The Spookiest Ghost Tour in Town!

"1878: Washed Ashore"
Ghosts of Sotterley Tours 2011
October 13, 14, 15, 21 & 22, 2011
Tours run every ten minutes, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Reservations Required – No Walk-ins

This year’s tour will take guests back in time to the year 1878, when Sotterley was owned by Dr. Walter Hanson Stone Briscoe and his wife, Emeline. The family’s enjoyment of prosperity, good friends, county notoriety, and living the good life has been interrupted. A ship wreck has occurred at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and Dr. Briscoe has been called upon to treat the survivors. The plantation is reeling from the disaster and teeming with uninvited visitors - the restless spirits of the newly departed as well as the spirits of those long past who have been unsettled by the upheaval. Prepare to encounter both the earthly inhabitants of the time and those not of this earth on this historical and spooky walking tour!

New for 2011 – Additional Tour Nights! What could be better than 3 nights of the Ghosts of Sotterley Tours? 5 Nights of the Ghosts of Sotterley Tours! This year’s tours will run on October 13, 14, and 15th AND October 21 and 22nd.

Advance reservations are required. We cannot accommodate walk-ins. Tour times will begin at 7 p.m. and run every ten minutes. May not be suitable for young children. Dress appropriately for this spooky outdoor walking tour / production.

Tickets are $13 per person and may be purchased online: www.sotterley.org. Group rates are available by calling our office 301-373-2280.

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Bluebirds from a Soon-To-Be Eagle!

Receiving the distinction of Eagle Scout requires strong motivation, willingness to learn, careful planning, with a strong commitment to service. Isaac Wieser possesses all of these admirable characteristics, plus unmatched, unbridled enthusiasm. Born with Down syndrome, he doesn’t allow challenges to intimidate him one bit. Last week, after a full year of planning, organizing, supervising, and development, he delivered 10 white cedar bluebird houses to Sotterley Plantation, as part of the wildlife encouragement program.

“I’m so excited!” Isaac exclaimed, upon entering the Sotterley office with his mother and brother … and he has every right to be. After identifying Sotterley’s need for this valuable project at the 2010 Garden Fair, he set to work. With assistance from his family and fellow boy scouts in Troop 420 of Leonardtown, what began as an idea has become a reality.

After learning that bluebirds prefer white cedar, Isaac’s grandfather generously donated the wood for the project. Isaac’s next phase of learning included how to use a drill press and other tools correctly and safely, under the instruction of his father. Once the prep-work was complete, he supervised the construction of the high-quality bluebird houses. Grouping the scouts into teams, each responsible for a specific task on an assembly line, he oversaw each phase of development for quality assurance.

“We are so incredibly honored that Isaac chose Sotterley for this most amazing gift. This will help us to increase the bluebird population at Sotterley,” stated Nancy Easterling, Executive Director. “Most importantly, we have made a great friend in Isaac.”

Much thanks to Isaac Wieser, the Wieser family, and Boy Scout Troop 420 of Leonardtown, Maryland. We are grateful … and excited!


To view video of Isaac and the Bluebird Houses, check out the following links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOqMrB FkjU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMzK 9hL9aw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCl1e0AH s4

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A Fine Time for Wine ... and more!

Riverside WineFest at Sotterley 2011!
October 1 & 2 ~ Noon until 6pm both days

Sotterley Plantation will celebrate the best of Maryland in the breathtaking setting of this National Historic Landmark at Riverside WineFest at Sotterley 2011. For two days, guests will have the chance to taste the offerings from over two dozen Maryland wineries. Enjoy award-winning wines, scrumptious food and treats, hand-crafted wares from regional artisans, free children’s activities, and fabulous live music. For those who have always wanted to learn about wine making and wine testing, enjoy informative demonstrations and exhibits. FREE Garden Tours, Slave Cabin Presentations, and “Mini Tours” of the 1703 Plantation House will be available to guests. In the historic Barn, artists from The Color & Light Society will be painting, displaying, and selling their treasures. As an added bonus, 98.3 Star FM celebs T-Bone & Heather will be here with t-shirts and prizes for the crowd on Saturday.

For Discount Tickets - BUY Online! www.sotterley.org prior to Friday, September 23rd!

Tickets may be purchased in advance for a discounted price of $20 prior to September 23rd; $25 at the gate; $15 for designated drivers; $5 for children ages 6 – 20; free for children under six years old. Tickets for Sotterley Members are $18 available by phone only. For more information, visit www.sotterley.org or call 301-373-2280 or 800-681-0850.

Ghosts at Sotterley? You could be one!

YOU could be a STAR in the most thrilling Ghost Tours in town!

Call for Actors, Tech, Make-up for the Ghosts of Sotterley Tours 2011

Sotterley Plantation is pleased to announce open auditions for this year’s Ghosts of Sotterley Tours on the following dates:

Saturday, August 13 - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuesday, August 16 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 20 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuesday, August 23 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The ever-so popular Ghosts of Sotterley Tours have been expanded to include a second weekend this year! Run dates: October 13, 14, 15, 21, and 22 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Also needed: Tech and Make-up crew. Limited to ages 12 and up.

