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May 1, 2026 |  |
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From the Editor
I love this time of year in Talbot County. Everything feels a little more alive—the water, the landscapes, the towns—and it’s a reminder of what makes this community so special.
This month’s theme, Stories That Shape Us, is about more than history. It’s about experiencing it. Throughout May, we’ll be sharing stories on Facebookand asking questions to invite you into the conversation. What places, people, and moments have shaped your connection to Talbot County? I hope you’ll follow along.
But even more than that, I hope you’ll get outside and explore. Visit the Shorelines of Time exhibition, walk through the homes and gardens on the Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage, or simply take in the views that have shaped life here for generations. Sometimes the best way to connect with our story is just to step into it.
Warm regards,
Sarah Kilmon
Communications Coordinator / Talbot250 Administrator
Talbot County Government
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MAY 2
11864 Kittys Corner Road
Cordova, MD 21625
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MAY 2
St. Michaels Museum
201 E. Chestnut Street
St. Michaels, MD 21663
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Opening Day at St. Michaels Museum
Kick off the season with free admission on May 2 and explore local history through exhibits and guided walking tours. Weekend hours continue through October.
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MAY 2
Idlewild Park
115 Idlewild Ave
Easton, MD 21601
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 Multicultural Festival
Experience the diverse cultures that shape our community through music, dance, food, and art in this vibrant annual celebration.
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SIGNATURE EVENT
Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage — Talbot County Tour
May 9, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., rain or shine, Various Locations
Celebrate Maryland’s 250th anniversary and Talbot County’s 365th year by exploring the region’s deep colonial roots and coastal beauty on the Maryland House and Garden Tour of Talbot County. This year’s tour features historic homes, gardens, and landmarks that trace the county’s early settlement along the Chesapeake Bay, from the bustling crossroads of Easton to the scenic waterways of Oxford and St. Michaels.
Visitors will step inside the Third Haven Meeting House, the nation’s oldest Quaker house of worship, and the newly restored Neall House at the Talbot Historical Society, while discovering the stories of influential families like the Lloyds, Tilghmans, and Hambletons. Along the route, guests will experience the enduring legacy of Talbot’s Revolutionary-era figures and the timeless charm of its grand estates and waterfront landscapes.
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MAY 16
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
213 North Talbot Street
St. Michaels, MD 21663
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Chesapeake Celebrations: Savor the Shore
Celebrate the flavors and traditions of the Eastern Shore with food, drink, and waterfront experiences that reflect our maritime heritage. Tickets included with general admission and free for CBMM members.
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MAY 2 - JUNE 28
The Market at Dover Station
500 Dover Road
Easton, MD 21601
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SIGNATURE EVENT
 Shorelines of Time: Celebrating Talbot250
Shorelines of Time is an art exhibition by the Working Artists’ Forum exploring the landscapes, traditions, and people that shape Talbot County’s story. Featuring artwork inspired by local history and waterways, along with a community-created Talbot250 Paper Quilt, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on what makes Talbot County special.
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MAY 20
Avalon Theatre
40 East Dover Street
Easton, MD 21601
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Solomon Barrott (1763–1851) enlisted in the Revolutionary War at age sixteen and served as a drummer in the Maryland Line, fighting in major battles of the Southern Campaign through the surrender at Yorktown. Remembered as “The Little Drummer Boy” and the last surviving member of the Maryland Line, he later returned to Easton, where he lived as a respected citizen and is buried at Spring Hill Cemetery. Read more about him at Solomon Barrott — Talbot 250. |
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NOW OPEN: The Rise and Fall of Colonial Oxford Exhibit
Oxford was ‘Carried on the Tide’ of the Revolution. ‘The Rise and Fall of Colonial Oxford’ is the story that the Oxford Museum is preparing. This year, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the Revolution. Fortunes rose like the tides, and for some, like the tides, fortunes fell.
Learn More
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A County in Its Own Words
Suzanne Stoltenberg has been hauling this project all over Talbot County. There are paper triangles, poster board signs, prompts, pens, glue, tape, and the fabric backing that will eventually hold it all together. There is also Stoltenberg, sitting behind a table, convincing people they really do have something worth writing down.
Read More
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We’ve had a lot of people ask how they can be part of Talbot250 in a visible, everyday way.
Our Talbot250 Bonfire store now includes a yard flag and a newly released t-shirt, both designed to celebrate America’s 250th right here in Talbot County. You may start seeing these around the community, and that’s exactly the idea.
This isn’t really meant to be a fundraiser. We’re only making a small margin on each item—just enough to support printing costs. The real goal is to give people a way to show their community pride and be part of the celebration.
Items are printed to order, so they do take a little time to arrive. If you’re hoping to have yours in time for June and July celebrations, we recommend ordering early.
 Flags and apparel celebrating America’s 250th in Talbot County. Shop at www.bonfire.com/store/talbot250/
 Caroline Benson displays a silk scarf designed to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary in the gardens of the Talbot Historical Society. The design features the Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage motif and patriotic elements tied to the nation’s Semiquincentennial. The annual pilgrimage runs from April 25 through June 13. The $130 silk scarf is available for purchase at mhgp.org.
If you’re looking for something a little more elevated, there’s also a beautiful option with local roots. A Maryland gardener recently designed a silk scarf to mark America’s 250th, inspired by the landscapes and natural beauty of the region. The piece is part of the Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage and supports preservation efforts across the state.
👉 Learn more: https://talbotworks.org/maryland-gardener-creates-silk-scarf-to-mark-americas-250th/
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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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