DOCSLIB.ORG

2002 Comprehensive Plan Queen Anne's County, Maryland

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
2002 Comprehensive Plan Queen Anne's County, Maryland Volume 1: County Profile 2002 Comprehensive Plan Queen Anne’s County, Maryland Adopted by the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners on May 21, 2002 Queen Anne’s County 2002 Comprehensive Plan Volume 1 County Profile 2002 Comprehensive Plan Queen Anne’s County, Maryland Recommended for Adoption by the Queen Anne’s County Planning Commission on January 10, 2002 Adopted by the Commissioners of Queen Anne’s County on May 21, 2002 Website www.qac.org Prepared by: LDR International, an HNTB Company Columbia, MD Department of Planning and Zoning Queen Anne’s County A publication of the Maryland Coastal Zone Management In Association with: Program, Department of Freilich, Leitner & Carlisle Natural Resources pursuant to National Oceanic and O’Brien & Gere Engineers, Inc. Atmospheric Administration The Parsons Transportation Group Award No. NA87OZ0236 Queen Anne’s County 2002 Comprehensive Plan Preface This is the first volume of the two volume Queen Anne’s County Comprehensive Plan. This first volume provides a detailed overview of existing conditions, trends and issues. The second volume provides the Plan’s policy direction, implementing strategies and priorities. These two volumes are supplemented by a technical appendix that provides the details of the alternative scenarios analysis and infrastructure assessment completed during the planning process. 2002 Comprehensive Plan Volume 1: County Profile Queen Anne’s County Acknowledgements Page - i Acknowledgement County Commissioners George M. O’Donnell, President Marlene F. Davis John T. McQueeney, Jr. Planning Commissioners Dr. James C. Foor, Chairman John T. McQueeney, Jr. Ex- Officio Member Loring E Hawes, Secretary Rodger Weese David Clark Patti Miller Peter Lee Karen Oertel, Former PC Member E.M. Pusey, Jr., Former PC Member Citizen Advisory Committee Peter B. Lee, Chairperson Angie DiDonato Douglan W. Stubee Edward L. Delaney Evan Miles Gloria Ferguson Harold E. Walters Lea F. Brooks Michael J. Dahle Patricia Rhodes Pichada Honick Randy Esty Richard A. Smith Steve Moore T. Alvin Kepley William I. Mason, Jr. John McQueeney, Jr., County Commissioner, Liaison James C. Foor, Planning Commission, Liaison Loring E. Hawes, Planning Commission, Liaison Wayne W. Fallin, Economic Development Commission, Liaison 2002 Comprehensive Plan Volume 1: County Profile Queen Anne’s County Acknowledgements Page - ii Technical Advisory committee Mark Belton, County Administrator Bernie Sadusky, Board of Education Charles F. Crossley, Jr. Sheriff, Sheriff’s Department Joe Zimmerman, Director, Department of Finance Katherine Magruder, Director, Department of Business and Tourism Pete Scanlon, Director, Department of Housing and Community Services Philmont Taylor, Director, Department of Emergency Services Sue Leager, Director, Department of Aging Wes Johnson, Director, Department of Parks and Recreation Steve Walls, Director, Department of Public Works Todd Mohn, Deputy Director, Department of Public Works Bob Burns, Department of Public Works Eva Kerchner, Department of Public Works Garth Jones, Department of Public Works Alan Quimby, Sanitary District John Nickerson, Department of Environmental Health James H. Barton, Zoning Administrator Planning Staff Steve Kaii-Ziegler, Director Faith Elliott Rossing, Principal Planner Steve Cohoon, Development Review Chief Joy Levy, Planner Radhika Sakhamuri, Planner Kevin Clark, GIS Specialist Megan DelGaudio, GIS Specialist The Queen Anne’s County Department of Planning and Zoning wishes to thank all the County agencies, adjacent jurisdictions, and the citizens who participated in the public process for their participation and helpful advice. 2002 Comprehensive Plan Volume 1: County Profile Queen Anne’s County Acknowledgements Page - iii Table of Contents 1.0 The Purpose of this County Profile ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Setting the Stage for Planning ..........................................................................................................1 • Context .................................................................................................................................... 1 2.0 The Planning Process and Products................................ .................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Ø Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 3 Ø Public Participation in the Comprehensive Plan........................................................................ 4 Ø Comprehensive Plan Process Timeline ..................................................................................... 5 3.0 Planning Regulatory Framework .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Ø Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 6 Ø Article 66B and the 1992 Economic Growth, Resource Protection and Planning Act................ 6 Ø 1997 Smart Growth Initiatives .................................................................................................. 6 Ø Queen Anne’s County Planning Background ............................................................................ 