Not a Member? Not a Problem!

We are all really excited about the 2014 Riverside WineFest coming up this weekend!

 

Among the new things that you will be seeing, you won't be able to miss these black t-shirts worn by many of the Sotterley ladies!

 

 

So what's it all about?

One of the ways that Sotterley is able to stay open to the public and continue to offer important educational programming, fantastic special events, and exquisite site rentals is through Membership.

And because your support makes a BIG difference,

we gladly offer the following 

EXCITING Member Benefits 

as our way of thanking YOU!
 

· $10 Discount on WineFest tickets on October 4th or 5th!

· Access to our exclusive Membership Tent down on the field during WineFest!

· 10% Discount on Sotterley Museum Shop items down on the field during WineFest!

· Discounts on other Sotterley events, including the wildly popular Ghosts of Sotterley starting in 2 weeks! (Member Discount Night 10/23)

· Invitation to Members’ Night - a fantastically fun evening of food, wine and Sotterley Christmas Traditions by Candlelight tours!

· Unlimited access to the site and pet-friendly trails!
 

 

To become part of the Sotterley family
through Membership, please click here

 

or

 

look for the Sotterley ladies in these black t-shirts
at WineFest this weekend
and we will sign you up on the spot!

 

Thank you, current and future members of Sotterley!

 

Making History in October!

Celebrate the Best of Maryland in the Breathtaking Setting

of this National Historic Landmark! 

 

October 4 & 5, 2014     Noon - 6:00 p.m. both days

The 12th Annual Riverside WineFest at Sotterley is coming up on Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and 5, 2014, celebrating the very best of over 20 Maryland wineries in the breathtaking setting of this National Historic Landmark! Combining fun and education, guests come to the place where wine flows freely, live music is jamming, kids enjoy their own play area, engaging demonstrations, artists are selling their exquisite creations, food is scrumptious, and the 1703 Plantation House Mini Tours and the Colonial Revival Garden Tours are FREE. 

 

Stop by the Warehouse to see the creations by the artisans from Fuzzy Farmer. In the historic Barn, artists from The Color & Light Society will be creating, displaying, and selling their treasures. As an added bonus, Southern Maryland Radio celebs T-Bone & Heather of Star 98.3 FM will be here on Saturday.

 

PRICING:

 

Discount Tickets may be purchased in advance for a discounted price

of $20 through September 28th - BUY Online Only CLICK HERE!

$25 at the gate

 

But WAIT! Sotterley Members pay only $15 at the gate!

Become a Sotterley Member! Click HERE!

Individual Level (Limit 1 ticket)

Family Level (Limit 2 tickets)

Patron Level (Limit 4 tickets)

Sponsor Level (Limit 6 tickets)

Preserver Level & above (Limit 8 tickets)

 

$15 for designated drivers

$5 for children ages 6 - 20; FREE for children under six years old

$15 for existing Sotterley Members at the gate only

  

See you at WineFest!

______________________________________________

 

ADVANCE Reservations Required - No Walk-ins

This year's Ghosts of Sotterley, "Reapers in Red Coats: The Ghosts of Sotterley 1814" will run on October 17, 18, 23, 24 & 25 with first performances beginning at 7:00 p.m. Prepare to encounter both the earthly inhabitants of the era and those not of this earth on this historical and spooky outdoor walking tour/production!

Though war rages around the sleepy plantation of Sotterley, and the ravages and carnage of battle are evident, life still goes on. Lovers meet, slaves dream of freedom, mothers mourn the loss of husbands and children, and soldiers, far from home, look for comfort and companionship. Take a trip back in time and witness the tears, laughter, and sorrows during the tumultuous year of 1814.

Advance reservations are required.

Tickets are $15 per person and may be purchased online: CLICK HERE !!!

Group rates are available by calling our office 301-373-2280.

NEW! Exclusively for Sotterley Members! Pay only $10 per person for performances on Thursday, October 23rd! Advance reservations required - call 301-373-2280! Another benefit of membership!

 

 Become a Sotterley Member by clicking HERE!

Discounts and specials throughout the year just for you!

Ghosts of Sotterley may not be suitable for young children.
Dress appropriately for this spooky outdoor walking tour/production.
NO refunds - held rain or shine.

____________________________________________________________________

 

Final Speaker Series Event for 2014!

