War of 1812 Living History Events

Sotterley has set dates for our War of 1812 Living History, “The Choice - Risking Your Life for Freedom” written by Dale Jones of Making History Connections and to be directed by Dawna Diaz. The events will kick-off the three-year national bicentennial commemoration of this war. “The Choice” will take place on June 9th, July 14th, and August 11th, with several showings of the performance on each event date: 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.

In FY2011, Sotterley was awarded grants from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, the Maryland Humanities Council, and the Southern Maryland Heritage Area Consortium to create a living history script from Sotterley’s unique story of the War of 1812, as well as the costuming and props needed for the production. When the script and costuming were completed it was time to begin production, and Old Line Bank stepped forward to generously sponsor the production phase of this project.

Due to the support from these three organizations, Sotterley will now be able to share a unique story with a perspective rarely told about the War of 1812. The war with the British brought hardship to the plantation but a chance at freedom for the enslaved. At the living history presentations you will meet the people who lived and labored at Sotterley during the summer of 1814. Come to one of our events and be a part of the drama as slaves must make a difficult and daring choice. What will you decide?

Now a TWO-DAY Event! Plant Sale & Free Plant Exchange!

April 28 & 29th, 2012
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sunday from Noon - 3:00 p.m.

Celebrating the 14th Annual Plant Sale and Free Plant Exchange with something NEW - an extra day!

The popularity of this event has grown significantly over the years and the dedicated Sotterley Garden Guild has just announced that they will be open for business on both Saturday and Sunday of that weekend. We invite you to revel in the wonders of springtime!

The Plant Sale, sponsored by the Sotterley Garden Guild, will run on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on Sunday from Noon to 3:00 p.m. Because of their dedication to this National Historic Landmark, these nurturing volunteers have not only raised thousands of dollars in support of Sotterley Plantation, but they are also responsible for the maintenance of the exquisite Colonial Revival Garden. Their passion for beauty is evident in the smallest of details, so take the opportunity to appreciate their horticultural artistry!

The Free Plant Exchange will run on Saturday only from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. Your plants in exchange for other annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, shrubs, trees, bulbs and seeds!

For more information on upcoming Sotterley Plantation events, visit our website at www.sotterley.org.
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Blue Wind Gourmet Donates Afternoon Wine Tasting Event

Rob Plant and Blue Wind Gourmet came to Historic Sotterley with an offer to completely donate an exclusive wine tasting event to be held at Sotterley. The proceeds from those who attended would then go completely to Sotterley Plantation. We were thrilled to accept this amazingly generous offer and knew that an event this special could only take place within the 1703 Plantation House itself. Normally only open for guided tours and Sotterley Holiday Candlelight, the 1703 Plantation House was the perfect backdrop in which to taste the premium red wines and wonderful hors d’oeuvres pairings which Rob selected for the afternoon.

The sell-out event took place yesterday, and it was a wonderful and memorable afternoon filled with exceptional wines, a variety of fabulous food and great company. This event was yet another example of how a charitable and giving community stands behind Sotterley and makes its successes possible.

Thank you, Rob and Blue Wind Gourmet!

Our Heartfelt Thanks

As our site continues to recover from Hurricane Irene, we cannot thank enough each and every person enough who so generously donated to Sotterley in our hour of greatest need. We want for you to know what a profound difference you made by stepping forward and showing how much you care about our site, all that it represents, and the place it holds in our community. Sotterley’s continued existence and recovery will truly be due to your generosity.

From the Board of Trustees, the Staff, the Volunteers, and all who love Sotterley Plantation, we thank you.

