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February 3, 2026 |  |
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From the Editor
February invites us to pause and reflect on the many stories that shape Talbot County. As we observe Black History Month, we honor the resilience, leadership, and lasting contributions of Black Americans whose legacies are deeply woven into our community.
This month also provides an opportunity to recognize histories that long predate our county (and country) itself. Our Native American Heritage & Artifact Day offers space to learn about the Indigenous peoples who first lived on this land and to better understand the artifacts, traditions, and stories that connect us to that history.
Talbot250 is rooted in the belief that our history is not one story, but many. As we move toward our 250th anniversary in 2026, we invite you to engage with these stories and be part of the ongoing conversation about who we are and where we’re going.
Warm regards,
Sarah Kilmon
Communications Coordinator / Talbot250 Administrator
Talbot County Government
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FEB 4
Talbot County Free Library
100 West Dover Street
Easton, MD, 21601
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FEB 7
Water's Edge Museum 101 Mill Street Oxford, MD, 21654
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Water's Edge Museum: Guardians of the Coast
The Water’s Edge Museum is approaching its 5th anniversary! Join us as we recognize our achievements of the past year, celebrate Black History Month with the opening of two brand new exhibits, illuminate untold histories, and introduce new friends!
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FEB 14
Waterfowl Festival Building
40 South Harrison Street
Easton, MD, 21601
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208th Birthday of Frederick Douglass Valentines Day Gala
Join community leaders, elected officials, scholars, and members of the African Diaspora for a historic evening celebrating the 208th birthday of Frederick Douglass and the 100th anniversary of Negro History Week, the foundation of Black History Month.
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FEB 21
Waterfowl Festival Building
40 South Harrison Street
Easton, MD, 21601
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SIGNATURE EVENT
 Native American Heritage and Artifact Day
Celebrate Native American heritage with a day of culture, history, and living traditions. Meet collectors and Tradition Bearers as they demonstrate multiple Native American lifeways, sharing skills, knowledge, and stories passed down through generations. Learn more.
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FEB 23 - FEB 26
Various Locations
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SIGNATURE EVENT
 Uncle Nace: The Day Freedom Came
Born enslaved, Nathaniel “Uncle Nace” Hopkins became a Civil War soldier, community builder, and founder of Maryland’s first Emancipation Day celebration. This performance brings his journey from bondage to leadership in Talbot County to life through powerful storytelling with a one man performance by actor Darius Wallace.
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FEB 24
Talbot County Free Library
100 West Dover Street
Easton, MD, 21601
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Garden Club: Community Gardens
Join author and garden educator Teresa as she explores how community gardens can strengthen neighborhoods by turning green spaces into places for connection, learning, and shared stewardship. Learn more.
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Thelma Anna Cooper Alford dedicated her life to education, community service, and the fight for civil rights in Talbot County. Born and raised in Oxford, Maryland, she grew up in a large family, one of 13 children. Her path took her from a one-room schoolhouse to leading the local NAACP, making her one of the most influential figures in the county’s history. Read more about her at Thelma Alford — Talbot 250. |
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Celebrate Black History Year Round
It is the birthplace of Frederick Douglass and also the site of The Hill Community in Easton, one of the oldest free African American neighborhoods in the United States. With driving and walking tours, museums, and sites of interest, you can explore an area of great significance to America’s history.
Learn More
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 As Talbot County prepares to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and the County’s 365th anniversary, the Talbot250 Commission has been working to create a thoughtful and inclusive framework for this once-in-a-generation commemoration. Central to that effort is the development of four core themes that help guide programming, storytelling, and community participation.
📣 Our Four Themes
The themes — Freedom & the Pursuit of Liberty, Service & Civic Life, Voices of Talbot, and Rooted on the Water — were designed to be broad and flexible, allowing residents, organizations, artists, and educators to explore Talbot County’s history from many perspectives. Together, they reflect how national moments are experienced locally and how everyday people have shaped our shared story.
 Talbot's themes and monthly topics are now posted at talbot250.org/themes.
Whether through storytelling, service, arts and culture, or connections to land and water, these themes invite everyone to take part in Talbot250 and help bring our County’s history to life in meaningful ways.
Learn more about the themes and how to get involved at Talbot250.org/Themes.
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Follow Along & Join Us!
Through various events and initiatives, the Talbot250 Commission encourages local participation to ensure that everyone has a voice in commemorating this significant milestone.
We encourage the public to reach out to any commission member or attend one of meetings to learn more!
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