Thrills and Spills: The Golden Era of Powerboat Racing
On Sunday, June 23, the Calvert Marine Museum opens a new exhibit on the mezzanine level. “Thrills and Spills: The Golden Era of Powerboat Racing in Southern Maryland” traces the development, heyday, and eventual decline of the sport in the region. The story is told through remarkable photographs showing races in progress, drivers posing proudly with their boats and trophies, the inevitable ‘spills’ that seemed a part of every race, and the large crowds of spectators cheering on the shores. Punctuating the photographs are artifacts of the era, video, and the stories of the men and women who made racing history – at least on a local scale.
The exhibit includes three examples of powerboats that span the era of local racing. These have been lifted to the mezzanine level and are cantilevered out over the open exhibition hall below. Artifacts of the era are also on display, including trophies, racing engines, helmets and custom embroidered shirts and jackets typically worn by individual racers, and programs from races. Richard Dodds, the Curator for Maritime History, and Robert Hurry, the museum registrar have worked tirelessly researching information for the exhibit. Dodds stated, “Three years ago we started an intensive effort to document powerboat racing in the region. The peak period for the sport extended from the late 1940s until the early 1980s and drew thousands of spectators. It was an exciting and vibrant part of community life. We felt strongly that it was important to talk to the people who had experienced powerboat racing firsthand and to capture their stories.” Dodds continued with a smile, “There are a lot of characters and personalities involved, and their stories, even the unprintable ones, are fascinating.”
In conjunction with the exhibit, the museum’s Patuxent Small Craft Guild is constructing a wooden runabout based on William D. Jackson designs. The fourteen-foot utility racer is a hybrid using Jackson’s Mustang hull plan and his Meteor deck plan. It will be displayed in the Exhibition Hall and sold later to raise funds for small craft preservation program.
The exhibit, “Thrills and Spills – the Golden Era of Powerboat Racing in Southern Maryland,” and accompanying book by the same title, tell this fascinating story. The publication, as well as powerboat racing merchandise, will be available for sale in the Museum Store.
Prior to the opening, the museum is hosting a reunion of former powerboat racers from the region, and a videographer will be on hand to record some of their stories. This is truly a case of bringing history to life. The exhibit will be open through 2014.
The museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. New admission fees effective July 1, 2013. Admission is $9.00 for adults, $7.00 for seniors and military with valid I.D., and $4.00 for children ages 5 – 12; children under 5 and museum members are always admitted free. For more information about the museum, upcoming events, or membership, visit the website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call 410-326-2042. Become a fan on Facebook.
