Final 2012 Performance of "THE CHOICE"

The final 2012 showing of our War of 1812 Living History Event "THE CHOICE - Risking Your Life for Freedom" will be held this Saturday, August 11th. The first two performance times are full, but we do have availability at 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.


Groups of 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.

Would you risk your life for FREEDOM?

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. 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 is now able to share a unique story with a perspective rarely told about the War of 1812.

This event is FREE to the public, but space is limited. Advanced reservations can be made by calling the Sotterley office at 301-373-2280. Walk-ins welcome on a first come, first served basis.

OPEN AUDITIONS for Ghosts and Candlelight!

Call for Actors, Tech, Make-up

for
Two Popular Annual Events

Sotterley Plantation is pleased to announce open auditions for two of our annual signature events: Ghosts of Sotterley and Sotterley Holiday Candlelight.

Auditions will be held at the Sotterley Warehouse on:

Saturday, August 4th 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Tuesday, August 7th 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Tuesday, August 21st 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Saturday, August 25th 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Ghosts of Sotterley 2012 entitled, “1918: Influenza, War, and Restless Spirits,” will run on October 19, 20, 25, 26 & 27th from 7:00 – 10:30 p.m. While restoring Sotterley Plantation to its former glory, owner, Herbert Satterlee disturbs more than the bricks and mortar as the country is in the midst of a flu pandemic and the remains of the Great War. This outdoor production takes place on the Sotterley grounds.

This year’s Sotterley Holiday Candlelight entitled, “From This Day Forward” will run on Thursday, November 29th for Members’ Night and November 30 & December 1st for the general public from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. In this living history production set within the 1703 Plantation House, visitors will encounter Sotterley’s past Christmas seasons and the families who lived and worked here. Share love, laughter and sometimes bittersweet memories at home on the plantation.

For more information, please contact: Linda Tucker Jones, Event Manager at: events@sotterley.org or 301-373-2280.

Final Two Dates for “The Choice – Risking Your Life for Freedom”

The War of 1812 Living History event “The Choice – Risking Your Life for Freedom” debuted at Sotterley in early June, receiving rave reviews from attendees! The second and third showings will be held on Saturdays, July 14th and August 11th at 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Groups of 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.

Would you risk your life for FREEDOM?

 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. 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 is now able to share a unique story with a perspective rarely told about the War of 1812.

This event is FREE to the public, but space is limited. Advanced reservations can be made by calling the Sotterley office at 301-373-2280. Walk-ins welcome on a first come, first served basis.

Civil War Living History - A Definite Success!

Much thanks to the Maryland Historical Society for bringing last Saturday's Civil War Living History event to Sotterley Plantation. Because of their generosity, and that of the Maryland Humanities Council, this performance was free to the public.

Performing artists, Britt Olsen-Ecker and Roderick Howard II, brought to life the stories of two historic Maryland heroes ... and wow-ed the audience! Clara Barton was known as the “Angel of the Battlefield” and was founder of the American Red Cross; her courage and generosity commanded the respect of every soldier. Christian Fleetwood, a Baltimore-born free black man who as a Union soldier willingly risked his life during the Civil War, became one of the first African-American to receive the Medal of Honor for bravery.
 
And much thanks to all who attended!