Dr. and Mrs. Mark Adelman
Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Aldridge
Dr. Daniel Alexander
Mr. and Mrs. David W. Allen
Mr. and Mrs. William T. Armstrong
Askey, Askey & Associates, CPA
Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Barnes
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond S. Bednarcik, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ernest Bell, II
Mr. and Mrs. Paul L. Berry
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald F. Birch
Mr. and Mrs. Frank S. Black, III
Mr. and Mrs. Francis R. Bodine
RADM & Mrs. Donald Boecker
Ms. Jacqueline G. Bond
Mr. and Mrs. John Bone
Mrs. Garnett W. Bow
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Bowes
Ms. Joan L. Bowling
Ms. Mary Anne Bowman
Mr. Joseph Bozick
Ms. Janice Briscoe and Mr. Samuel Baldwin
Mr. John H. Briscoe, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Briscoe
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Brock
Mr. and Mrs. Alan D. Brown
Buckler Electric, LLC
Mrs. Joan Burroughs
Mr. and Mrs. David Butler
Calvert Garden Club
Mr. John F. Carter, II
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh T. Cassidy
Cedar Point Federal Credit Union
Chesapeake Garden Club
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Citro
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Y. Clagett
Mr. Jeffrey Clark
Ms. Judith Clark
Mr. and Mrs. George Cohen
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Cole
Community Bank of Tri-County
Ms. Christa Conant
Ms. Margot Cook
Ms. Sally Costa
Mr. Thomas K. Crickmer
CSC Applied Technologies
Mr. Bruce Dailey
Mrs. Jeanne Davis
Mr. and Mrs. Norman Dawley
Mr. and Mrs. Ford L. Dean
Capt. and Mrs. Martin Deppe
ADM and Mrs. Paul W. Dillingham, Jr.
Mrs. Ruth L. Dix
Mrs. Nancy Dodge
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel A. Donohue
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Dose'
Mrs. Lucile E. Doyle
Mr. and Mrs. Jay Duke
Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Dunlap
Dyson Building Center
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen M. Elchenko
Elon University Class of 2008
Ms. Eileen Emmet
Mr. Simon Eristoff
Mrs. Janice Ewell
Mr. and Mrs. Whit Field
Ms. Sally Fiske
Drs. Thomas and Suzanne Fitzpatrick
Mr. Carl Fleischhauer and Ms. Paula Johnson
Ms. Laurie Ford
Mrs. Pamela Freeman
Ms. Carol Galaty
Ms. Doreen Gantz
Mr. and Mrs. John F. Gardiner, Jr.
Mrs. Adriana Gillaspy
Mr. and Mrs. Gerard G. Gleckel
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Goldsmith
Ms. Lynne Goldstein
Mr. Charles Grace
Ms. Bonnie Green
Mr. and Mrs. Francis M. Greenwell
Dr. and Mrs. Eugene Guazzo
Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Guy
Mr. Donald Halloway
Mr. Albert H. Hamilton
Ms. Cynthia Hamilton
Ms. Laura Hammett
Ms. Elizabeth Hannold
Mr. Brian Hardman
Ms. Georgeann F. W. Hayes
Ms. Alma Hays
Dr. Gita S. van Heerden
Ms. Mary Heibel
Mr. Aaron Heinsman
Mr. John Hetrick
Mr. and Mrs. James Hooper
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Houston
Mr. and Mrs. James H. Howard
Ms. Patricia Hughes
In Stitches Needlework, Inc.
Inger, McCabe, Elliott IME-LTD.
Mr. Dale Jones
Hon. and Mrs. Marvin S. Kaminetz
Ms. Jeanette Kaufman
Mr. and Mrs. Alan P. Keeny, Jr.
Mrs. Verlinda Keith
Ms. Frances L. Kilcullen and Mr. Leonard Lozen
Dr. Julia A. King and Mr. Raymond J. Cannetti
Ms. Deborah Kipple
Ms. Erin Knight
Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Kocen
Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Kohn
Mrs. Mary P. Kukla
Ms. Florence Lanham
Mr. Howard Lennox
Mr. and Mrs. Larry R. Loudermilk
Mrs. Rebecca MacDonald
Daughters of the American Revolution Major Wm Thomas Chapter
Mr. and Mrs. George Mallinckrodt
Marion & William O.E. Sterling Fund
Mr. and Mrs. Davide C. Marney
Ms. Juanita Marsh
Maryland Land Title Association
Ms. Barbara Mason
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Matchett
Mr. and Mrs. John J. McAllister, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Leander McCormick-Goodhart
Ms. Dolores McDonald
Ms. Sally McGrath
Mr. and Mrs. Norman McGuire
Ms. Martha Ann McIntyre
Ms. Pamela McIntyre
Mr. Ed McManus
Dr. and Mrs. Donald McNellis
Mr. Gary James Meekins
Ms. Jacquelyn V. Meiser
Hon. and Mrs. Peter Messitte
Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Middleton
Ms. L. Millette
Mr. and Mrs. John Mitchell
Mr. and Mrs. William C. Moody
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Morrissette
Ms. Barbara Naef
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Nelson
Ms. Christine Neurauter
Mr. and Mrs. R. Kendall Nottingham
Mr. and Mrs. John Parker
Mrs. Catherine Parlett
Mrs. Betty B. Peterkin
Ms. Lois M. Plunkert and Mr. Gerald J. Storch
Mr. and Mrs. James Raggets
Mr. and Mrs. Robert I. Randall
Dr. and Mrs. John W. Roache
Mrs. Janet B. Rowland
Ms. Anne Rullman
Mr. William J. Rutter
Mr. David A. Ryan
Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Satterly
Ms. Sarah Scheible
Mr. Bill Schmalgemeyer and Ms. Kay Duvall
Ms. Donna Schneider
Mr. Gary Thomas Scott
Ms. Lindsey Seaton
Ms. Jocelyn Secker-Walker
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Segar, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Truman T. Semans
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis A. Shoemaker
Ms. Eleanor F. Slater
Ms. Margaret T. Slingluff
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Smolinski
Mrs. Louise K. Snell
Society of the Colonial Wars in the State of Maryland
Ms. Brittany Spalding
St. Mary's College History Club
St. Mary's County Garden Club
Ms. Barbara H. Stanton
Ms. Linda Stedman Montague
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stein
Dr. and Mrs. L. Tomlin Stevens
Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Stiles
Mr. and Mrs. Harry E Storck
Mr. Robert Struth
Mrs. Ann Allston Boyce
Ms. Merideth Taylor and Mr. Robert Lewis
Dr. and Mrs. Robert L. Taylor
Mr. and Mrs. J. Richard Thomas, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tinari
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Tiralla
Mr. Harry Tollerton
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Trentman
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Turner, III
Mr. Jack G. Upton
Ms. Laura E. Verge
W. M. Davis, Inc.
Ms. Tara Wagner
Ms. Denise Watson
Ms. Samantha Watters
Ms. Katie Watts
Mr. Bruce Weden
Ms. Jessica Wells
Wildes-Spirit Design & Printing
Mr. Jack Wiley and Ms. Linda Goddard-Wiley
Mrs. Annette H. Wilfong
Mrs. Helen Crettier Wilkes
Mr. and Mrs. J. Blacklock Wills
Capt. and Mrs. Richard V. Wilson, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wilson
Mr. and Mrs. Steve and Beverly Wilson
Ms. Leigh Wolf
Wolf Maryles & Associates LLC
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer F. Wolfrey
Mr. Richard Wood
Mr. Melrose Woodward
Ms. Christine R. Wray and Mr. John E. Felicitas