7 Ø Growth Management Tools ...................................................................................................... 9 • Cluster Development ............................................................................................................... 9 • Agricultural Operations............................................................................................................ 9 • Growth Areas ........................................................................................................................... 9 • Enhancements/New Tools........................................................................................................ 9 4.0 GrowGrowthth Trends/IssuesTrends/Issues.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Ø Overview................................................................................................................................. 13 • CAC and TAC Identify Issues ................................................................................................. 13 Ø Rate of Population and Housing Growth................................................................................. 14 • Population and Household Trends......................................................................................... 14 • Projections ............................................................................................................................. 15 • Age Distribution..................................................................................................................... 16 • Housing Unit Tenure.............................................................................................................. 16 • Household Size ...................................................................................................................... 17 • Units in Structure................................................................................................................... 17 • Affordable and Elderly Housing Needs................................................................................... 17 Ø Employment, Income and Economic Development ................................................................ 18 • Jobs in the County.................................................................................................................. 18 • Labor Force Participation........................................................................................................ 18 • Employed Residents by Industry ............................................................................................ 19 • Employed Residents by Occupation....................................................................................... 20 • Income ................................................................................................................................... 21 • Business and Tourism Readiness ........................................................................................... 21 Ø Location and Rate of Growth................................................................................................... 22 • Existing Development ............................................................................................................22 • Location and Growth Areas.................................................................................................... 27 • Residential Building Permits................................................................................................... 27 • Recently Developed and Preserved Lands.............................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Winter 2020-2021
    To Discover, Identify, Restore and Preserve the Heritage of Kent Island Newsletter of the Kent Island Heritage Society, Inc. Winter 2020-21 Officers President’s Message PRESIDENT The message in this newsle er will echo some of the thoughts Jack E. Broderick included in the mailing for our annual dues. 2020 has been VICE PRESIDENT quite a year for all of us. It looks like the pandemic challenges Robert Lowe will con nue un l the vaccine becomes widely available in the coming year. As you know, we cancelled all of our in-person RECORDING SECRETARY events through 2020 out of concern for our members and our Nancy M. Cook community. However, we remain as commi ed as ever to our CORRESPONDING SECRETARY mission to discover, iden fy, explore, and preserve the heritage Carole P. Frederick of Kent Island. Our board meets virtually and con nues with plans to keep our historic proper es in good repair. TREASURER Lynne Riley-Coleman Our ongoing projects include maintaining the Stevensville sites, refurbishing the Kirwan General Store sign, improving the interior of the Kirwan House, and comple ng DIRECTORS Linda Collier the blacksmith shop. We are in twofold contact with archaeologist Dr. Darrin Lowery John Conley in planning for the return and display of the Marks’s Indian ar facts collec on and in Lou Crouch suppor ng the Parson’s Island project, now extended through 2021. Jay Gibson Toni Gibson Currently, we are brainstorming the feasibility of buying the Stevensville Bank to ensure Kristin Green its preserva on as an historic site.
