A Star Spangled Celebration!

A Star Spangled Celebration!

Sunday, July 6th, 2014

Noon ~ 7:30 p.m.

 

Continue your Independence Day weekend at Historic Sotterley as we celebrate our Patriots on Sunday, July 6th from noon – 7:30 p.m.  From 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. your visit includes self-guided grounds tours, strolling the Colonial Revival Gardens, hiking our trails, walk-through tours of our historic 1703 Plantation House, hay rides, scavenger hunt, bring or buy a kite to fly, and you can even buy local at the Sotterley Farmer’s Market!  From 4:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. enjoy raffles, food and spirits for purchase, and a patriotic music concert by the Chesapeake Orchestra Brass Quintet at Sotterley's historic barn. Fun children's activities and great food vendors will be available all day!
 

As a special and sincere “thank you for your service”, all those with a Military ID and their families are invited to celebrate this event free of charge. General Admission: $10 per vehicle.

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

See you at Sotterley!

Making History in June!

Making History in June!

"The Choice: Risking Your Life for Freedom" Living History Event June 7th 10:00 & 11:00 am, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m. June 8th  1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. Part of the The War of 1812 Raiders & Invaders weekend in St. Mary's County. This Living History event is in its third and final year! The War of 1812 with the British brought hardship to the plantation but a chance at freedom for the enslaved. Guests will meet the people who lived and labored at Sotterley during the summer of 1814.  Join us and be a part of the drama as Sotterley's enslaved must make a difficult and daring choice. Do they escape or do they stay? What would you decide? Would you risk your life for FREEDOM? $10.00 per person. For adults, seniors, & children ages 6 & older. Children under 6 are free. Click here to purchase tickets. Gala in the Garden ~ "Mambo in Miami!" June 14th at 6:30 p.m. Our 5th Annual Gala in the Garden is coming up on June 14th, 2014, and after what has been a long winter we are more than ready to "Mambo in Miami"! The Sotterley garden will resonate with distinctive South Beach Art Deco influences, the rhythms of the Miami Sound Machine and Buena Vista Social Club, plus exceptional Latin and Cuban infused cuisine! Silent and Live Auctions! (Check out these fabulous items in advance on our website: www.sotterley.org.) Participation in this important fundraiser allows us to continue our mission of preserving, researching, and interpreting our diverse cultures and environments and to serve the world as an educational, cultural, and community resource.  While the Gala in the Garden supports a mission we all believe in, it's also an opportunity to mix, mingle, and have a great time! Please purchase tickets by June 7th, 2014. $125 per person. Click here for information and to purchase tickets.    Half Price Day for Dad! June 15th from Noon - 4:00 p.m. In honor of Father's Day, all dads will receive the Guided Tour of the 1703 Plantation House at Sotterley Plantation for HALF PRICE on their special day!    Speaker Series #4 June 25th from 7:00 p.m. in The Barn "Junius & Albert's Adventures in the Confederacy" presented by Peter Carlson. The thrilling true story of two reporters swept up in the Civil War, captured and thrown into jail, and their struggle to escape and return home to tell their own extraordinary tale. Carlson's presentation will focus on the long, strange adventure of Junius and Albert. Books will be available for purchase. Sotterley Plantation is proud to partner with The Boeing Company in offering this event FREE to the public. Please call 301-373-2280 to reserve your seat, as space is limited. For more information, please click here. And don't forget the Sotterley Farmer's Market ~ every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ~ See you at Sotterley!

Raiders & Invaders at Sotterley!

Final Performances of 

“THE CHOICE” 
during Raiders & Invaders Weekend

The British are coming! 
The British are coming!

If the thought of time travel has ever appealed to you, then you’re going to enjoy The War of 1812 Raiders & Invaders Weekend in St. Mary’sCounty from June 6^th – 8^th, 2014.  Although there were no major battles fought in our area during that time so long ago, there was plenty of chaos. Get ready for a full weekend of street theater, circus arts, invasion route boat tours, a British Invasion of 1960s music, and Sotterley’s final performances of “The Choice: Risking Your Life for Freedom.”

“During the last two summers, audiences have joined us for “The Choice,” which is the Sotterley story during The War of 1812,” stated Nancy Easterling, Executive Director of Sotterley. “This year will be the third and final year of performances, as we partner with St. Mary’s County Tourism in bringing about the Raiders & Invaders Weekend.”

“The Choice: Risking Your Life for Freedom” performances will run on Saturday, June 7^th  -  10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm, or 3 pm and Sunday, June 8^th  -  1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm. Purchase Tickets Online : www.sotterley.org. $10.00 per person. For adults, seniors, & children ages 6 and older. Children under 6 are free.  Parents please use your own discretion and be considerate of others in the group when making the decision for your child to participate.

