For the first time ever, the official, Maryland Tourism website, VisitMaryland.org, invites visitors to our State to "Experience the History of Acadians in Maryland" and our unique story-- that has over 900 Acadians deported by the British to the State of Maryland after 1755 - is in the top 12 Activities to explore Maryland History and Heritage! Thank you to the Tourism Office of the State of Maryland and my esteemed colleagues: R. Martin Guidry and Greg Wood who collaborated with me to bring this challenging project forward to a successful outcome. Acadian cousins will now be able to follow ALL of their ancestors' footsteps -- and encounter some of Maryland's most picturesque and beautiful areas when they do! Visit: http://www.visitmaryland.org/…/top-twelve-activities-to-exp… Travel by Ancestry -- to the "Acadians in Maryland" Historic Marker in Princess Anne Maryland!8/5/2013
Dedicated July 28th, 2013, the "Acadians in Maryland" historic marker, installed and maintained by the State of Maryland, connects the dots for those whose Acadian ancestors lived in Maryland prior to their arrival in Louisiana. The marker is the first in the State of Maryland to recognize the little-known history of the Acadians who were sent to Maryland following their forced expulsion from Nova Scotia in 1755. For your heritage journey, to be complete, you MUST include a trip to Princess Anne, Maryland on Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore where you will observe the Acadians in Maryland sign, read the words, and recall the trials of Acadian ancestors. On your visit to the Eastern Shore, plan to visit the Old White Marsh Church ruins off of Route 50, then take a walk along the waterfront in Oxford, Maryland, and then wind your way down to Princess Anne, Maryland to observe the State's ONLY "Acadians in Maryland" historic marker. Drive to the shores of the Wicomico River and imagine the Sloop Elizabeth sitting in its waters, her captain impatiently awaiting food and supplies that never came. Follow the Beach to Bay Indian Trail to the Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum where the swamp lands and surrounding forests hold the memories of ancestors who struggled to make their way through them. Tour Snow Hill, and you'll be able to capture an idea of what Acadian ancestors may have seen and experienced while living on the Delmarva Peninsula as they did for about a dozen years. The words selected by the Maryland Historical Trust communicate the Acadian story with exceptional clarity. The dedication, which occurred on the Acadian Day of Remembrance, was a wonderful event, and attendance was excellent. Photographs Courtesy Nancy Kurtz, Maryland Historical Trust Additional Photos New Maryland Historical Trust Sign Unveiled Recognition Given to Acadian Heritage Nearly 260 years ago a small group of refugees landed on the shores of Maryland against their will. The year was 1755, during the outset of the French and Indian War, but a different war was being waged against the French Catholics - known as Acadians - as they were expelled from their lands in Nova Scotia, Canada. Four shiploads, carrying about 900 Acadians, were unloaded on the shores of Maryland in November 1755 and by 1770 the majority of these displaced Acadians left by ship to Louisiana. Rarely discussed in history books, these Acadian people were the early settlers of Oxford, Newtown (today Chestertown), Georgetown, Fredericktown, Baltimore, Annapolis, Upper Marlboro, Lower Marlboro and Port Tobacco and many of their names are found in the Maryland 1763 Acadian census. At the Manokin River Park on July 28, 2013 at 3:00 pm, a Maryland Historical Trust Sign will be unveiled, recognizing the Acadians' contribution to Maryland's mainstream history and experience on the Eastern Shore. Click here to read more... Nova Scotia's warming up! (Elsewhere too!)...and the festival season is beginning. Here are some links to help you begin your travel-by-ancestry adventure! http://canada.travelall.com/ns/eventcalendar.htm and here's a not-to-be-missed festival: http://www.festivalacadiendeclare.ca/en/ and don't forget to add this date to your calendar: http://www.novascotia.com/en/home/thingstoseeanddo/listingdetails.aspx/mi%27kmaq-acadian-festval/-24764 Here's one from Newfoundland! http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/planyourtrip/festivalsevents and another location: http://gowesternnewfoundland.com/activities/mikmaq-museumtte-du-cap-park/ Stay tuned for another historic event, as related to our ancestry, planned for July 28th, in Princess Anne, Maryland...details coming soon! Plan to be in Louisiana in October for the Acadian - Cajun festival season! http://lafayettetravel.com/play/festivalsevents/festival-acadiens Let's not forget to go to Maine! http://www.abbemuseum.org/calendar/july.html |
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