A few decades ago I migrated to Maryland from the west coast, armed with a fresh bachelor’s degree in History. Although California has a rich background—Spanish missions and the Gold Rush—it doesn’t compare to the extraordinary depth of history that transpired in Maryland.

Maryland—the seventh of the original 13 colonies–became a state on April 28th, 1788. The Colonial Era, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, and more recent events have all left their mark on the politics and property of this state. Even now, artifacts appear in unlikely places: arrowheads and minie balls crop up in backyards, and a couple of years ago I found an 1893 penny while digging a hole for a tree.

For me, history is best learned through stories and lectures about the people. Facts are helpful, but I’d much rather hear what life was really like in those days. When I start to complain about how slow a website loads or about the cost of a gallon of gas, I try to remember that a couple of hundred years ago most people couldn’t read, and walking was usually how a person got from one place to another, no matter how far.

With that in mind, I’m very excited about several library programs coming up in April. On Saturday, April 14th, the grounds of the Perryville Branch Library will be transformed into a Civil War camp! Please stop by between the hours of 10 and 5 to experience a Civil War training camp, including company drills, demonstrations and firing of musket rifles (which I need to warn the police about in case they get calls…). The reenactors will represent actual Confederate and Union Civil War companies from Cecil County and Maryland. It will be fun for the whole family–no registration required.

Then, on Monday, April 23rd at 6:30, our Chesapeake City branch will also be hosting a Civil War program. Fort Delaware, located on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River, wasn’t completed until 1859, but it soon became home to several thousand prisoners of war. Author Bruce Mowday will provide details of the role that Fort Delaware played in the Civil War, including the story of Southern prisoners trying to survive and Northern guards trying to endure the desolate outpost. Register via our website, or call the Chesapeake City branch at 410-996-1134.

I still pull out my 1893 penny every now and then, but some of you may have stronger ties to history. What connects you to the past?

We live in a wonderful area of the country where so much of our nation’s history occurred.  This fall you have a great opportunity to hear about a variety of historical events—all for free at your Cecil County Public Library!  Here’s a brief rundown of what’s in store for the next two months:

The War of 1812 was fought in our own backyards. In fact, some Cecil County residents are still finding musket balls on their property! Come to the Elkton Central Library on September 15th at 7 pm, when author David Healey will describe The War of 1812 on the Upper Chesapeake.

There aren’t too many boundaries that have more history, geography and human impacts than the Mason-Dixon Line.  On September 20th at 6:30 pm at the Chesapeake City Branch, author Bill Ecenbarger will regale us with some of the many stories he gathered while researching his book, Walkin’ the Line.

Made up of Delaware and portions of Virginia and Maryland (including part of Cecil County), the cleverly-named Delmarva Peninsula is a unique region with a quirky history. David Healey, author of Delmarva Legends and Lore, will be on hand at three branches to introduce us to some interesting historical characters. (North East Branch September 21st, Cecilton Branch October 12th, and Chesapeake City Branch October 25th)

It’s hard to believe, but in the mid-1800s the Octoraro Branch Railroad was a major influence in the “village” of Rising Sun. On September 29th at the Rising Sun Branch, historian Mike Dixon will share photos and tell us what the town was like during the lifespan of the Octoraro Branch.

Did you ever get the feeling that your furniture has a mind of its own?  Maybe you have a ghost…! On October 19th at the Perryville Branch, local rare books and antiques dealer, John Klisavage, will share historical stories of ghosts, Haunted Objects and local hauntings.

If you’re mainly interested in your own family history there are a couple of programs you won’t want to miss: On September 18th at the North East Branch, Mike Dixon will present information on how to preserve old family photos and relics in Saving Family Treasures.  Also at the North East Branch on October 23rd, become one of the Genealogy Detectives and exchange ideas on how to research family history with others who are interested in genealogy.

Whatever your background, you’re sure to find an historical program to interest you this fall at the library. What local history interests you?