While the Smithsonian Institution museums are only about 1.5 hours from Chestertown, that’s not exactly right around the corner. A visit takes a bit of planning, and is usually an all day event. But what if you could visit a Smithsonian exhibit right in your own town? If that sounds good to you, then read on!
This spring, from March 31 through May 19, Chestertown is one of 5 small Maryland towns that will host the Smithsonian’s traveling exhibit, The Way We Worked, which examines the ways our working lives have become central to American culture over the past 150 years or so. Each of the host towns will also develop an exhibit showcasing the local histories of work life in each community.
Maryland Humanities, a state wide non-profit council, is dedicated to creating and supporting educational experiences in the humanities throughout Maryland. Together with Museums on Main Street, a part of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit Service, they bring world class exhibits to small communities.
Chestertown’s site is a museum in its own right, Sumner Hall. There are over 30 events planned including the exhibits of local work life, lectures, musical performances and dramatic presentations. They “expect to create a real celebration to honor all workers in our community while the exhibition is in Chestertown,” according to Nina Johnson, president of the Board of Directors of Sumner Hall. We are very excited to see the collaboration that takes place here.
So from March 31 to May 19, if you’re looking for something interesting and can’t make it all the way to DC, come on out to the Land of Pleasant Living and join us at our cozy Maryland bed and breakfast. We’ve got you covered.