 

Sandy Cannon-Brown  
"SPAT: Bringing Oysters Back 

to the Chesapeake Bay"

Wednesday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the Barn

After centuries of over-harvesting, and recurring bouts of devastating diseases, oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay plummeted along with the profits of the industry and the health of the Bay.  In 2013, more than a billion hatchery-raised baby oysters were added to the Bay and new breeds of disease-resistant, meatier, faster-growing oysters are thriving in commercial aquaculture. Culture and ecology clash in this captivating story about one of the Bay's most important critters. "SPAT: Bringing Oysters Back to the Chesapeake Bay" is directed and produced by Sandy Cannon-Brown, who is passionate about the vitality of ecosystems and the protection and health of their inhabitants.

 

Ms. Canon-Brown's personal awards include the prestigious Woman of Vision award from Women in Film & Video and Special Achievement Awards for script writing and directing from TIVA (Television, Internet and Video Association of DC). She has also earned dozens of top awards in international festivals.

 

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.

 

See you at Sotterley!

 

Fantastic "R" Month Presentation & Film!

Final Speaker Series Presentation

 

 

 Sandy Cannon-Brown  

 

"SPAT: Bringing Oysters Back 
to the Chesapeake Bay"

 

Wednesday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the Barn
 

After centuries of over-harvesting, and recurring bouts of devastating diseases, oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay plummeted along with the profits of the industry and the health of the Bay.  In 2013, more than a billion hatchery-raised baby oysters were added to the Bay and new breeds of disease-resistant, meatier, faster-growing oysters are thriving in commercial aquaculture. Culture and ecology clash in this captivating story about one of the Bay’s most important critters. “SPAT: Bringing Oysters Back to the Chesapeake Bay” is directed and produced by Sandy Cannon-Brown, who is passionate about the vitality of ecosystems and the protection and health of their inhabitants.

Ms. Canon-Brown’s personal awards include the prestigious Woman of Vision award from Women in Film & Video and Special Achievement Awards for script writing and directing from TIVA (Television, Internet and Video Association of DC). She has also earned dozens of top awards in international festivals.

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.

 

The Unveiling of Dave Brown’s NEW Sotterley Book

Three years after the publication of his first book entitled, Sotterley: Her People and Their Worlds, Sotterley Trustee Dave Brown will soon unveil his second book George Plater of Sotterley with the companion book The Letters of George Plater. On Friday, November 7^th at 6:30 p.m. the public is invited to attend a Meet the Author and Book Signing event in the Sotterley Warehouse. Once again, Brown is generously contributing all proceeds to benefit Sotterley. This biography will only be available for purchase at Sotterley’s Museum Shop and through the Sotterley website: www.sotterley.org.

Fleshing out a fair assessment of George Plater’s personal character and significant political accomplishments was Brown’s motivation. With little information available about the sixth Governor of Maryland in the Sotterley archives, Brown had his work cut out for him as he began a three year journey of research to breathe some life into a largely under-studied and underappreciated Maryland Patriot, who was the owner of Sotterley Plantation from 1755 to 1792.

Often running into dead ends, Brown persisted in piecing together documentation of Plater’s life. “Amazingly, information about George Plater’s life and what motivated him to make decisions both political and personal were hard to come by. Although he was a significant figure in late eighteenth century Maryland history, he kept a very low profile,” stated Brown.

According to Brown, George Plater was a product of his time and 18^th century Maryland was a radically different place. He was a senator, lawmaker, husband, tobacco planter, and slave owner. Fortunately, we do have letters and other forms of documentation which provide a basis for understanding his contributions and his character.

Earlier commentaries claiming that Plater was not a man of great consequence, large creative ability, or marked individuality. However, the public record and Plater’s private letters show that he was a modest, gentry gentleman, a member of the Anglican Church, and a dedicated public servant. Although he never played a role in public debates regarding issues of the day, he exercised elite politics wielding his influence behind closed doors. His most notable contributions were as president of the Maryland Senate during the decade of the 1780’s – on his very first day in office he persuaded his colleagues to ratify the Articles of Confederation after a two year stalemate. As the chairman of the state ratification committee, his influence resulted in Maryland becoming the first southern state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. 

Edward C. Papenfuse, Maryland State Archivist (retired) extended high praise about George Plater of Sotterley. “David Brown has written more than a biography of a Maryland aristocrat and political figure.  He has placed his subject squarely in the context of a turbulent era with a mastery of much documentary evidence hitherto unexplored by scholars."

Nancy Easterling, Sotterley’s Executive Director said, “Dave’s hours upon hours of research and writing is appreciated by all. He has generously paid for the printing of both of his books, enabling Sotterley to benefit from the proceeds. His dedication to this National Historic Landmark as an author, a volunteer, and a Sotterley Board Member is appreciated and valued more than I can ever say.”

George Plater of Sotterley - Price: $17.00 
To order, please click here.

The Letters of George Plater 
Available online free of charge - click here.