Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience

06/11/2026

Come celebrate Juneteenth with the Chesapeake Heartland team at the St. Michaels Community Center this Sunday, June 14. All welcome!

06/10/2026

The continued excavation of sites around the Custom House has unearthed some interesting finds like a massive...wait for it..cow's tooth! Remains, including fish scales and pottery shards, can help date the layers of kitchen rubble back to the mid 1700's, extending about 3 feet down to the water table. Thanks to the Archaeological Field School students for weeks of digging, documenting, and sifting through mountains of dirt!

06/09/2026

Washington College students in this summer's Archaeological Field School have carefully uncovered layers of history in the land surrounding the Custom House. That dirt has to be sifted bucket by bucket and inspected for fragments of pottery, bone, and other material clues that can help date and classify each layer. Turns out, Archaeology is a team sport! Thank you to the team for all your hard work!

# archeology

06/08/2026

students are uncovering history at the Custom House as they dig around the brick patio to uncover the layers below. It takes a team of students and volunteers to excavate bucketloads of dirt and uncover artifacts that could provide evidence of the time period associated with each layer of soil. The Archaeological Field School has provided an amazing opportunity for experiential learning and discovery.

06/08/2026

Only 8 spots left for the one-day writers studio on July 17, 2026! Cost is $125 and includes 3 workshops, a literature seminar with a WC English Lit professor, an open mic, and lunch & snacks. Don’t miss out!

06/04/2026

Sometimes in archeological field work you have to make your own tools. Washington College student Derek Sarler explains how he made a sifting bucket to help separate the dirt from the artifacts. We have a great team here at the Custom House!

06/03/2026

Congratulations to Airlee Ringgold Johnson on receiving the Fannie Lou Hamer Award from the Caucus of African American Leaders Eastern Shore, presented by Caucus Convener Carl Snowden. Fannie Lou Hamer was one of the most powerful and courageous voices of the Civil Rights Movement, whose life reflected sacrifice, resilience, faith, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Hamer was an American voting and women’s rights activist and vice-chair of the Freedom Democratic Party. She was known for her use of spiritual hymns and biblical quotes and for her resilience in leading the civil rights movement for Blacks in Mississippi.

"I have always admired Fannie Lou Hamer for her courage, strength, and determination. She spoke truth to power without fear, and her example inspired generations of activists, including me. Her actions of seeking equality for ALL shaped the path that I continue to walk today. I sincerely thank the CAALES for this incredible honor." -Airlee Ringgold Johnson

06/02/2026

Conducting an archaeological dig is meticulous work!

Dr. Julie Markin from Archaeology Department and her summer Archaeology Field School students are hard at work...digging and documenting! Each layer must be photographed and tagged as it is uncovered before the elements alter the soil's color and texture. Students are learning about and participating in every aspect of the archaeological dig process.

06/02/2026

The Eastern Shore chapters of the League of Women Voters are encouraging voters to use online election resources ahead of Maryland's June 23 primary election.

06/01/2026