Museum Day at Sotterley!

FREE TOURS and Admission

on Museum Day

 

Historic Sotterley will offer free tours and admission to the public on Saturday, September 21st as part of Museum Day, sponsored by the Smithsonian magazine.

 

Museum Day is an annual celebration of boundless curiosity, which brings together museums, zoos and cultural centers from all 50 states to offer free admission to all Museum Day ticket holders. Museum Day represents a national commitment to access, equity and inclusion.

 

The Museum Day ticket provides free admission for two people on Saturday, September 21, 2019. Guests to Historic Sotterley will need to present their complimentary ticket(s) at the Visitor Center. Tickets will be available for the public to download at: www.smithsonianmag.com beginning at midnight on August 15, 2019.

Pirate Gold Just Ahead!

Ghosts of Sotterley 2019

"The Curse of Greenbeard

and the Pirates of the Patuxent!"

October 18, 19, 24, 25 & 26, 2019

Tours begin at 7pm and run every 10 minutes

 

Greenbeard, the the scourge of the seven seas has been ambushed, and with his dying words, has summoned a sea demon to avenge him! Join us at Historic Sotterley to solve the mystery of the death of Greenbeard the pirate. As you walk through the wooded trails under the veil of darkness, you will witness several pirate crews as they go about plundering and pillaging. But stay alert and listen for clues to help solve the mystery of how Greenbeard met his untimely death! Those who solve the mystery by the end of the tour will be richly rewarded with pirate gold from Greenbeard's own treasure chest! A fun-filled, ghostly pirate adventure suitable for the whole family!

 

ADVANCE ONLINE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED!

$15.00 per person (children under 2 are free).

Tour times begin at 7:00 p.m.

NO WALK-INS.

ALL SALES ARE FINAL – No Refunds or changes.

Group rates available for an entire block of time – please contact the office at 301-373-2280. Rain or shine!

 

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE! 

Pickers & Sorters Needed in the Fields!

Paying it Forward

with Growing for Good!

July 27th

8:00 am – 12:30 pm 

 

Call for Volunteers: Harvesters and Sorters Needed! On March 30^th our generous community stepped forward, got dirty, and planted acres of different varieties of potatoes. Historic Sotterley has earmarked this crop for donation to our local food pantries. After testing our fields (in between rain storms!) the time has come to harvest and sort! With our volunteers, together we will “Pay it Forward”, directly supporting families in need in our community.

From the potato fields to our neighbors in the community

Check in will be at our Farmer’s Market.

Note: We recommend hats, gloves, and shoes and clothes you are not afraid to get dirty!

 

CLICK HERE for VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP!

Growing for Good

Growing Together!

Butterfly Week!

Butterfly Week!
August 12 - 16th, 2019
10:00 am - noon

Become a Citizen Scientist and an official Historic Sotterley caterpillar and butterfly counter during Butterfly Week! Every morning during the week of August 12th-16th, come and learn about amazing and resilient caterpillars, moths, and other insects. Hear stories, play games, and seek, find & observe caterpillars and butterflies up close. Create butterfly baths, food and feeders, and mini-butterfly gardens. Many “make and take” activities!

Check in at Visitor Center.

FREE for children under age 6.

$5 per person ages 6 and up, per day.
$65 Purchase family membership and bring your whole family to Sotterley all year! (Excludes certain special events.) Click HERE to become a member! 

Building Bridges to Common Ground

Building Bridges to Common Ground:
Resilience, Remembrance, Honor and Equity

September 5 - 7th

A multiple day event

From September 5th through 7th, 2019, Historic Sotterley will hold a three-day program continuing the 2019 theme and intuitive of Building Bridges to Common Ground: Resilience, Remembrance, Honor and Equity. Speakers, panelists, archeologists, historians, and Sotterley descendants will bring stories and experiences of their collective research and memory of ancestors, both enslaved and free, to modern relevance. This program is made possible in part by a generous grant from Maryland Humanities.

 

Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

Interpreting Difficult History at James Madison's Montpelier

Elizabeth Chew, Vice President of Museum Programs, James Madison’s Montpelier, will discuss The Mere Distinction of Colour, the ground-breaking exhibition on slavery at Montpelier. Winner of six national awards, the exhibition considers slavery in the founding era, the lived experience of enslaved families on James Madison’s plantation, and the legacies of slavery in today’s society. It was organized by Montpelier staff in partnership with descendants of those enslaved by the Madison family.

Friday, September 6, 2019 - Registration 9:00 am

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Session: Power in the Name

Dr. Kenneth Cohen, Curator at the National American History Museum, speaks to colonial and early America’s naming practices among the ruling class and place names of indigenous peoples. TBD, African Studies from TBD speaks to African naming practices of peoples affected by the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and African American naming during slavery to the present day.

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Lunch available for purchase or bring your own.