Donations for a New Network Keeps Sotterley Up and Running

After an already challenging fall, our network computers finally started to give up the ghost at the end of the year and we knew that its days were limited. In on a white horse rode Community Bank of Tri-County, W. M. Davis, Inc., and G. S. Proctor and Associates, Inc. Community Bank donated network servers that were no longer needed for their organization, and W. M. Davis and G. S. Proctor provided the funds necessary to retrofit the computers for Sotterley’s needs. All three companies are long-time supporters of our site, and in our hour of need they once again stepped forward to help. Sotterley may represent 300 years of our shared history, but we still need to be rooted in the 21st century in our office. Our sincere thanks to each of these three organizations for keeping Sotterley up and running!

Buy or Exchange Your Way to a Beautiful Garden!

Plant Sale and Free Plant Exchange
April 28, 2012

Whether you are a novice or an experienced gardener, a long-time resident or new to the area, Sotterley Plantation invites you to revel in the wonders of springtime at the 14th Annual Plant Sale and Free Plant Exchange on Saturday, April 28, 2012.

The Plant Sale, sponsored by the Sotterley Garden Guild, will run from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Because of their dedication to this National Historic Landmark, these nurturing volunteers have not only raised thousands of dollars in support of Sotterley Plantation, but they are also responsible for the maintenance of the exquisite Colonial Revival Garden. Their passion for beauty is evident in the smallest of details, so take the opportunity to appreciate their horticultural artistry!

The Free Plant Exchange will run from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. Your plants in exchange for other annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, shrubs, trees, bulbs and seeds!

For more information on upcoming Sotterley Plantation events, visit our website at www.sotterley.org.

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"From the Ground Up" - 2nd Saturday Series

2nd Saturday Series - “From the Ground Up”
at Sotterley Plantation

Sotterley Plantation is pleased to offer the final presentation of the 2nd Saturday Series entitled, “From the Ground Up.” These specialty tours will run on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.

From the basement to the attic of Sotterley’s 1703 Plantation House there are numerous nooks and crannies rarely seen by most people. Presented by Sotterley’s Restoration Manager, this exclusive tour will reveal how the structure was built and what the various spaces tell us about the over 300 year history.

Advance reservations only. $15 per person. Limited to 12 people per session. Ages 13 and up. Walking required. Purchase tickets online: www.sotterley.org or ticket derby.

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Elizabeth Dowling Taylor, Ph.D. to Kick-off the 2012 Speaker Series

Elizabeth Dowling Taylor, Ph.D.
"A Slave in the White House: Paul Jennings and the Madisons"
Friday, May 4 7:00 p.m. in the Barn

Sotterley Plantation is proud to partner with The Boeing Company in presenting Elizabeth Dowling Taylor, Ph.D. in the kick-off event for the 2012 Speaker Series at Sotterley entitled, “A Slave in the White House: Paul Jennings and the Madisons.”

In her new book, A Slave in the White House: Paul Jennings and the Madisons, Dr. Taylor presents Jennings’s powerful story from slavery to freedom for the first time. She draws provocative portraits of African American life at the Madison plantation and in early Washington. As the President’s slave, he came of age in the White House, and helped save the iconic portrait of George Washington from British torches during the War of 1812. The constant servant in James Madison’s study, he learned by listening in at the feet of the master ~ the foremost political philosopher of the day ~ the theoretical underpinnings that supported his innate yearning for liberty. Through Jennings’s struggles, Taylor explores the relentless challenges of being black in 19th-century America. She also offers bold new perspectives on the characters of James and Dolley Madison by focusing on their private relationships with a courageous man of color who was “enamoured with freedom” and determined to rise.

This event is FREE to the public. Advance reservations are required due to limited seating. Call 301-373-2280 to make your reservation.

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Because of the generous grant and continued support from The Boeing Company, Sotterley Plantation is able to offer this important community outreach, fulfilling its mission of serving as an educational resource and cultural venue while it seeks to preserve, interpret and research the plantation’s diverse cultures and environments through its history.

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Presenters Announced for the 2012 Speaker Series!

Sotterley Plantation is pleased to announce the presenters for the 2012 Speaker Series at Sotterley. An important community outreach, this series is yet another way that this National Historic Landmark fulfills its mission of serving as an educational resource and cultural venue while it seeks to preserve, research, and interpret the plantation’s diverse cultures and environments throughout history.