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Bringing Truths to Light

St. Mary's College of Maryland student, Ryan Girgerty becomes an ambassador of Joseph McGill's Slave Dwelling Project.

Joseph McGill slept here.

Last Saturday afternoon, Joseph McGill arrived at Sotterley Plantation ready to spend the night in our original 1830's Slave Cabin, after a long day's travel from South Carolina. We were honored to officially become part of his nationally recognized "Slave Dwelling Project" (formerly known as "Slave Cabin Project") and receive his critical validation that "Sotterley is doing it right."

Sotterley's focus is not merely about the many residents of the big house (a.k.a. the Plantation House), but rather, encompasses the over 300 years of history of ALL who lived and worked here.

For those wondering why the name change of the project from Slave Cabin to Slave Dwelling, the answer is yet another truth ... there were places in the North were slaves lived and worked. According to McGill, this story is not readily discussed or taught and it needs to be included.

When asked what his purpose is for sleeping in the slave dwellings, McGill responded, “In saving these places it gives us an opportunity to bring the stories of African Americans off the back pages. We as African Americans are byproducts of those who endured. In telling their stories we are honoring them.”

St. Mary’s College of Maryland student Ryan Girgerty accepted McGill's invitation to sleep in the Slave Cabin's loft, which is smaller than his dorm room. Putting it into its true perspective, McGill spoke of the numbers of people/families who lived in one small cabin. Prior to extinguishing the lantern light, McGill shed the light of truth on the days of toil and turmoil ... and the significance of remembrance. And not only has Girgerty become an ambassador of the truth, but all who met and attended McGill's presentation at Sotterley are invited to become ambassadors.

It's about the truth. And it's about time.

Joseph McGill is a Program Officer for the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the Southern Office in Charleston, South Carolina. He is the founder of Company "I" 54th Massachusetts Reenactment Regiment in Charleston, the regiment portrayed in the award winning movie “Glory”. McGill is a Commissioner for the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission, a board member for the proposed International African American Museum, a founding member of the South Carolina African American Historical Alliance, and a member of the South Carolina Humanities Council Speakers Bureau. He is the former Executive Director of both the African American Historical Museum and the Cultural Center of Iowa, and of History and Culture at Penn Center - the first school built during the Civil War for the education of recently freed slaves.

McGill's Slave Cabin Project at Sotterley THIS WEEKEND!

“Slave Cabin Project” by Joseph McGill
Sunday, July 10, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. in the Barn

Joseph McGill is a Program Officer for the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the Southern Office in Charleston, South Carolina. He is the founder of Company "I" 54th Massachusetts Reenactment Regiment in Charleston, the regiment portrayed in the award winning movie “Glory”. McGill is a Commissioner for the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission, a board member for the proposed International African American Museum, a founding member of the South Carolina African American Historical Alliance, and a member of the South Carolina Humanities Council Speakers Bureau. He is the former Executive Director of both the African American Historical Museum and the Cultural Center of Iowa, and of History and Culture at Penn Center - the first school built during the Civil War for the education of recently freed slaves.

AND, he will be spending Saturday night in our original 1830’s Slave Cabin.

For the last year, he has been making his way throughout the Southeast sleeping in these historic structures in order to honor the memory of all the people who lived in these cabins and to bring much-needed attention and resources to slave cabin restoration. In a recent interview with NPR, McGill said, “You get inside these walls and you think about that time of slavery and wonder what went through these people's minds, because within these walls was probably the easiest time of their lives. We know that beyond those walls there was a lot of hard work and toil.”

The following day (Sunday) at 1:oo p.m., he will share his experiences with guests. This event is FREE to the public, but 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 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.

A Fabulous Birthday Bash - An Independence Day Celebration Concert!

Music has a way of bringing people together! Listeners came by land and by sea. Thirteen boats were anchored down on Sotterley Creek, as the crews enjoyed the music rolling down hill and field. On land, several hundred visitors set up chairs and blankets for a lovely afternoon of patriotic music, bidding and taking chances on auction items, eating great American foods, and making cool crafts.

Part of the "On Location" SMCM River Concert Series, the Chesapeake Orchestra Brass Quintet was led by Maestro Jeffrey Silberschlag of St. Mary’s College of Maryland. The Chesapeake Orchestra Brass Quintet include: Robert Birch and Carlton Rowe, trumpet; Bryan Bourne, trombone; Mark Questad, French horn; John Cradler, tuba and guest performers Zach Silberschlag and Jeff Silberschlag, trumpet and Nathaniel Silberschlag, French horn. A BIG thanks to all of you for sharing your talents with all of us.

We are also grateful to the St. Mary's Arts Council, who made this event possible again this year. And much thanks to all of the visitors who joined in the celebration - our old friends and so many new friends!