Lectures: The Chesapeake—Past, Present, and Future

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s Winter Speaker Series continues in February with lectures on Feb. 13th, 20th, and 25th. This year’s Winter Speaker Series explores the Chesapeake Bay’s past, present, and future. For the generations of people who have lived, worked, and played on the land adjacent to the Bay’s waters, one of the greatest constants has been change. This Speaker Series will explore different facets of life on the Chesapeake, from industrialization to traditional waterways, and the challenges those cultures and industries face as they plan for the future.

At 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13th, “Preserving the Heritage of the Nanticoke People.”

The Nanticoke, or tidewater people, have a historic connection to the Chesapeake Bay region. Today, as one of two indigenous tribes recognized by the state of Delaware, the Nanticoke Indian Association is led by Chief Natosha Carmine, who will speak about her vision for honoring and preserving the tribe’s heritage for the generations that follow.

At 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20th, “Cultural Narratives of Sea Level Rise on the Chesapeake.”

How do social institutions and narratives of place, heritage, and identity connect with current discussions of climate change and sea-level rise? Over two years, Washington College Associate Professor of Anthropology Aaron Lampman and his students conducted and analyzed interviews to explore the social, cultural, and economic barriers to climate-induced relocation, despite scientific predictions of relative sea-level rise on the Eastern Shore of Maryland that indicate catastrophic land loss over the next 50 years. Lampman will share their results in this presentation.

At 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 25th, “Oysters in Maryland: A Glass Half Empty or Half Full?”

Oysters have long been integral to Maryland’s cultural landscape and the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Though wild populations have diminished over the years, collaboration among stakeholders gives hope for the future of this beloved bivalve. In this lecture, Shannon Hood, University of Maryland Extension associate agent, will explore cutting-edge research and community engagement strategies that aim to keep the oyster as a part of our ecological systems and cultural heritage.

All sessions take place in CBMM’s Van Lennep Auditorium, and advance registration is encouraged. The cost per session is $7.50 per person, with a 20% discount for CBMM members. To sign up, or for more information, visit cbmm.org/learn/speaker-series/.