BAE Systems and Community Support Opens
New Visitor Center at Sotterley Plantation
On May 1st, Sotterley Plantation officially opened for the guided tour season. This would not have been possible, however, if not for the generous support and hard work of several incredible members of the community, and under an extremely tight deadline! This joining of forces has not only transformed a building into our new Visitor Center, but also saved Sotterley thousands of dollars.
As many know, the basement wall of the former Museum Shop collapsed. The Knott House became the best choice to house both the Visitor Center and Museum Shop.
Just a mere three weeks out from the big day, several employees of BAE Systems rode in on their white horses (white trucks, actually) and transformed the one-time Knott House into the NEW Visitor Center and Museum Shop. Their worked ranged from reinforcing and re-hanging the ceiling, sanding and painting the Exhibit Room, Museum Shop, and restroom walls, building new bookshelves, purchasing and installing a new door and locks, repainting the outside railings, hanging new track lighting, moving electrical fixtures, and enclosing a closet. Over the past seven years, BAE Systems has consistently played a major role in enabling the site to remain open to the public, because of their continued belief in the Sotterley Plantation mission - of serving as an educational resource and cultural venue while seeking to preserve, interpret and research the plantation's diverse cultures and environments throughout its history. This latest incredible act of generosity is added to the long list of their support of Sotterley and other organizations within the community.
Dennis Kund, longtime supporter of Sotterley, created the new, incredible, you can't miss us now on-site signage. Over the years, this unsung hero has billed minimally for his services, donating most of it. His assistant Marguerite Seifert was a tremendous help in creating and installing the new artwork and signs. Clark's Flooring also donated well over half of the cost for the new carpet, padding, and installation.
Because of a generous community, Sotterley now boasts a new Visitor Center, and we're not done yet! More new exhibits are yet to come, and we hope to have many of these changes ready for our visitors this summer. Come and experience these magnificent changes at Sotterley for yourself!
2008 Education News and Updates
What was life like for a child over 200 years ago? The fifth grade students at Green Holly Elementary School now have a better understanding due to our Outreach Program held in January 2008. Learning is more than just what is taught in a classroom. Armed with some of the unique items used in our hands-on teaching, two Sotterley Plantation Educational Instructors introduced games of long ago, a substitute for bathing, writing with a quill pen, and the opportunity to try on 18th century clothing. Our Outreach Program allows us to share the Colonial Tidewater Plantation Life program with students that otherwise could not make it to the site. Since they cannot come to Sotterley, we take a part of history and Sotterley to them. (p.3)
For a traditional and quaint 4th of July celebration, join us at Sotterley Plantation for our annual Independence Day Celebration Concert on Sunday, July 4th from 1:00 p.m. - 4 p.m. Come and
enjoy an afternoon of music on the Portico, while taking in the breathtaking view of the Patuxent River! Pack your picnic baskets, bring along your lawn chairs and blankets, and listen to the
patriotic music renditions of the Chesapeake Orchestra Brass Quintet led by Maestro Jeffrey Silberschlag of St. Mary's College of Maryland.
To cool things down, Bruster's Real Ice Cream, with the best ice cream in the land, will offer a selection of their standard favorite flavors. "On A Roll" will sell hot dogs, the great American
food, with a variety of favorite fixings. And since no event is complete without kettle corn, Sir Pops A Lots will be on the hill popping away. Beer, wine, and cold drinks will also be available
for purchase. Take a chance at winning prizes at the Brown Bag Raffle and Silent Auction, including toys large and small, wine for the discerning taste, original artwork and prints, and the
gastronomic delights from local restaurants. Fun activities for children, too!-and-Nan-Suydam-(right)-with-former-Co-Chair-Bob-Aldridge.jpg)
