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(May 20, 2026) Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum (JPPM), a division of the
Maryland Historical Trust (MHT), was recently awarded $59,715 of grant funding
by National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways to create a long-term exhibit
entitled “Witnesses of Wallville: A Rural Community in Context.” JPPM’s mission
is to preserve and share the diverse stories found on Maryland’s landscape and
in its archaeological resources.
“Following on the success of the earlier Witnesses of Wallville research project,
Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum is pleased to be able to continue this work
through the creation of an exhibit that will connect park visitors with this rural
community,” said MHT Director Elizabeth Hughes. “We envision the exhibit as a
means to inspire visitors to have a greater awareness of their ever-evolving
relationships with each other, their communities, and the Chesapeake region.”
The exhibit will convey the story of Wallville’s residents from the US Civil War
through the first half of the 20th century in a thought-provoking and engaging way
that challenges visitors to see the parallels between past and present, while
exploring the history of a rural Chesapeake community, its people, and their
relationships. In addition, the exhibit will motivate visitors to continue exploring
the above themes by encouraging participation in other JPPM programs and
events which investigate similar topics, by promoting visitation to partner
institutions such as the Calvert Marine Museum, and inspiring an appreciation for
the natural and cultural landscape of smaller dispersed communities of the
Chesapeake Bay region.
JPPM is seeking input from local community members on the creation of the
exhibit. National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways (NPS Chesapeake Gateways)
offers competitive grant opportunities to advance the Chesapeake Bay Initiative
Act of 1998 within the full 41-million-acre Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Chesapeake Gateways grants inspire and help people discover, experience, and
connect with Chesapeake places and experiences across its rivers, landscapes,
and communities to enhance stewardship, heritage, and outdoor tourism
economies throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Jefferson Patterson Park Museum (JPPM) encompasses 560 scenic acres
along the Patuxent River in Calvert County, Maryland, and contains more than 70
identified archaeological sites documenting 9,000 years of documented human
occupation. For more information on JPPM, go to https://jefpat.maryland.gov/.
About National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways: Established by
Congress in 1998, Chesapeake Gateways is a partnership network and
community assistance program coordinated by the National Park Service.
Headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, the program serves the full 41-million-
acre Chesapeake Bay watershed, supporting and promoting authentic
Chesapeake experiences for local communities and visitors. Visit us at
www.nps.gov/Chesapaeake, on Facebook www.facebook.com/ChesapeakeNPS,
and Instagram www.Instagram.com/ChesapeakeNPS.
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