Legacy Day – a festival that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of African Americans in Kent County – has occurred each August for the past eight years. It is offered free of charge to the public, thanks to the sponsorships of individuals and organizations.
Legacy Day 2022 honors Kent County’s African American Veterans. In addition to the exhibition at the Bordley Building of the Historical Society, a wide range of programs and exhibits will be offered over Legacy Day Weekend.
To date, the Sumner Hall Veterans Project has identified almost 1,700 African American men and women from Kent County who have served in the military, beginning in the Revolutionary War until the present day.
We invite the community to contact us with the names of additional veterans so that we can add them to our honor roll. Please see the form below to submit information on local veterans.
The Program
August 1 – 31
- Honoring Kent County’s Black Veterans. Exhibit at the Historical Society of Kent County – Bordley Building on High Street.
- Black Legacies: Kent’s 1800’s Heroes. Historical Posters in store windows,
provided by Downtown Chestertown Association.
August 11
- Racism, Reconciliation and Reward: Experiences of Blacks in Military Life. Panel Discussion at 7:00 pm, streamed live via Sumner Hall’s Facebook page.
August 19 – 21
- Black Legacies: Kent’s 1800’s Heroes Scavenger Hunt sponsored by the
Downtown Chestertown Association. Prizes valued at $100 to be awarded at August 20th Dance Party. - African American Art Exhibit featuring African American artists, sponsored by RiverArts at its Arts Alive Studio, corner of High and North Queen Streets. August 19: 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm; August 20: 12:00 am – 5:00 pm; August 21: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm.
August 19
- Honoring Kent County’s Black Veterans Exhibit at Bordley Center – special showing for Legacy Day 2022 honorees. 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
- Program and Reception for honorees, including the story of creating the exhibit by Bill Leary and a reenactment talk by historian Louis Carter at Garfield Center for the Arts. 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.
- After Party Dance Party with DJ Real on High Street, in front of the Garfield. 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm.
August 20
- Preserving Black History Workshop presented by the Chesapeake Heartland Project Team at Sumner Hall and streamed live via Sumner Hall’s Facebook page. 10:00 am – 11:30 am.
- Box Luncheon for workshop participants and Legacy Day 2022 honorees at Sumner Hall. 11:30 am – 12:30 pm.
- Black Jacks – the story of African American Sailors. Author Jeff Bolster will present the findings of his book and respond to questions at the Garfield Center for the Arts. Sponsored by Sultana Education Foundation. 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm.
- Dedication of Aunt Sarah’s Playground. Join Town officials as they honor beloved resident Sarah Derry and officially open the new playground in Wilmer Park. 2:30 pm.
- Fight for Freedom – Civil War 360 {Smithsonian Institution’s documentary on the Massachusetts 54th Regiment, USCT (United States Colored Troops)}. 3:00 pm.
- Festival in Wilmer Park Begins. Food, Craft Vendors, Information Booths, USCT Camp Site with Reenactors. 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm.
- Greek Stroll Competition in Wilmer Park. Members of the “Divine Nine” will compete for a Grand Prize. 4:00 pm.
- Opening Ceremonies in Wilmer Park. Features recognition of African American Veterans. 5:30 pm.
- Dance Party & Band with the Comfort Zone and DJ Real. Wilmer Park. Wilmer Park at 6:30 pm.
August 21
- Discipline, Distinction, Destiny – the role of HBCUs in the US Military and American culture. Panel Discussion streamed live via Sumner Hall’s Facebook page. 12:30 pm.
- Interfaith Memorial Service to Honor African American Veterans of Kent County, Memorial Park, High Street, Chestertown. 2:00 pm.
The Production Team
Legacy Day 2022 is produced by Sumner Hall with the Historical Society of Kent County, Maryland and supported by our partners: Chesapeake Heartland of The Starr Center at Washington College, Chestertown RiverArts, Downtown Chestertown Association, Garfield Center for the Arts, Hedgelawn Foundation, Kent County Economic Development Office, Kent Cultural Alliance, Sultana Education Foundation, and the Town of Chestertown.
Sponsors
R&B – $1,000+
Charles E. Conklin, Jr.
The Peoples Bank
JAZZ – $500
Anonymous
Cross Street Realtors
Margie & Mickey Elsberg
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Heron Point
Hope Fellowship
Kent County Government
BLUES – $250
Occasions Catering
David Bowering & Barbara Jorgenson
Doug Ashley Realtors
Graves Family Foundation
Kent School
Rita & Dan Premo
Gale E. Rasin
Marjo Rasin
Vanessa & Alivin Ringgold
Riverside Unique
Cynthia Saunders
Lainie & Ralph Surette
HIP HOP – $100
Janine Gray Ashbey
Barbara Bedell
Anne Bricker
Norris Commodore
Contagions Creations
David A. Bramble Inc.
Terra S. Deaton
Evergrain Bread Company
Linda & Philip Dutton
Sally S. Faulkner
Barbara & David Foster
Joan & Thomas Groce
Jon Hanley
Jane Hukill
Ellen Jacobson & Daniel Ehrenberg
Sherise Kennard
Michael Lamb
Glenn Michael
Andrew Oros & Steve Clemons
Rasin, Wootton & Hurd
Robert Ortiz Studio
Marcia & John Ramsey
Melinda Robinson & Jerome Hutchins
Cheryl & James Saunders
Lani Seikaly
Todd’s Body Shop
Beryl Smith
Beverly & Kurt Smith
Unitarian Universalists of the Chester River
RAGTIME – $50
Margie Baker
Jonathan Chase
Anne Keer Charles
Cochran Glass & Mirror
Genevieve Coyle
Monique Upshur Davis
Ralph J. Deaton
Sud Deringer
Dukes-Moore Insurance Agency
Lynn Gersert
Barbara in den Bosch
Sue & Simon Kenyon
Alisha R. Knight
Liminal Solutions Psychotherapy & Consulting, LLC
Tim O’Brien
Suzanne & Stephen Prentice
Jeanette Sherbondy & George Shivers
Shore-To-Be-Fun
Betty Spence
The Finishing Touch
Twigs & Teacups
Dora and Larry Wilson
BEBOP – $25
Jada Aristilde
Gayle Folger
David Hoatson & Debra Hanover
Beryl Kemp
Sharon & Hayward Lunn
Carol Niemand
Caren Samuels
Legacy Day Committee
Nivek M. Johnson, Chairperson
Jamie Barrett
Sally Borghardt
Tawnese Butler
Rev. Robert Brown
Dianne Carroll
Jana Carter
Carolyn Simone Collins
Rev Monique Davis
Terra Deaton
Mary Fisher
Peter Heck
Yvette Hynson
Barbara in den Bosch
Jane Jewell
Airlee Ringgold Johnson
Bill Leary
Joyce Moody
Terrance Moody
Leslie Prince Raimond
Jeanette Sherbondy
George Shivers
Ruth Shoge
Vanessa Ringgold
Linda Reed
Lainie Surrette

Legacy Day is produced by Sumner Hall with the Historical Society of Kent County