Annapolis, MD: Four Rivers: The Heritage Area of Annapolis,
London
Town & South County is pleased to announce this year s
heritage awards winners. Heritage awards in several different categories
recognize individuals, organizations, programs and products that contribute
significantly to the community by interpreting, promoting, preserving,
researching and/or supporting our historical legacy. Four Rivers congratulates the following
heritage award winners, whose achievements were celebrated at a November
8th ceremony at Historic London Town & Gardens in Edgewater. The
event, attended by approximately 70 invited guests, also celebrated the fifth
anniversary of the heritage area.
The Heritage Interpreter of the
Year award for presenting outstanding, educational and factual tours recognizes
David L. Smith of Capital City Colonials. Often dressed in period attire, D. L.
strives for the highest standards in historical accuracy, and he has a lively
personality that makes him popular with diverse audiences.
The Heritage Program award goes
to the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center on the Rhode River for their new Educational Outreach
Program, which includes a kayak and canoe trail, as well as a variety of
high-quality public environmental education activities.
Best New Heritage Initiative
recognizes Watermark and the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation for developing
the African American Heritage Tour, which engages visitors as they trace the
rich history of African Americans in Annapolis.
Heritage Professional awards go
to two outstanding individuals Patricia Blick for her leadership in coordinating
the HistoryQuest project at Historic Annapolis Foundation s St. Clair Wright
Center and Janet Surrett for her creative role in building a strong community
history program and museum at the Captain Salem Avery House in Shady Side.
The Legacy Award for preserving a
traditional craft or livelihood goes to Pam Offer and family, for continuing
local traditions in preparing and serving southern Maryland and Chesapeake
Bay fare. The Offer Family crabcakes and oysters are legendary in
South
County.
Four Rivers most prestigious
honor, the Heritage Award, for significant and long-lasting contributions to
local history and heritage goes posthumously to Leonard Blackshear, who died
earlier this year from cancer. Leonard, founder of the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley
Foundation, was remembered for his vision, leadership, creativity, and
enthusiasm. Leonard was committed to local history as a means of connecting with
heritage, promoting forgiveness and healing, and enhancing economic development.
Dr. Patsy Blackshear accepted the Heritage Award in her husband s name.
Several awards were given for
local historical interpretation:
Historians Glenn Campbell and Dr.
Jean Russo were honored for developing the interpretive components, including
the audio tour, video scripts, and exhibit content, of Historic Annapolis
Foundation s new HistoryQuest at the St. Clair Wright Center.
Banneker-Douglass Museum was acknowledged with an interpretation award
for its new permanent multi-media exhibit, Deep Roots, Rising Waters, which
educates visitors about Maryland s African American history.
Local author Ginger Doyel was
honored with a local history award for her books, Annapolis Vignettes and Gone to Market: the Annapolis Market House,
1698-2005.
An interpretation award was
presented to the City of Annapolis for its two new historical brochures,
Art in Annapolis and From Declaration to Independence.
The Galesville Heritage Society
received an award for its new, self-guided brochure, Heritage Tour, of historic
Galesville on the West River.
The Chesapeake Children s Museum
was honored with a children s interpretation award for its innovative and
interactive program, Lead On,
Harriet!, about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad.
Lastly, outgoing County Executive
Janet Owens was presented with a certificate of appreciation for her generous
support of the Four Rivers Heritage Area over the past five years.
For more information, please call
the heritage area office at 410-222-1805.
