Leonardtown, MD — Recognizing the role historic preservation plays in enhancing the quality of life, while providing local residents with a greater understanding of the richness and diversity of their cultural and architectural heritage, the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County honored a number of people for their work in celebrating and preserving the cultural heritage of the county.
• St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron was honored for his years of work in researching the 375-year history of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.
• St. Mary’s County Tourism Manager Carolyn Laray, Leonardtown Town Administrator Laschelle McKay and Leonardtown Events Coordinator Maria Fleming were recognized for organizing the War of 1812 event which attracted upwards of 10,000 people to Leonardtown last June.
Other winners included:
• Jeanne Pirtle received a service award for producing a pictorial book entitled “Sotterley Plantation” and researched Sotterley’s archives and local resources to tell the stories of all who lived and worked there
• Nancy D. Wolfe of Chaptico was honored for her work in establishing the Wicomico Valley Foundation of Southern Maryland which placed more than 850 acres (Lower Brambly, Chaptico; Little Hackley in Colton’s Point and Wicomico Fields in Chaptico) in preservation. She has also placed 750 acres (at Allen’s Fresh) in the same Foundation thus setting aside and preserving over 1,600 acres for future generations
• Edward Lawrence was posthumously awarded a lifetime service award for maintaining the historic structure and fabric of Tudor Hall, which houses the St. Mary’s County Historical Society
• David Brown was recognized for his study of George Plater, the owner of Sotterley Plantation from 1755 to 1792. Mr. Brown’s study, which looked at the Sotterley enterprise as a whole, was published in November, 2014. He has also placed some of George Plater’s
• Archaeologist Dr. Timothy Riordan received a lifetime achievement award for providing lectures and demonstrations to Historic St. Mary’s City and across the state for over 30 years. He was also recognized for publishing Plundering Times, the story of Ingles Revolt during Colonial Times, one of the most significant studies of early Maryland. Dr. Riordan has broadened the world’s knowledge of 17th century Maryland and has mentored young archaeologists or anyone with an interest in Archaeology or the history of Maryland.
Photos from the ceremony courtesy of the St. Mary’s County Public Information Office.