Because of the ongoing generosity of The Boeing Company, dedicated to promoting education and the arts within the Southern Maryland community, the Speaker Series at Sotterley is free to the public. Due to limited seating, advanced reservations are required. Call 301-373-2280 for reservations.


Elizabeth Dowling Taylor, Ph.D.
“A Slave in the White House: Paul Jennings and the Madisons”
Friday, May 4 7:00 p.m. in the Barn
In her new book, A Slave in the White House: Paul Jennings and the Madisons, Dr. Elizabeth Dowling Taylor presents Jennings’s own story for the first time. She draws provocative portraits of African American life at the Madison plantation and in early Washington and also offers bold new perspectives on the characters of James and Dolley Madison, focusing on their private relationships with a courageous man of color who was “enamoured with freedom” and determined to rise.

Elizabeth Chew, Ph.D. and Rex Ellis, Ph.D.
“Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: An Insider’s View”
Wednesday, May 30 7:00 p.m. in the Barn
Curators Chew and Ellis will present their journey of conceptualizing and producing the exhibition, Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty. Dr. Elizabeth Chew, Curator at Monticello, is involved with research, interpretation, collections, and the history of the Jefferson family and the enslaved community. Dr. Rex Ellis, Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, is responsible for planning, developing, directing, and managing all curatorial collections and educational programs.

Grace Guggenheim & Flo Stone
“A Place in the Land”
Friday, July 27 7:00 p.m. in the Barn
Academy Award Nomination - Documentary Short Subject 1998
CINE - Golden Eagle Award 1999
Earthwatch Institute Film Award - 1999
Worldfest Flagstaff International Film Festival - Gold Award 1998
Grace Guggenheim is President of Guggenheim Productions and Executive Producer of A Place in the Land. This is the story of George Perkins Marsh, Frederick Billings and Laurance S. Rockefeller, three seminal figures in the history of the conservation movement in America. Though they were born generations apart and lived very different lives, the three were connected by a common vision and a common place. Ms. Guggenheim has produced over fifteen documentaries for both television and theatrical release.

Edward Papenfuse, Ph.D.
“The War of 1812 at Sotterley and Southern Maryland”
Sunday, September 9 3:00 p.m. in the Barn
Dr. Edward C. Papenfuse has held the positions of Maryland State Archivist and Commissioner of Land Patents since 1975. As director of the extensive activities of the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis, Dr. Papenfuse is responsible for the Archives’ vast collection of government and private materials and dealing with the materials that the Archives has made available online to the public, especially regarding research on Maryland slaves who fled to the British forces during the War of 1812.

Frank Smith, Ph.D.
“African American Civil War Memorial & Museum”
Sunday, September 30 3:00 p.m. in the Barn
“Without the military help of the black freedmen, the war against the South could not have been won,” declared Abraham Lincoln. African Americans fought in every major campaign and battle during the last two years of the war. Frank Smith, Ph.D. is the founder and director of the African American Civil War Memorial & Museum. Fulfilling a lifelong dream to honor African Americans who fought for freedom as United States Colored Troops, he oversaw the dedication of the African American Civil War Memorial in July 1998.

Michael W. Kauffman
“American Brutus: John Wilkes Booth and the Lincoln Conspiracies”
Friday, November 2 7:00 p.m. in the Barn
Michael W. Kauffman is widely known as the guide for the Booth Escape Route bus tours, and a frequent contributor to television and radio documentaries on the subject. The presentation of this lifelong student of history will focus on what really happened in 1865 and why. His award-winning book, American Brutus: John Wilkes Booth and the Lincoln Conspiracies was named one of the best books of 2004 by the Washington Post, the New York Times, and Slate.com. It was the basis of “The Hunt for John Wilkes Booth,” a two-hour documentary on the History Channel. His latest book, In the Footsteps of an Assassin, takes readers over the 100-mile route of Booth’s escape from Ford’s Theatre to the Garrett Farm.