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[An event jointly sponsored by the Port Deposit Chamber of Commerce]
 The Town of Port Deposit is one of the many stops the recreated shallop (open boat) tracing the 1607-1608 journeys of Captain John Smith will make in 2007. The shallop with crew will arrive in Port Deposit Saturday, July 21, kicking-off a day filled with a host of events from living history, to genealogical presentations, to an art gallery and heritage sutlers (merchants).
Visitors to the town will find a variety of events and activities to entertain and educate from the Susquehanna Waterfront to Main Street, including:
Marina Park as Heritage Park
Marina Park along Port Deposit’s Susquehanna River waterfront will be converted to “Heritage Park” for the day, with a timeline history event beginning at the shallop and the 1608 contact period and running the length of the park to the Bainbridge Memorial and World War II living historians. At all points on the heritage timeline between will be living historians, re-enactors, sutler (merchants), artisans, vendors, lecturers and activities from all periods in between.
Among the periods and units represented are:
- Snow’s Battery B 1st Maryland Light Artillery, featured on the front cover of the March/April edition of Cecil Soil Magazine, with cannon firing and an encampment;
- Camp Flintlock featuring an encampment and living history demonstrations and activities the public can enjoy;
- A visit from the square rigged tall ship the "Lioness" who is threatening Snow's Battery B with a fusillade of cannon shot (Boaters are requested to ensure they are not between the Lioness and the shore during this event);
- A Revolutionary and Civil War medicine presentation; native edible plants activities;
- French & Indian War re-enactors; Revolutionary War re-enactors and a 1776 skit; and much, more.
A stage will also be near the shallop, docked at Port Deposit's newly restored jetty, with a variety of period entertainment. Nearby will be the open air museum set up by the Sultana Project, Friends of Captain John Smith and National Geographic to educate the public about Smith’s journey, the Chesapeake Bay, Native American Woodland history, and our shared past.
Town Hall as Susquehanna Gallery
Port Deposit’s Town Hall will turn into the Susquehanna Gallery for the day, with artists offered free space to showcase their wares if they display a piece inspired by the Susquehanna within the Susquehanna Gallery. Artists of all media from oils to pastels, water colors to sculpture, pottery to photography, print making to carving are invited and encouraged to participate.
 Center Square as Port Deposit Homecoming
Port Deposit’s Center Square will welcome home residents past and present to genealogical displays by professional researchers as well as familial researchers adding branches to their family tree one step at a time. A computer station, sponsored by Paul Risk Associates will be housed in their offices with free access and assistance to genealogical websites and printed materials to help visitors start their search for familial roots. A Native American genealogical research exhibit has also been added. Other genealogical organizations, historians, heraldry societies, cultural organizations, and professional researchers will also be on hand, with additional organizations being added daily.
Center Square will also welcome a number of writers who will offer their volumes for sale, be available to talk to the visiting public about their work and sign their volumes.
History & Activities Abound
Along Main Street at the Port Deposit Presbyterian Church will be displays featuring local history, both of Port Deposit and Cecil County, with photographic displays and local historians. Port Deposit Heritage Corporation will exhibit a Native American artifacts display.
The US Naval Training Center Bainbridge Historical Association, will welcome visitors to their museum on Rowland Drive, and sell tickets to the throngs of people interested in touring the former Bainbridge Naval Training Center. They will also have memorabilia for sale at their museum and a host of unique displays to tell the story of this Navy base once located at Port Deposit.
 Services
Parking will be available at House #2 of the Water Witch Volunteer Fire Company on Jacob Tome Highway, which will be clearly marked. Shuttle bus service will be provided to a Center Street bus stop and a Marina Park bus stop throughout the day.
Downtown businesses will be open to visitors and informational sheets and schedules will be posted throughout town.
Tell Me MORE!
Those interested in being a sponsor, exhibitor or vendor for this exciting once in a lifetime 400th anniversary event are asked to contact Erika Quesenbery at johnsmith400@portdepositcc.org
Learn More about the Project
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