    [Show full text]
  • 7. Historic & Cultural Resources
    7. Historic & Cultural Resources VISION The County honors its past, is a faithful steward of its historical and cultural heritage, and respects historical and cultural concerns when planning growth areas and transportation avenues. The County pursues smart growth that includes preservation and promotes a unique, predominantly rural, extensively agricultural, traditionally maritime, and always small-town way of life. KEY ISSUES PLAN THEMES Lack of information about the condition and extent FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY of County resources. Description of how this Chapter addresses See pages [to be added for final] Fiscal Responsibility. Lack of accountability and monitoring of progress SUSTAINABLE GROWTH on historic preservation. Description of how this Chapter addresses See pages [to be added for final] Sustainable Growth. Lack of voluntary action to invest in the COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION rehabilitation of privately owned historic properties, Description of how this Chapter addresses especial residential properties. Community Revitalization. See pages [to be added for final] RESOURCE PRESERVATION & Loss of historic and archaeological resources. CONSERVATION See pages [to be added for final] Description of how this Chapter addresses Resource Conservation & Preservation. Lack of resources to sustain historic sites open to HEALTH & RESILIENCE the public (i.e. the Historic Sites Consortium). Description of how this Chapter addresses See pages [to be added for final] Health & Resilience. RELEVANT STATE VISIONS GOALS The overarching goal for historic and cultural resources is to save more of these resources, including historic sites and districts, and incorporate them—and their stories—into the life, growth, and future of Queen Anne’s County. Build wide public appreciation for the County’s historic and archaeological resources and its deep and 7-1 varied history and ensure greater knowledge of those resources.
    [Show full text]
  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten A study of the Old Testament using The Children's Bible in 365 Stories; The Singing Bible, 100 Bible Bible Stories/100 Bible Songs, and 365 Bible Stories for Children In-depth fairytale study reading classic fairytales along with fractured fairytales Sing, Spell, Read & Write Reading Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading Classical Phonics: A Child’s Guide to Word Mastery Victory Drills Students explore their own history and community helpers History/Geography Me on the Map Continents Saxon Math 1 Whole number computation, patterns, introduction to money, Math shapes and spatial relationships, temperature, weight, measurements, probability, strategies for problem solving Music Musikgarten God's Children Sing Weather in Our World Science Basic natural science Foreign Language Sampling of Spanish and Sign Language Drawing with Children Art is Fundamental Art Various Authors of Great Painting History Kindergarten Art Cards Weekly Scripture recitations in class Oral Presentations joint formal recitation with first grade in celebration of Thanksgiving, and weather-, history-, geography-, phonics- and math-themed songs and poems Field Trips The Apple Farm, Post Office, Leaf Adventure, Fire Department, Local Farm Daily kinesthetic projects, Cookie party with First Grade, Activities Learning Spanish with Ninth Grade Community Visits from various Community Leaders First Grade Overview of New Testament Bible Reviewing and applying God’s characteristics Student ownership of Bible exploration SRA Phonics 2 Variety of phonetically
    [Show full text]
  • The Queen Anne's Chronicle
    VOLUME 1, NUMBER 1 MAY/JUNE 2011 The Queen Anne’s Chronicle CELEBRATING QUEEN Anne’s County ~ ~ ~ INFORMING THE CITIZENS KENT ISLAND DAY IS COMING! SATURDAY, MAY 21, STEVENSVILLE “ PRIOR RESIDENTIAL Special from JACK BRODERICK, Chester the Kirwan Farm House and General Store home town mix of old cars and tractors, GROWTH IS DRIVING Each year, on the third Saturday Museum are open through the day. boats, historic costumes, bands, scouts, civic NEW EXPENDITURES in May, the Kent Island Heritage Society The opening ceremony kicks off in groups, elected officials, police and fire celebrates the heritage, life, and culture of Stevensville at 10:00 a.m. with the National units, and the exciting horses of the Maryland JUST AS REVENUES Kent Island. Known as “Kent Island Day”, Anthem, salute to the flag, reading of the Rough Riders. “We always have room in the ARE Falling” the tradition began in 1977 with the signing Kent Island Day proclamation, and this year parade, so if you want to be part of it, just give This statement appears on page 19 of an of a proclamation by Acting us a call”, says the parade chair (see below). economic study of the County, prepared by AKRF, Governor Blair Lee. “One of the great features of this year’s Inc., a New York-based consulting firm, and The community festival event will be an expanded area of plants and released last February 19. The few who penetrated mostly takes place in one of gardening information, next to the Historic that far into the study (which can be read at www.
