Celebrate 40 years of dedicated service and accomplishments with the Calvert Marine Museum in 2010. The unveiling of the Founder’s Plaque kicked off the year long celebration on March 9, 2010. The museum’s founders wanted to create a place that would preserve the stories and artifacts of a way of life that was already disappearing in the early 1970s. As it exists today, the museum is their legacy, built on the vision and belief that there is value in knowing where we’ve come from.
The founders were an interesting lot. The earliest documented suggestion that there should be a museum came from James LeRoy “Pepper” Langley who in 1967 spoke to Joseph C. Lore, Jr., then owner of the Lore Oyster House. The idea was embraced by a trio of committed enthusiasts who formed the nucleus of the first museum. Bill Dovel describes Dan Barrett, Alton Kersey, and himself as “a naval construction foreman, the manager of the local oyster house, and a fisheries biologist…who had the audacity to believe they could create a museum…” After getting an offer of free land from John Bluster, they took their proposal to the Calvert County Historical Society, then under the chairmanship of Joseph Lore, and received modest financial backing. And they were off. Construction started in November of 1969 and was completed the following year with over 1,454 volunteer hours. The total cost of the building was $5,366. To great fanfare and excitement, The Solomons Maritime Museum, the original name, was opened to the public on October 18, 1970 in a small building on the island next to where Stoney’s Kingfishers is now located.
In 1973, the Historical Society was granted the use of the vacated Solomons School for a permanent home and renovations began on that building. The first director, Dr. Ralph Eshelman was hired in 1974 and he brought his interest in paleontology and geology to the museum, greatly expanding the mission and professionalizing the organization. In 1975, the museum moved to its current site and became The Calvert Marine Museum. The same year, The Drum Point Lighthouse was moved to the site. In 1979, the museum acquired the Lore Oyster House, which had closed in the mid-1970s, and the Wm. B. Tennison. That year the museum was transferred from the Historical Society to Calvert County Government.
Founded by community volunteers, the museum was built and expanded with the help of hundreds of dedicated community members who poured their time, money, expertise, and energy into this institution. It continues to thrive as a vibrant extension of the community. Everyone is invited to celebrate at the Calvert Marine Museum annual events: Maritime Festival on May 1, Sharkfest on July 10, Patuxent River Appreciation Days on October 9 and 10, and the Solomons Christmas Walk on December 3 and 4. Mark your calendar for added festivities with the CMM Birthday Party on Saturday, October 23. Enjoy a day with music, games, prizes, food, and fun! The year-long celebration is sponsored by Community Bank of Tri-County.
Join the Calvert Marine Museum in celebrating 40 years of excellence in 2010. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and military with valid I.D., and $2 for children ages 5 – 12; children under 5 are free. For a complete listing of museum activities and programs, visit the website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call (410) 326-2042 ext. 41 for more information. Become a fan on Facebook.