1:00 pm - 1:45 pm

Performance/Discussion

Janice Curtis Green, a living history performer and American storyteller, brings Harriet Tubman to life in Walk a Mile In My Shoes.

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Session: Rise to the East
Dr. Julia King and Dr. Elizabeth Chew, discuss burial sites and archeology’s importance and relevance to places of history, cultural justice, and remembrance.

 
Saturday, September 7, 2019 - Registration 9:00 am

10:00 am -12:00 pm Session: Descendant Panel discussion

Sotterley Descendants of owners and enslaved discuss their stories, challenges and Historic Preservation. Facilitated by Merideth Taylor and John Felicitas.

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Lunch available for purchase or bring your own.
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm

Interactive Performance

Janice Curtis Green, a living history performer and American storyteller celebrates life with Fun with Animals and Family Folktales. Listen to stories for the young and the young at heart. Relive a time when animals walked upright, talked to each other and honored Mother Nature. Hear tales of how we got over. Enjoy tales traditional and contemporary stories with songs and audience participation.

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Session

Zachary R. Wood, author and Ted talk speaker, presents: Uncensored, free speech, race, and dissenting opinions.

 

Programs and speakers are subject to change.

Free to the public, but limited seating – ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. CLICK HERE to register!

 

Teachers and Museum Professionals Workshop

Teachers and Museum

Professionals Workshop:

Incorporating History that Leads to Equity

July 30 and 31, 2019 

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

 

Students are never too young or too old to learn perspective, compassion, and empathy. Discover through the stories of real lives lived how to help your students learn the art of seeing through another’s eyes. Resources provided and create your own.

Pricing:

$30 for Pre K thru 12th grade public and private school teachers.

$40 for all others. 

Lunch included. 

Advanced Registration Required.

Register by e-mail: education@sotterley.org or call: 301-373-2280.

NEW! Historic Sotterley FARM STAND!

Every Saturday from June 1st - September 28th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., stop by the Historic Sotterley Farm Stand right out front at the intersection of Sotterley Road and Sotterley Lane. That's right, we're making it even more convenient for you to shop!

Every week, we will sell:
Historic Sotterley Farm - fruit and veggies!
&
R&H farms - beef, pork, and chicken!
Sassy Cakes - pretzels, cinnamon buns, cake pops, muffins, and more!
Trossbach Family Meats - beef, pork, chicken, and eggs!

Stop by and buy!

Family Friendly Fridays!

 

Family Friendly Fridays!
July 12, 19, 26 & August 3 , 2019
Site open from 10 am - 4 pm

Get down to earth for story time, hands-on learning with art, technology and nature from 10 am - noon, and then enjoy the Historic Sotterley site on your own for the rest of the day!

July 12:

Make your own clay!
July 19:

What makes it go? Make paper airplanes and rubber-band cars!
July 26:

What makes it bounce? Make a ball!
August 2:

What makes it float? Make a boat!

Guided activities: 10:00 a.m. - noon, with site admission.

Check in at Visitor Center.

FREE for children under age 6.

$5 per person ages 6 and up, per day.
$65 Purchase family membership and bring your whole family to Sotterley FREE all year! CLICK HERE! (Excludes certain special events.)

 

Open Auditions for Ghosts 2019

It’s (Almost) Showtime!

Open Auditions for Ghosts of Sotterley 2019 -

“The Curse of Greenbeard and the Pirates of the Patuxent!”

Join us for an exciting murder mystery tour through the woods of Historic Sotterley, as we help the guests figure out who killed the pirate Greenbeard! We invite all able-bodied people (who can traverse the terrain of the trails, and are able to stand/sit in the dark for up to 3 hours) from age 13 and up to try out. You will be in great company with an enthusiastic group of talented wonders who enjoy performing and love Historic Sotterley!

Auditions will be held at Historic Sotterley’s Warehouse on:

Wednesday, June 12th 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Saturday, June 15th 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sunday, June 16th 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Wednesday, June 19th 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

EXTRAS: We will also collect information for anyone interested in being an extra pop out pirate, electric tech, costumes helper, lighting tech, set builder and makeup artist.

CLICK HERE to COMPLETE the google form of your area of interest to speed up your audition. 

LOOKING for anyone willing to donate pirate themed items such as hats, swords, pistols, costumes, sails, flags, mast, rope, front of a pirate ship (this would be awesome!) Or any type of appropriate prop. Note: Items will be used outside, rain or moon.

DIRECTORS: If you have this talent and would be interested in helping please email me asap!

QUESTIONS can be directed to the producer, Helena Fondeur: sghostwalk@gmail.com.

REHEARSALS start in August, dates tbd.