    [Show full text]
  • View the Vertical File List
    Maryland Historical Trust Library Vertical Files The vertical file collection at the Maryland Historical Trust library contain a wealth of information related to historic buildings and properties from across the state. These files include material which complements reports completed for the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties and National Register of Historic Places, including architectural drawings, newspaper clippings from national, state, and local newspapers, photographs, notes, and ephemera. The vertical files can be viewed in the library, Tuesday through Thursday, by appointment. To schedule an appointment, researchers should contact Lara Westwood, librarian, at [email protected] or 410-697-9546. Please note that this list is incomplete and will be updated. For more information, please contact the librarian or visit the website. Annapolis – Anne Arundel County AA- Annapolis (Anne Arundel County) Development Impacts Annapolis, Md. AA- Annapolis (Anne Arundel County) Maps Annapolis, Md. AA-2046 Annapolis (Anne Arundel County) Annapolis Historic District Annapolis, Md. AA-2046 Annapolis (Anne Arundel County) Annapolis Historic District – Research Notes Annapolis, Md. AA- Annapolis (Anne Arundel County) Annapolis Emergency Hospital Association Annapolis, Md. AA-360 Annapolis (Anne Arundel County) Acton 1 Acton Place, Annapolis, Md. AA- Annapolis (Anne Arundel County) Acton Notes Annapolis, Md. AA- Annapolis (Anne Arundel County) Acton Place Spring House 11 Acton Place, Annapolis, Md. AA-393 Annapolis (Anne Arundel County) Adams-Kilty House 131 Charles Street, Annapolis, Md. AA- Annapolis (Anne Arundel County) Alleys Annapolis, Md. AA- Annapolis (Anne Arundel County) Annapolis Dock & Market Space Annapolis, Md. AA-1288 Annapolis (Anne Arundel County) Annapolis Elementary School 180 Green Street, Annapolis, Md.
    [Show full text]
  • KI Heritage Soc
    To Discover, Identify, Restore and Preserve the Heritage of Kent Island Newsletter of the Kent Island Heritage Society, Inc. Spring 2018 Officers PRESIDENT President’s Message You may have seen the articles in the Bay Times about our De- Jack E. Broderick cember meeting – our annual holiday brunch and installation VICE PRESIDENT of Board Officers at Fisherman’s Inn. There was a mood of cel- Robert Lowe ebration and good spirits as we celebrated, in the words of Frank Sinatra’s old song, “A very good year.” Of course we RECORDING SECRETARY featured another old song for the season – our own version of Nancy M. Cook the 12days of Christmas, in appropriate costumes. During the installation, we welcomed new Board member, Mark Lidinski, CORRESPONDING local author of three historic novels, featuring “adventures” of SECRETARY the Kent Island Heritage Society. Mark’s energy and his passion for history will be a Carole P. Frederick great addition to the Board. We thanked outgoing Board members, Earl Chambers and Linda Kratovil. We will miss them both on the Board but are glad that they will con- TREASURER Lynne Riley-Coleman tinue to be active in the Society – Earle as assistant at the Historic Post Office and as- sistant to the president, and Linda as our docent in the Historic Stevensville Bank. We DIRECTORS switched roles at the VP level, as Bob Lowe assumed the office of vice president, Linda Collier bringing his expertise in the social media world and his experience as our liaison and John Conley chair of our Library Committee. Carl Gerg Hal Wilson reassumed his previous position as a member of the Board.
    [Show full text]
  • Michener's Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway Corridor
    Michener’s Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan DECEMBER 2011 Michener’s Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan DECEMBER 2011 Prepared for Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Dorchester, and Caroline Counties in Maryland Prepared by Lardner/Klein Landscape Architects, P.C. in association with Shelley Mastran National Trust for Historic Preservation John Milner Associates, Inc. Daniel Consultants, Inc. with the assistance of Michener’s Chesapeake Scenic Byway Advisory Committee Acknowledgements The Michener’s Chesapeake Scenic Byway Advisory Committee included the following individuals that attended at least two of the meetings or otherwise made additional contributions to the development of the corridor management plan. Suzanne Baird, Manager, Blackwater NWR Cindy Miller, Skipjack Nathan of Dorchester; Rodney Banks, Planning & Zoning, Dorchester County Museum & Attractions Coalition Elizabeth Beckley, Eastern Shore Field Director, Preservation Don, Mulrine, Administrator, Town of Denton Maryland Frank Newton, Skipjack Nathan of Dorchester Jeanne Bernard, Vice President, Nanticoke Historic Preservation Jackie, Noller, Vice President, Choptank River Alliance Lighthouse Society Judy Bixler, , Town of Oxford Rochelle Outten , SHA District 1 RussellBrinsfield, Mayor, Town of Vienna David Owens, HCHA Mary Calloway, Econ. Dev. Dept, City of Cambridge Amy Owsley, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy Linda Cashman, Heart of Chesapeake County Heritage Area, Jay, Parker , Interim Executive Director, Lower Dorchester Tourism* Eastern Shore Heritage Council, Inc. Frank Cavanaugh, President, Talbot County Village Center Ray, Patera, , Blackwater NWR Board Mike Richards, Tilghman Waterman’s Museum Jay, Corvan, , Richardson Maritime Museum Anne Roane, City Planner, City of Cambridge Betsy, Coulbourne, Planner, Caroline County Planning Marci Ross, Manager, Destination Resources Jane Devlin, James B. Richardson Foundation, Inc.
