Talbot County, Maryland

A Brief History of the Mill A Champion for Equality A Glimpse Inside a Giant A Mighty Pull Archaeology at the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Betty’s Cove Meetinghouse Birthplace of Tench Francis, Jr. Bracing for an Attack British Occupation Bugeye Design Bugeyes and Oystering Bushwack Boat Chesapeake Bay Skipjack Fleet Chesapeake Bay Small Craft Deflecting the Enemy Delaware Easton's Fire Bell Edna E. Lockwood Fausley Fishing Shanty / Ark For Whom the Bell Tolls Forging Freedom from Places of Bondage Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass Freedom's Figurehead From Shipwrecked Puppies to Iron Dogs Grave of General Perry Benson (1757-1827) Heard Through the Fog Home Run Baker Park Honoring an American Hero Hooper Straight Light's Twin Hooper Strait Lighthouse How the Screwpile Lighthouse Got Its Name Iconic Chesapeake Light In Memory of Col. Tench Tilghman Katie G., Deadrise Workboat Kennedy M. Fitzgerald Last Bell Foundry Lewis Tarr House Little Red Schoolhouse Lost Overboard Maritime Legend #21663 Martha Maryland National Bank Building Matthew Tilghman Merry Widow Nathaniel (Nace) Hopkins Nathaniel Hopkins Navy Point Historic Houses Old Point Old White Marsh Episcopal Church Old Wye Episcopal Church Oxford Oxford - Bellevue Ferry Oxford Wharf Oystering on the Chesapeake Peachblossom Meetinghouse Point Lookout Fog Bell Tower Pot Pie Skiff Preserving a Legacy Rebuilding Rosie Parks Restoration Robert Morris, Sr. Second Defense of St. Michaels Shallop Sharptown Barge Site of Trappe High School Site of “The Rest” Skipjack Centerboard Smith Island Crabbing Skiff So, How Does a Mill Work? Spat, Miniature Skipjack St. Joseph’s Church St. Michaels St. Michaels Packing Company Warehouse Talbot County Courthouse The Beloved Tuckahoe Home of Frederick Douglass The Bullitt House The Miles River The Robert Morris Inn The Talbot Resolves The Wye Grist Mill The Wye Oak The “Little House” in the Shade The “Mannour of Ratcliffe” Third Haven This Cannon Thor, Pilothouse Tolchester Beach Bandstand Too Much of a Good Thing Tools of the Oystermen Under Fire Union Soldiers Unionville Unionville Veterans Memorial Vietnam War War in the Chesapeake What is a waterman? What's under your feet? William Penn Winnie Estelle Wye Grist Mill Wye Grist Mill and Museum Wye Oak Wye Oak House “Canterbury Mannor” “Compton” “Hole-in-the-Wall” “The Wilderness”
Talbot County, located on the eastern shore of Maryland, has a rich and storied history dating back to the early 17th century. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Nanticokes and the Choptanks, who lived off the land and thrived on fishing and agriculture.

In 1661, Talbot County was officially established by an Act of the Maryland General Assembly, named after the state's first provincial governor, Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, also known as Lord Baltimore. The county quickly became an important center for trade and commerce, with thriving industries such as shipbuilding, tobacco farming, and oyster harvesting.

During the Revolutionary War, Talbot County played a significant role in the fight for independence. The county saw both loyalist and patriot sentiment, with many residents actively joining the armed forces to fight against British rule. Talbottonians also played a crucial role in the struggle for civil rights, with prominent African American leaders such as Frederick Douglass inspiring local communities to advocate for equality and justice.

Today, Talbot County stands as a place that seamlessly blends its rich history with its natural beauty. Visitors can explore its many historical landmarks, including charming colonial towns, stately mansions, and museums that showcase the area's vibrant past. The county continues to be a hub for agriculture, aquaculture, and tourism, attracting visitors who appreciate its wonderful blend of tradition and modernity.
Brief timeline of the history of Talbot County, Maryland:

  • 1661 - Talbot County is established as part of Province of Maryland
  • 1677 - First courthouse is built in the town now known as Easton
  • 1706 - Oxford becomes the first town incorporated in Talbot County
  • 1711 - Trappe becomes the second town incorporated in Talbot County
  • 1731 - St. Michaels becomes the third town incorporated in Talbot County
  • 1783 - Frederick Douglass is born in Talbot County
  • 1810 - Easton becomes the fourth town incorporated in Talbot County
  • 1822 - Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is founded in St. Michaels
  • 1864 - Harriet Tubman leads the Combahee River Raid during the Civil War
  • 1963 - Freedom Riders are arrested and jailed in Easton during the Civil Rights Movement

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Talbot County, Maryland.