THE BIG SHOW: Ghosts of Sotterley 2019 will run October 18, 19, 24, 25 & 26 from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

HISTORIC SOTTERLEY. 44300 Sotterley Lane. Hollywood, MD 20636. www.sotterley.org. Contact: Ginger Newman-Askew, Event Manager at 301-373-2280 or events@sotterley.org.

Junior Docent Academy

Junior Docent Academy

June 17 & 18, 2019

 

Are you looking for something fun to do this summer that involves history and interacting with others? We have the perfect opportunity for you! Our Junior Docent Academy 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 Historic Sotterley.

Returning Junior Docents can hone their skills (updated registration form required).

Advance Registration Required.
For Ages 8-18.
Drop off 9 a.m. Pick up 5:00 p.m.
Tuition: $35 dollars (which includes a Sotterley student membership).

Call: 301-373-2280 or email: education@sotterley.org for information.

CLICK HERE to register.

Farmer’s Market Going on the Road!

The Historic Sotterley Farmer’s Market is “Going on the Road” on Saturday, April 13th from 9 am—1 pm to the Tobacco Barn Distillery, an 1830’s historic tobacco barn located at 24460 Hollywood Road in Hollywood, MD … less than 4 miles from us and just across the street from Gatton’s Barbershop.

With the history, great food from our farmers and watermen, as well as a convenient place to shop, we invite you to come on by!

As a special treat, for those looking to take a “Distillery Tour” that afternoon, sign-ups will be available for tours at 1:30, 3:00 and 4:30 pm. Tours are limited to 8 people and take about an hour. $25 fee includes a laser etched Glencairn tasting glass ($15 value).

 

The April 2019 Farmer’s Market at the Tobacco Barn Distillery, sponsored by Historic Sotterley will include the following vendors:

 

· R&H Farms - Pork products from free range heritage pigs. USDA gourmet pork.

· Just Loafin’ - Freshly baked French and sourdough breads.

· Tobacco Barn Distillery – Local farm/distillery producing “Grain to Glass” Bourbon & Whiskies

· Blue Wind Gourmet - Local chocolate from a gourmet chocolatier.

· Goose Creek Farm - Farm raised Shiitake mushrooms. Fresh and dried.

· Rosemary Ranch farm - Local honey, eggs and gourmet microgreens.

· Moonstruck Oysters – Locally farmed oysters, shucked or in the shell.

· Sotterley Farm -  Table display from our sponsoring market.

· Olivin’s – Maryland’s finest private labeled aged Balsamic and  Extra Virgin Olive Oils.

· Faidley’s Seafood – World Famous Jumbo Lump Crabcakes. Offering meals for 2 or 4, or crab cakes. Limited quantities. Pre- order to ensure availability.

· Roseda Farms – Maryland’s premier dry aged, pasture fed Angus Offering Filets, NY Strip & Prime Rib. Limited quantities. Pre- order to ensure availability.

· Fresh flowers from the “Posey Patch.”

Hope to see you at the market!

Grateful for the Oyster Project Support!

The following people/groups 
are making a difference through their involvement in the Sotterley Oyster Project:

Lexington Park Elementary 5th Grade STEM class

Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland

St. Mary’s River Watershed Association

Friends of St. Clement’s Bay

John Spinicchia and the Natural Resources Management Students from the Forrest Career and Technology Center

Local Cub Scouts

Sean Ely and his parents (Eagle Scout Project)

St. Mary’s College of Maryland Bay to Bay Service Project Volunteers

Jim and Eileen McVey

Elisabeth Curtz

Fred Millhiser

Bob Lewis

"What's the Oyster Project?"

Spat Cages & Reef Building New Environmental Project—OYSTERS!

In November, the Historic Sotterley Oyster Project began when students from both the  Lexington Park Elementary 5th grade STEM class and the Forrest Career and Technology Center’s Natural Resources Management Program participated in the first phase of a project to re-introduce oysters into our part of Sotterley Creek.

Knowledgeable volunteers from the Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland, the Friends of St. Clements Bay, and the St. Mary’s River Watershed Project instructed students in the strategic placement of six cages of oyster spat at various water depths: 2ft, 4ft, 6ft, 8ft, 10ft, and 12ft.

Twice a year, the students will return to Sotterley Creek to take water samples and complete testing to check the levels of salinity, pH, and temperature. In the spring, an Eagle Scout will also work with us to establish an oyster reef under the dock, which will hopefully become home to a thriving community of oysters.

“What began as a casual conversation about the health of our local waterways with colleagues, has blossomed into a strong  collaboration,” stated Katherine Humphries, Education Coordinator of Historic Sotterley. “This the beginning of a larger vision and expansion of Sotterley’s environmental programming and we are thrilled to be part of teaching younger generations about the importance of  improving the quality of environment—here in the Chesapeake Bay region and beyond.”

This a natural progression in Historic Sotterley’s on-going Environmental Stewardship mission-driven initiatives.