Cmm at 40 — the Setting Solomons After World War Ii
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Vol. 35, No. 1 Spring 2010 CMM AT 40 — THE SETTING SOLOMONS AFTER WORLD WAR II [Editor’s Note: How is a museum started? What are the factors that bring about the establishment of a museum to preserve and present the history of an area? This year we’ll look at the beginnings of the Calvert Marine Museum, first examining the local setting, then turning in later issues to the founders, and finally, to the museum’s early days.] World War II profoundly shipyard work to support the affected the Solomons area, as war effort. Contacts with it did the entire country. The the rest of the county and area, which had been agrarian Maryland were limited in the and geographically isolated, first part of that century by had experienced an influx of poor roads, but a primitive outsiders, while her native bus service augmented the sons had been sent around the traditional steamboats in world with the military. This providing opportunities to visit brought many benefits, but other places. Many families in the period after the war led owned boats large enough to the “old timers” to think more provide the means of visiting about the area where they lived The D&L shopping center in 1947, the first of its kind in Solomons St. Mary’s County and the and how their lives had been and the lower peninsula of the county. Eastern Shore, but before the changed, and would continue (P-1742, Courtesy, Velma Dowell) first World War there were few to change. automobiles in the area. Calvert County had a population of just over 10,000 Solomons did open up more in the period between the immediately before the war, not significantly different from wars, with telephones, better roads, more private cars, and its population in the decades that followed the Civil War. increased bus service. Steamboat travel, however, decreased Although the county was largely agricultural, the residents of during this period, ending entirely in the early 1930s. The Solomons were predominantly watermen or shipyard workers, better roads and automobiles also brought in summer tourists not farmers, although they relied on farms to produce products to enjoy camping and recreational fishing. The 125 families for several canneries. Founded in 1865, Solomons grew (with some 500 individuals) living in Solomons and Avondale very slowly, expanding from Solomons Island into the nearby in the 1930s had similar backgrounds and interests, and they development of Avondale (sometimes called Johnstown) during knew each other well, interacting in three churches, the school, the late 1890s and early part of the twentieth century. World and several fraternal organizations. It was a comfortable, War I had a minimal effect on the area though it did increase predictable world. World War II brought considerable disruption to the CELEBRATE WITH THE MUSEUM established way of life. Not only were many young men off DURING ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY to military service, but a large number of military men and This fortieth year will be the theme of events during 2010, families had to be housed and entertained in support of the as noted in the new logo and the article above. There will be an Amphibious Training Base set up by the U.S. Navy in Dowell in essay contest for fourth graders this spring, events in June and 1942. This facility was soon followed by a somewhat secretive July, an anniversary cruise on the Wm. B. Tennison in August, naval facility at Point Patience. (The naval air station across and a “birthday” party on October 23 — close to the actual the river had little effect on Solomons during the war, but had date of first opening on October 18, 1970. Watch for notices a considerable effect on St. Mary’s County.) Employment throughout the year. Continued on page 6 2 SUMMER CAMPS AT CMM It’s time to start thinking about what become pirates, complete with pirate to do with the kids for the summer – garb, eating pirate grub, and working the already! And we are here to help with deck. For fun, they will hunt for hidden lots of exciting summer camps that offer treasure, sing sea shanties, and sail the fun and learning. high seas on the “Jolly Roger” Wm. B. For rising first through third graders Tennison where an enemy attack is we are bringing back our most popular certain to take place. camp: Pirates and Scalawags. In this For children entering grades four adventure-filled week, campers will through six, it’s “Shark Attack!” time again. What child isn’t fascinated by sharks? In this camp, children explore the truth and the myth about these predators of the sea, search for evidence of sharks on our own beaches, visit the sharks at the National Aquarium in Bay Trek Camp Baltimore, and visit the SharkPoole. For young people