    [Show full text]
  • Report to Congress on the Historic Preservation of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Sites in the United States (P.L
    National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Report to CoCongressngress oonn tthehe HiHistoricstoric PrPreservadoneservation ooff RRevolutionaryevolutionary War anandd War ooff 1812 SiSitestes in the UUnitednited StStatesates Prepared for The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources United States Senate The Committee on Resources United States House of Representatives Prepared by American Battlefield Protection Program National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Washington, DC September 2007 Front Cover Brandywine Battlefield (PA200), position of American forces along Brandywine Creek, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Photo by Chris Heisey. Authorities The Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Historic The American Battlefield Protection Act of 1996, as Preservation Study Act of 1996 amended (P.L. 104-333, Sec. 604; 16 USC 469k). (P.L. 104-333, Section 603; 16 USC 1a-5 Notes). Congress authorized the American Battlefield Protection Congress, concerned that “the historical integrity of Program of the National Park Service to assist citizens, many Revolutionary War sites and War of 1812 sites is at public and private institutions, and governments at all risk,” enacted legislation calling for a study of historic levels in planning, interpreting, and protecting sites where sites associated with the two early American wars. The historic battles were fought on American soil during the purpose of the study was to: “identify Revolutionary War armed conflicts that shaped the growth and development sites and War of 1812 sites, including sites within units of the United States, in order that present and future of the National Park System in existence on the date of generations may learn and gain inspiration from the enactment of this Act [November 12, 1996]; determine the ground where Americans made their ultimate sacrifice.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 2 Community Profiles
    Chapter 2 Community Profiles The Planning Area The Planning Area is comprised of the communities of Chester IslandKent and Stevensville, which are both located on Kent Island. Chester has a total land area of 1,930.29 acres, and is located on the eastern portion of Kent Island and is bounded by Cox Creek to the west, Piney Creek and Prospect Bay to the east, Chester River to the north and Kirwan Creek to the south. Stevensville has a total land area of 3,328.87 acres, and is located on the western portion of Kent Island and is bounded by the Chesapeake Bay on the west, Thompson Creek to the south, Cox Creek to the south and east, and the Chester River to the east. Chester First recognized as a Census Designated Place in the 2000 Decennial Census, the 1997 Chester Planning Area comprises 9.8 percent of the land area of Kent Island and is about 60 percent of the size of Stevensville. Prior to the opening of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in 1952, Chester was a small community consisting of a series of small villages and farmlands strung along Route 18, at one time the only road to Kent Island. Chester 2000 Snapshot With the opening of ● Median household income above state ● Median house value: $145,800 the Bay Bridge and average ● Ancestries of population: the construction of ● Median house value above state ► German (21.0%) Route 50/301, average ► Irish (17.0%) development sprang ● Unemployed percentage below state ► English (15.2%) average ► United States (12.3%) up in the form of ● African-American race population ► Italian (6.0%) commercial strips percentage significantly below state ► Polish (5.0%) along the highway average ● High school education or higher: 86.0% ● Median age above state average ● Bachelor's degree or higher: 24.0% and residential ● Foreign-born population percentage ● Graduate or professional degree: 8.5% neighborhoods near above state average ● Unemployed: 3.2% the waterfront.
