Just for Kids
The Chesapeake Children’s Museum has developed many family activities for youngsters based on themes within Charter 300. Scout programs, school curriculum and independent programs galore will highlight the “takeaways” that will provide a lasting legacy of this commemorative year. Contact the Museum at 410 990-1993 or info@theccm.org.
We need volunteers and energy to bring it all to life. Check the Participate page for more information on which events need leadership.
Push-Pull Stories
Chesapeake Children's Museum, 25 Silopanna Road
Call Chesapeake Children's Museum for an Oral History Questionnaire for children to interview family members about why they came to this area to live.
Info: 410 990-1993 or info@theccm.org
Winners Announced | See a Video of the Winners
On April 12, the Junior Towne Crier Competition, sponsored by Watermark, was held as part of the Annapolis Alive! celebration. The competition was a precursor to the North American Town Crier
competition to be held on May 3rd during the Maryland Maritime Heritage
Festival in Annapolis. “The purpose of this event was to
show the youth of today where the concept of modern mass media came from and to give them a ‘hands on’ experience of what it was like to deliver the news of the day in Colonial Times,” said Tom Plott, Entertainment Director for Watermark. In this modern age of TV, the internet and wireless communication, Watermark felt it was time to
expose students to the original Mass Media: Towne Crying!
The competition was open to all schools in the state of Maryland, and winners were selected
from the Elementary, Middle and High School levels.
Students prepared a 40-100 word ’cry’ based on an event in Maryland history. Topics ranged from the founding of the Maryland colony all the way up to the Colts leaving Baltimore. Winners were selected by a panel of judges and will accompany Squire Frederick as hosts for the North American Towne Crier Championship on May 3rd.
Wednesday, December 3 - Celebration of the Proclamation of the Charter
State House
6 p.m.
The final event of the 2008 celebration year is the commemoration of the granting of the Charter on its actual 300th anniversary, December 3.
Descendants of original Annapolis families will join members of other local families in the public reading of the Charter on the porch of the State House overlooking Francis Street. An array of local and statewide dignitaries will be in attendance as well.
This family-centered event will feature costumed hosts and hostesses along with Squire Frederick, the Annapolis Town Crier, who will welcome attendees on the State House lawn. Special musical selections will be played as part of the ceremony and hot cider and hot chocolate will be served to keep everyone warm on what promises to be an unforgettable December evening.Additional plans are still in the works, so stay tuned for exciting details.
Friday, December 5 - Three Centuries of Celebration Preview
William Paca House, 186 Prince George Street
5 p.m. - 7 p.m. HAF Members’ Preview; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Public open House
Bring the whole family to a magical tour of the William Paca House with the premiere of the special holiday exhibit created by our volunteers. Mingle with costumed interpreters and learn how Annapolis celebrated the holidays in past centuries. Enjoy seasonal music and dessert refreshments.Volunteers willing to assist with the event are welcome. Contact maria.day@annapolis.org or Alexandra.deutsch@annapolis.org
Saturday, December 27 - Kwanzaa Celebration
10:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Hands-on activities teach the symbols and the seven principles of this African American holiday: Togetherness, Self-determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith.
Free with museum admission - $3 for ages 1 and up.
Info: 410 990-1993 or info@theccm.orgSaturday, December 27 - Hispanic New Year's Eve
2-3:30 p.m.
Stuff the Old Man with your faults and transgressions from last year. Pop a raisin in your mouth for each of the 12 chimes of the clock at midnight. Help make a piñata and bash it in to celebrate a wonderful new year!
$8 per child, ages 6 to 12
nfo: 410 990-1993 or info@theccm.org
Ongoing Events
All Year - Tapestry 300 Annapolis
Three magnificent tapestries and several smaller pieces depicting 300 years of Annapolis’ development will be displayed throughout the city. All are welcome to stitch in time under the guidance of a skilled needlepoint craftsperson. Free.
All Year - Windships and Kinships
photo by Richard Chomitz
official Charter 300 photographerA centerpiece of the 300th Celebration is “Windships and Kinships,” an international program that includes several exciting events with our friends in Annapolis’s sister city, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. Several events are planned to share the unique and special cultural difference between Annapolis, Maryland, and Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada.
We were honored to partake in their 400th celebration in 2005 as the oldest settlement in North America and, in return, they are sharing in our 300th in 2008.
In June 2007, the Province of Nova Scotia sent Canada’s sailing ambassador, Bluenose II, to visit, along with the group Musique 400. Hosted at the U.S. Naval Academy, her crew joined in with a traditional Nova Scotian kitchen party sponsored by the Castlebay Pub on Main Street. Vince has declared this his best night ever!
Photo above by Richard Chomitz, official Charter 300 photographer.
Several officials, including the Speaker of the House of Assembly, The Honourable Cecil Clark; Leader of the Opposition, The Honourable Darrel Dexter; Mayor John Kinsella of Annapolis Royal; as well as Lt. Col. Rod MacDonald from the Royal Military College; visited in 2007.
Some of the planned events over the next year, subject to funding and schedules, are as follows:
- Cadets of the Royal Military College (RMC) will perform a Sunset Ceremony / Freedom of the City Parade in September
- Exchange of Symphonies, Annapolis Symphony Orchestra to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Symphony Nova Scotia to visit Annapolis, times and dates TBD.
Through 2010 - ArtWalk: Annapolis the Beautiful
This epic outdoor art exhibition takes to the streets, celebrating our city's people, places and historic events, and featuring works by some of Annapolis’ most celebrated artists, including the late Marion Warren, Sally Comport, Sy Mohr (right), George Lassie Belt, and Greg Harlin. Free.
