July 19, Aug. 9, Sept. 6
5-8 p.m.
Calvert Marine Museum

Visit the actual location of the largest naval battle in Maryland's history with the experts. Dr. Ralph Eshelman and Don Shomette are both published 1812 authors and respected lecturers. The cruise departs from the Calvert Marine Museum on the Wm. B. Tennison and travels up the Patuxent into the mouth of St. Leonard Creek where you will hear the exciting story of local hero Joshua Barney's courageous standoff with the mightiest sea power in the world. A light supper is included and participants are invited to bring their own libations. Fee is $50 per person and reservations are required by the Wednesday prior to the cruise date. For reservations call 410-326-2042, ext. 41.

1812 Remembered: An Audio Tour
Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum

On the "1812 Remembered" audio tour you will learn about some of the causes of the War of 1812, its effects on civilian and military people alike, and the impact of the war on Southern Maryland. With commentary from several experts, the tour takes you step-by-step following signage to key locations on the property. The free tour, accessible via cell phone, is open year round.

Exhibit – Archaeology of the Battle of St. Leonard Creek
Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory
Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum

The shoreline adjacent to the site of the Battle of St. Leonard Creek is now home to the park, which also features the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory (MAC Lab), a state-of-the-art archaeological research, conservation and curation facility. Some of the battle's artifacts found through archaeological surveys are conserved and curated in the MAC Lab. Free lab tours are offered the first Friday of every month at 1 p.m. and every Thursday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., April through November. For information, call 410-586-8554 or email [email protected].

Exhibit – Farmers, Patriots and Traitors: Southern Maryland and the War of 1812
Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum

This engaging look at a pivotal point in local history is located in the Exhibit Barn and is open Saturdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays noon-4 p.m. as well as during special events at the park. The exhibit features artifacts and images that help bring the war to life, such as an antique musket and a short film providing additional War of 1812 facts.

Exhibit – The War of 1812
Wednesdays through Sundays, 1-4 p.m.
Bayside History Museum
410-610-5970 • www.baysidehistorymuseum.org

This jewel of a museum in North Beach now offers an exhibit depicting the War of 1812 and its importance in our history. Replicas of the uniforms worn by the British and Maryland militia are on display. While you are there, amble through airy galleries filled with the rich history of the beaches communities.

Exhibit – Sailor Made: The Return of the Woolies
Opens May 23
Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center
410-326-4640 • www.annmariegarden.org

A woolie is a hand-stitched portrait of a ship created by British seamen between the 1830s and 1880s. Long hours at sea, coupled with the on-the-job knowledge of sewing, gave sailors the time and talent to create these exceptional works of art. This unusual collection is on loan from Donald Berezoski.

On Sunday, Aug. 3, 2-4 p.m., collection owner Don Berezoski will present an informal tour and talk. Free; reservations not required.

For event details, historical snapshots of the conflict and more, visit ChooseCalvert.com/1812 or visit the bicentennial Facebook page.

This event is a joint project of the Friends of Jefferson Patterson Park, the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners and the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce and has been financed in part with state funds from the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, an instrumentality of the State of Maryland.  However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission.

SOURCE Calvert County Department of Economic Development