    [Show full text]
  • National Register Properties in Talbot County
    NATIONAL REGISTER PROPERTIES IN TALBOT COUNTY Property Name: All Saints' Church Date Listed: 5/27/1983 Inventory No.: T-83 Location: Wye Mills Easton Road (MD 662), Longwoods, Talbot County Description: All Saints¿ Church is a small rectangular frame church constructed in 1900-1901. It is clad in board-and-batten siding, and its nave is five bays long with a steeply-pitched gable roof and stickwork in the gables. The lower portion of each wall is sheathed in horizontal clapboard. On the south facade, a gabled entrance porch with stickwork detailing occupies the westernmost bay, and lancet windows define the remaining four bays. A three-stage bell tower with a shingled spire rises adjacent to the westernmost bay of the north facade. The first stage is sheathed in horizontal clapboard with one lancet window per side. The second stage is sheathed in board-and-batten siding and holds paired lancet windows on each side. The third stage, also board-and-batten, holds two large louvered Gothic-arched openings per side. The roof of the tower is pyramidal with flared eaves. A two bay wide apse projects from the east gable, and holds a tripartite stained-glass lancet window. A small gabled wing extends to the north of the apse. The west gable of the nave is pierced by two lancet windows below a small circular window. The interior retains its original woodwork, including decorative roof trusses and framing members, and vertical-board wainscoting. Significance: Designed by New York architect, Henry Martyn Congdon, All Saints Church was erected in 1900-1901 on the same site as its predecessor, also designed by Congdon, which burned on December 31, 1899.
    [Show full text]
  • MHAA Annual Report
    This report is required by the Code of Maryland, Financial Institutions Article § 13-1108(5) Cover Photo: Front Elevation of the Western Maryland Railway Station in Canal Place Photo Courtesy of Dave Romero Introduction | 1 Program Goals | 3 Program Governance | 5 Program Structure | 7 Map of the Heritage Areas | 11 Heritage Area Chart | 12 Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic | 13 Welcoming New Staff | 14 Grant Review Panel | 16 Grant Projects | 24 Spotlight on Mini-Grants | 33 Financing Fund Report | 34 Program Impact | 43 Racial Equity | 44 Marketing the Heritage Areas | 45 Preserving and Sharing Our Heritage aryland’s heritage areas support the economic well-being of M Maryland communities by preserving and celebrating the state’s history, cultural traditions, and natural resources through partnerships that promote, support, and create place-based experiences for visitors and residents alike. Heritage areas are places to experience - to see, hear, and even taste - the authentic heritage of Maryland in a unique way that you cannot experience anywhere else. Heritage areas are where the stories of the people, the land and the waters of Maryland, which have been intertwined for thousands of years, are told. By preserving these tangible links to both place and the past, residents and visitors are encouraged to recognize that they have a special piece of the American story to treasure and share with others, and that in doing so they create more livable and economically sustainable communities. Now entering its 24th year of operation, the Maryland Heritage Areas Program has enjoyed steady growth, enthusiastic private and public support, and a record of achievement.
    [Show full text]
  • Design Draft Stories of the Chesapeake
    Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area Makes an Impact December 2020 Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area $98.4 MILLION in economic impact 1,397 JOBS supported and sustained 13.1 MILLION in state and local tax revenue Life here is inseparable from the Chesapeake Bay, North America’s largest and most productive estuary. One of the oldest and largest remaining working landscapes in North America is also one of its most protected landscapes. The fertile lands and rich waters form the foundation of the region’s economy and culture. Known as the Breadbasket of the American Revolution, Maryland’s Eastern Shore farmers are leaders in agricultural innovation. Local watermen balance traditional methods of shing with new innovations for raising seafood. Indian sites range from rare Archaic, such as the 13,000-year-old Paw Paw Cove on Tilghman Island, to “contact” sites, where Captain John Smith rst visited the indigenous tribes. Historically signicant small towns, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, remain hubs of community activity. The history of the heritage area is closely interwoven with the story of religious toleration and early denominational development spanning from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Several nationally signicant churches and numerous 19th century country crossroads chapels mark the landscape as “the Garden of Methodism”. Free black communities were scattered throughout the heritage area as early as the 17th century. The Hill Community in Easton is one of the oldest free African American neighborhoods in the United States. Founded in the 1780s as this crossroads grew into a town, this community continues today.
    [Show full text]