entering grades six through nine, we have two dynamic camp offerings. In Bay Trek, campers explore the world of the Chesapeake Bay by going into, through, and over this Pirates and Scalawags Camp remarkable estuary. Our beautiful bay is in trouble, and young people in this camp will learn about the problems and express their findings to elected officials Cardboard Boat Regatta in letters. This is a field-based camp, Quarterly Newsletter of the so prepare to get wet and muddy! The Calvert Marine Museum second is another perennial favorite, the We also have two special camps (A Division of Calvert County Government) and the Cardboard Boat Regatta! In this camp, for Girl Scouts: Keep the Light Burning: Calvert Marine Museum Society, Inc. kids actually construct their own two- Brownie Try-It Camp where girls can (ISSN 0887-651X) person cardboard boat, spending hours earn five different Try-Its in the course of C. Douglass Alves Jr., Director designing, building, waterproofing, and the week; and Junior Girl Scout Badges Sherrod Sturrock, Deputy Director Paul L. Berry, Editor decorating their creations in preparation which allows campers to earn seven for the Saturday morning race. While badges, including three special badges Other contributor to this issue: Debra Strozier waiting for the paint to dry, they learn from other councils. Sherrod Sturrock about navigation, knot tying, how to All camps run for one week. sail a remote-controlled model sailboat, Schedule, fees, and registration The bugeye was the traditional sailing craft of the Bay, and was built in all its glory at Solomons, the docking, and marine safety. information are available on the Calvert “Bugeye Capital of the World.” Membership dues Middle schoolers entering grades Marine Museum web site: www. are used to fund special museum projects, programs, and printing of this newsletter. Address comments seven through nine can sign up for calvertmarinemuseum.com/education. and membership applications to: Junior Paleontologists camp where they Click on Summer Exploration Camps Calvert Marine Museum Society, Inc. comb local beaches for fossils millions to learn about all the camp offerings P.O. Box 97 of years old. Working with the museum’s in Southern Calvert through our Solomons, MD 20688-0097 410-320-2042 paleontologists campers will learn to collaboration with Annmarie Garden, FAX 410-326-6691 TDD 410-535-6355 identify and record their findings, make Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, Museum Store: 410-326-2750 a field jacket, use proper preparation and and Calvert County Natural Resources. www.calvertmarinemuseum.com preservation techniques, and construct a There is something for every child in display for their favorite fossil find. your family. SPRING 2010 3 Membership and Development COUNTRY STAR JOSH TURNER ROCK OUT WITH COMING TO CMM ON MAY 30 REO SPEEDWAGON & PAT BENATAR Country star Josh Turner ON SEPTEMBER 3 hits the CMM stage on Don’t miss rock legends REO Speedwagon and Pat Sunday, May 30. Tickets are Benatar performing live on September 3 at 7:30 p.m. at $48 and $38 (additional fees CMM. Tickets are $50 apply) and go on sale April 13 and $40 (additional fees for CMM members and April apply). Your passcode 20 for the public. Members’ and additional ticket passcode is: western. information will be Over the past 6 years, Josh Turner has quietly ascended emailed to you a week the path to country music stardom. Two of his hit singles— before tickets go on sale. “Your Man” and “Would You Go with Me”—have become REO Speedwagon is number one hits, and he’s a first-time nominee in the celebrating the 30th anniversary of its popular Hi Infidelity Country Music Association Awards’ prestigious male vocalist album, and their 2010 performances will feature hits like category. “Take It on the Run” and “Keep on Loving You,” as well as Real life — including heartaches, happiness, and songs like “Can’t Fight This Feeling.” everything in between — has had a way of finding itself Pat Benatar is a certified in the middle of Turner’s songs since he first burst onto the rock ‘n roll superstar and four- national country music scene in 2001. “The life that I live time Grammy winner with and the experiences that I have always affect what comes six platinum albums and hit out of me creatively. I think that’s what makes music real” singles like “Heartbreaker,” — multi-platinum MCA recording artist Josh Turner. “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” “Shadows of the Night,” LAUGH WITH BILL ENGVALL “Invincible,” and “Love Is a Battlefield.” Pat Benatar OF BLUE COLLAR COMEDY FAME shines in a live situation, and on June 26 two recent concert tours have given a whole new generation of fans a chance to see one Prepare to laugh out loud on Saturday, June 26, as of the great rock belters of all time.