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Marking 350 Years of History
Muster Report
On the Battle of the Severn Reenactment
by TaNoah Morgan, Sun Staff

Robert Giglio(left) and Thomas Callaway Portrayed Leonard Strong and Gov. William Stone last year in St. Mary's City, re-enacting the Battle of the Severn.

Annapolis and Anne Arundel County have planned a year filled with cultural activities to commemorate the region's humble beginnings.

Celebrate 350 years Annapolis and Anne Arundel will help residents and visitors look back at the events and people who have shaped the county and state capitol with programs desingned to entertain as well as educate.

"I think history can be exciting," said Linell Bowen, Executive Director of Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts who serves on the Celebrate 350 steering committee. "I think this 350 is going to bring it alive for our kids."

The events started at the First Night Annapolis last week, when organizers passed out birthday cake to revelers and gave a short presentation about early settlers. The celebration continues with an art exhibit that opens tomorrow at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts on Chase Street and later this month with an eight week lecture series.

The art exhibit will include contemporary paintings and photographs from scenes from Annapolis and the county from different periods. The lecture series will cover topice such as preservation, artists, architecture, wars and archeology and tie in musical and theatrical performances.

Other events will highlight historic moments such as George Washington resigning his commission at the Maryland State House after the Revolutionary War. But it will also pay tribute to the contributions of indentured servents and contemporary Africa-American families.

Events include a poster contest for schoolchildren, a dance for adults and tours of historic homes throughout the County.

"The history isn't highways and these other things, it's people." Bowen said. "I hope this will help people from the north county, south county, east and west all come together." Events planned include:

The Passport to History, a booklet with descriptions of 18 historic sites in the county. The passports will be distributed through schools, visitors centers and outlets. Visitors to the sites will have their pages stamped and passport holders who wisit every site will be eligible for prizes and drawings.
A re-enactment of the Battle of the Severn at St. John's College in April. The skirmish in 1655 between Puritan sttlers and Gov. William Stones forces was the first clash between Englishmen on the North American continent - hinting at the tensions that would fuel the Revolutionary War.
An Independence Day historical pageant at Maryland Hall with actors portraying characters from different periods in the county's history.

Puritans from Virginia moved to Maryland by invitation from the second Lord Baltimore, Cecil Calvert, who hoped they would sign an oath of allegiance to him and help him stabilize control over the colony. They settled at what is now Greenbury Point in December 1949, calling their settlement Providence, and began tabacco farming.

Less thatn a year later, Lord Baltimore granted Anne Arundel County its charter, naming it after his wife, the Lady Anne Arundel.

By 1694, the population had shifted across the river to an area settlers called Arubdelton, and Gov. Francis Nicholson moved the capital from St. Mary's City to the more central location, renaming it Annapolis after the princess Anne who later became queen of England and later granted Annapolis its charter.

"The goal is to bring history alive for everyone," saif Jeff Holland, who is organizing events. "At first, you think it's just silly people walking around in pilgriim clothes, but soon you get to see these are real people with very strong feeliings about living here."