Visitors are invited into the Drawing Room of the 1703 Plantation House, where the drama unfolds. British war ships have sailed up the Patuxent River; neighboring farms are being torched to the ground. Sotterley owners John Rousby Plater and his wife Elizabeth have cleared out the household furnishings, desperately trying to figure out their next move. Guests will experience another scene in the 1830’s Slave Cabin, where enslaved house servant, Peregrine bolts into the Slave Cabin, trying to convince Elcie to make the run toward freedom. British naval officer, Commodore Brown arrives on the scene, not only promising freedom to the plantation’s 64 enslaved people, but also presenting a severe ultimatum to the Sotterley owners.

In FY2011, Sotterley was awarded grants from the Maryland Heritage Area 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. Due to the support from these three organizations, Sotterley shares a unique story with a perspective rarely told about the War of 1812.

Click here to purchase tickets!

 

For details on Raiders & Invaders

in St. Mary's County this weekend,

please CLICK HERE!

 

Coming Up THIS Saturday!

 Beginning this Saturday!

We welcome the public to the kick-off of the Sotterley Farmer’s Market – a producer only farmer’s market! All are invited to shop local for homegrown and handcrafted items to include produce, oysters, fresh and dried flowers, furniture, lawn furniture, bird houses, eggs, and honey. Our farmer’s market will run every Saturday between 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. through September 27th, as we continue our over 300 year tradition as a working farm!
 

 

 Make a day of it!

After shopping, visitors may check in at our Visitor Center to enjoy themselves hiking and touring our site – and Sotterley members get in free of charge! Also NEW for 2014, your furry friends are welcome on our nature trails (on a leash, please)!

 The more the merrier!

We are still accepting applications from quality local vendors interested in featuring only locally grown and produced products. Please contact Joe Goldsmith at 301-643-5617 for details about becoming a vendor at the Sotterley Farmer’s Market.

 See you at Sotterley!

 

Speaker Series Event #4 ~ Peter Carlson

“Junius & Albert’s Adventures in

The Confederacy”

at the

Speaker Series at Sotterley

Sotterley Plantation is proud to partner with The Boeing Company in announcing the upcoming 2014 Speaker Series presentation:

Peter Carlson

“Junius & Albert’s Adventures in The Confederacy”

Wednesday, June 25  |  7:00 p.m. in the Barn

The thrilling true story of two reporters swept up in the Civil War, captured and thrown into jail, and their struggle to escape and return home to tell their own extraordinary tale. Junius Browne and Albert Richardson covered the Civil War for the New York Tribune until Confederates captured them as they tried to sneak past Vicksburg on a hay barge. Shuffled from one Rebel prison to another, they escaped and trekked across the snow-covered Appalachians with the help of slaves and pro-Union bushwhackers. Their amazing, long-forgotten odyssey is one of the great escape stories in American history, packed with drama, courage, horrors and heroics, plus moments of antic comedy.

In Junius and Albert’s Adventures in the Confederacy, Peter Carlson has crafted a fast-paced slice of history in the narrative tradition of Laura Hillenbrand, David McCullough and Erik Larson. It is a story about the lifesaving power of friendship and a surreal voyage through the bloody   battlefields, dark prisons and cold mountains of the Civil War. 

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

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 to preserve, research, and interpret Sotterley Plantation’s diverse cultures and environments and to serve the world as an educational, cultural, and community resource.

Super FUN Summer Camp for Your Child!

DEADLINE:

all registrations & payments due by

July 3rd, 2014

 

 

Camp Skipping Stone at Sotterley!

July 8 - 11, 2014  |  9:00 a.m. -  5:00 p.m.

Grades 3 - 6

At Sotterley Plantation, we know exactly how to make learning FUN! From July 8 – 11^th, 2014, we will once again offer “Camp Skipping Stone” for those in Grades 3 ~ 6. The children learn and play the old-fashioned way, with self-direction, imagination, and creativity. Activities are based on children’s choices and interests, development of new skills and site conditions.

Tuition: $140 general public; $130 for the children of Sotterley Members (another benefit of having a Sotterley Membership!). Registration forms available online: www.sotterley.org and are due by July 3, 2014. Space is limited, so don't delay :)

Early Drop-off 8:30 a.m., Late Pick-up until 5:30 p.m. Please be aware that $10 for every 15 minutes will be charged after 5:30 p.m.

See you at Sotterley!

Half Price Day for Dad!

Fathers will receive the Guided Tour

of our 1703 Plantation House

for

HALF PRICE on Father’s Day

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Noon to 4:00 p.m.

We welcome you and your father to stroll the exquisite blooming gardens, walk the plantation grounds and new nature trails, see the historic outbuildings including our original 1830’s Slave Cabin, or picnic out on the lawn while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Patuxent River. Top off the day with buying a memorable gift at the Museum Shop, located in our Visitor Center. It will be a day he will never forget!

