2020 Heritage Society Annual Holiday Tree Lighting

We are holding our annual Essex Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 5th, 2020 from 5 to 7 pm.  Please join us for this fun family outdoor event. It’s a great way to kick off the holidays!

Special thanks to our premier “Santa” sponsors this year who have made our event possible:
CLIFF’S HI-TECH AUTO BODY SHOP INC.
County Councilman

Todd Crandell
Frostee Tree Farm
Sullivan’s Garage
Power Factor
Walmart Baltimore – Carroll Island Rd
Delegate Ric Metzgar
Thank you to all of our “Frosty” sponsors who have made our Tree Lighting possible!
Alice’s – a family restaurant
Connelly Funeral Home of Essex
East Coast Autos
Jeff’s Automotive
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
Tradepoint Atlantic
Here’s a list of our “Elf” sponsors who have made our Essex Community Tree Lighting possible:
BayVanguard Bank
Chick-fil-A Martin Plaza
Cogar Print & Graphics
Cox’s Properties
Denny’s
Dieck Law, the Law Office of Brett M. Dieck
Essex Day Festival
PatRick’s Sports Bar & Grill
Woody’s Pub Grub
ZIPS Dry Cleaners Essex
Senator Johnny Ray Salling
Delegate Robin Grammer
Delegate Bob Long

2018 Museum Christmas Tree Lighting


Dec. 8th, 2018: Holiday Tree Lighting and Museum Open House
For our 2019 Annual Open House and Tree Lighting we planned a fun family event with a visit from Santa courtesy of Essex Volunteer Fire Company, gifts for the kids, music by DJ Leon Moses and MC Karie May, snacks and more. Our tree has been generously donated by Paul Stiffler of Frostee Tree Farm in memory of its founders, George and Helen Winter who ran the business for more than 30 years. Special thanks to our tree lighting committee members from The CORE Group, CLIFF’S HI-TECH AUTO BODY SHOP INC., Weavers Marine Service Inc, Back River Restoration Committee, and Stiffler’s Service Center.

Dec. 13th and Dec. 20th, 2019: Holiday Open House

Dosch Family exhibit

We are proud to host the Dosch Family exhibit as a new donation from our Essex community member, Mrs. Susan Carter. The Dosch Family lived in Essex since 1921 as part of the original Essex suburb. Mrs. Lottie Dosch lived on Taylor Ave. until her passing at age 96! These are the original wedding dresses of Lottie Dosch and her daughter-in-law Lillian that married her son.

Lottie Dosch’s son Bill Dosch served in the Navy during WWII. His Naval uniform is now on exhibit in our veterans room upstairs. Please stop by to see our beautiful new exhibit and read about their lifetime in Essex!

(left to right): Alice Hawkins (maid-of-honor), Charles F. Dosch (groom), Lottie Jenkins Dosch (bride), Thomas Carter (best man).
(left to right): Sophie Thomas Brosius (Lillian’s sister), Catherine Thomas Seay (Lillian’s sister) Frieda Brawner (maid-of-honor and Lillian’s friend), Samuel Thomas (Lillian’s brother, who “gave her away”), Lillian Thomas Dosch (bride), John William Dosch (groom), Stephen Thomas (best man and Lillian’s brother), Walter Seay (Catherine’s husband), George Brosius (Sophie’s husband); Flower Girl – Charlotte Meyers (John’s cousin), Walter Meyers (John’s cousin).

Susan Dosch’s donation letter to the Heritage Museum:

My name is Susan (Dosch) Carter, and I have been an Essex resident for 65 years. My grandparents (Charles and Lottie Dosch) arrived in Essex in 1921 and lived at 307 S. Taylor Avenue. They remained in Essex until they both passed away (my grandfather at age 62, and my grandmother at age 96). Their house remained in our family for 95 years. My parents (John and Lillian Dosch) were also born and raised in Essex, and settled at 323 S. Woodward Drive.

My grandmother (Lottie Dosch) was the cashier at the Essex Theatre for many, many years until it burned down in 1968, and then went to work as the cashier at the Hiway Movies. I have my grandmother’s wedding dress (and button-up, high top shoes) and a large picture of my grandparents on their wedding day on September 26, 1917 (so her dress is almost 100 years old).

I also have my mother’s wedding gown, veil, ring-bearer’s pillow, the Bible she carried and a picture of my parents on their wedding day on October 21, 1945. My parents were both confirmed and married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Essex, and my sister, brother and I were baptized, confirmed and married there as well. I also have my mother’s fur coat (and chinchilla wrap) from the 1940’s, and pictures of her in it. I have photos of the coat as well that I can send if you like. My mother graduated from Kenwood High School in the class of 1940, and I have her class picture and the graduation program with all the names of those in the class. I also have my mom’s Kenwood high school prom gown and a picture of her in it. Both my parents worked at Martins for a while, and I have a couple of pamphlets from Martins describing their pension plan and benefits. My dad enjoyed photography, and I have his “Brownie Hawkeye” camera and another camera that belonged to him.

2014 Christmas Lighting and Open House

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Remember when Essex had a large crowd for the Christmas Tree Lighting?

We are going to revive that tradition and we would like to include you in that group this year. You will be sure to enjoy the Orems United Methodist Choir, refreshment and décor. The Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River membership invites you to share the evening with us.

Santa will give each child a handmade tree ornament, and can have their picture taken outside in the sled with Santa Claus.

Join us on Saturday, December 6th beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Long time holiday tradition returns to Essex

2014Tree

By Dan Baldwin (Avenue News, 11/23/2014)

A long time holiday tradition is returning to Essex Saturday, Dec. 6, as the Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River look to revitalize the area’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration.

For the first time in years, a Christmas tree will be placed in front of the museum’s fire doors and the community is invited to see the lights go on at 6 p.m.

“Honest to goodness, it’s been awhile,” said Heritage Society President June Donovan.

Continue reading at Avenue News.