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

Train to be a Junior Docent!

Junior Docent Camp!

June 16-17, 2014

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Ages 8 – 18

Are you looking for something fun to do this summer that involves history and interacting with others? We have a perfect opportunity for you! Our Junior Docent Camp will be offered for ages 8 – 18 on June 16 and 17^th, 2014, where you will enhance your communication skills while sharing our rich history and exquisite site with visitors. Upon successful completion, you will become Junior Docents and ambassadors of Sotterley Plantation!

Participants will receive a certificate and will be qualified to volunteer for Junior Docent duty in the summer months and for other volunteer opportunities throughout the year. This unique two-day training camp also qualifies as volunteer hours. 

Cost: $35 per participant

which includes a Sotterley Student membership

or

a $25 credit towards a Sotterley Family membership.

Registration Form is available online:

www.sotterley.org

For more information, please contact:

Jeanne Pirtle, Sotterley Education Director

301-373-2280
e-mail: education@sotterley.org

Let's Make History in MAY!

Making History in May! Sotterley Plantation is OPEN! May 1st ~ October 31st Click here for more information on Guided Tours, Audio Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Group Tours, hours, and admission. Speaker Series #3 Wednesday, May 7th at 7:00 p.m. in The Barn  Sotterley Plantation is proud to partner with The Boeing Company in announcing the upcoming 2014 Speaker Series presentation entitled "The Civil War of 1812: Canada and the Chesapeake" by Alan Taylor, Ph.D. on Wednesday, May 7th at 7:00 p.m. in the Barn. This event is FREE to the public. Advance reservations are required due to limited seating. Call 301-373-2280 to make your reservation. For more information about this Speaker Series event, please click here. Make Mother's Day Memorable! Sunday, May 11th  In honor of Mother's Day on Sunday, May 11, all mothers will receive the Guided Tour of the 1703 Plantation House at Sotterley Plantation for HALF PRICE on their special day! Sotterley Farmer's Market "Where History Meets Healthy!" Saturday, May 24th  We proudly announce the unveiling of the Sotterley Farmer's Market - a producer only farmer's market! Every Saturday between 8:00 am - 12:00 pm from May 24th ~ September 27th the public is invited to the Sotterley Plantation grounds to shop local. ~ Stay Tuned for June Happenings ~ "The Choice: Risking Your Life for Freedom" Living History Event June 7th & 8th  Part of the The War of 1812 Raiders & Invaders weekend! June 7th & 8th - Presentations at various times.   Purchase tickets here. Gala in the Garden ~ "Mambo in Miami!" June 14th  Click here for information and to purchase tickets. Half Price Day for Dad! June 15th  June 15th from Noon - 4:00 p.m. In honor of Father's Day, all dads will receive the Guided Tour of the 1703 Plantation House at Sotterley Plantation for HALF PRICE on their special day! Speaker Series #4 June 25th  June 25th at 7:00 p.m. "Junias & Albert's Adventures in the Confederacy" presented by Peter Carlson.  For more information, please click here.

Pulitzer Prize Winning Author to Appear at Sotterley

Alan Taylor, Ph.D. 

“The Civil War of 1812: Canada and the Chesapeake”

 Wednesday, May 7  |  7:00 p.m. in the Barn

To call the War of 1812 a "civil war," now seems jarring because hindsight has distorted our perspective on the past. Given the later power and prosperity of the United States, we underestimate the fluid uncertainty of the post-revolutionary generation, when the new republic was so precarious and so embattled. We also imagine that the revolution affected a clean break between Americans and Britons as distinct peoples. In fact, the republic and the empire competed for the allegiance of the peoples in North America: native, settler, and immigrant. Americans and Britons spoke the same language and conducted more trade with one another than with other nations, but their overlapping migrations and commerce generated the frictions of competition. The civil war proved fiercest in Upper Canada, where most of the settlers were newcomers from the United States. But partisan and racial divisions rendered the Chesapeake another theater of competition for local support by the British raiders and the American defenders.

Of Taylor’s seven books, the following received these distinguished literary awards: William Cooper's Town won the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for American history - in addition to the Bancroft and Beveridge prizes. American Colonies won the 2001 Gold Medal for Non-Fiction from the Commonwealth Club of California. The Divided Ground won the 2007 Society for Historians of the Early Republic book prize and the 2004-7 Society of the Cincinnati triennial book prize. The Civil War of 1812 won the Empire State History Prize.

Taylor graduated from Colby College in 1977.  He has taught at Boston University and is currently a professor at the University of California at Davis. In August 2014, he will begin to hold the Thomas Jefferson Chair in American History at the University of Virginia.