Heritage Society of Essex & Middle River 2023 Year in Review

2023 Newsletter


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2023 Museum Events

February

Speaker Series: “Streetcars in Baltimore and Beyond”
Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Father Kevin Mueller, a longtime member of the Baltimore Streetcar Museum and streetcar enthusiast talked about the streetcar system that we had and what made it go away. He discussed cities that still have streetcars to this day. Visitors toured the museum after the talk.


Museum Tours and Open House

Saturday, February 18, 2023
This will be our first opening since the December Holiday Open House. Stop by for a tour or to browse our gift shop.

March

Monthly Membership Meeting
Thursday, March 2, 2023


Speaker Series: “Rosie the Riveter”

Thursday, March 9, 2023
Debi Wynn from the Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum discussed the important role of Rosie the Riveter in manufacturing during World War II. Visitors toured the Museum after the talk.

Open House
Saturday, March 11, 2023
Visitors toured the Museum and browsed our gift shop.

Haunted History Night
Sat, March 18, 2023 
We joined The Baltimore Paranormal Society for a night of haunted tales as we explored our historic building and exhibits while learning about the haunted happenings experienced by our guests and local paranormal teams. The night began with a brief overview of ghost hunting equipment before being led on a candlelight tour of the museum where museum staff and BPS members regaled visitors with tales of the supernatural that have been reported within our 103-year-old building.

April

Monthly Membership Meeting
Thursday, April 6, 2023

Earth Day Open House
Saturday, April 22, 2023
Visitors joined us for Museum tours and special activities geared towards celebrating our earth, planting sunflower seeds to take home to watch them grow and participating in a scavenger hunt along with other fun activities.

May

Monthly Membership Meeting
Thursday, May 4, 2023

First Responders’ Appreciation Day
Saturday, May 6, 2023
Local police and fire stations along with MDTA police had their emergency vehicles set up out front for all to explore.  Purkey’s Party Pumper fire-throwing, bubble blowing fire engine also set up outside the museum.  First Responders were treated to lunch.


Speaker Series: “Todd’s Inheritance”

Monday, May 15, 2023

We joined the volunteers from Todd’s Inheritance Historic Site to learn about this exciting new museum and interpretive property located at 9000 North Point Rd. Edgemere, Maryland 21219. Visitors enjoyed an introduction to the history of the North Point Peninsula from early Native American presence, Todd family settlement in 1664, the War of 1812-Battle of North Point and more. Information about upcoming events, lectures and openings was shared. Visitors toured the Museum after the event.

June

Monthly Membership Meeting
Thursday, June 1, 2023


Open House
Saturday, June 10, 2023
Visitors toured the Museum and browsed our gift shop.

Speaker Series: “Flag History”
Thursday, June 15, 2023
Local flag collector and historian Dale Grimes shared our history of flags and offered a peek at his collection.
Did you know? Someone who studies flags is a called a vexillologist.

July

Monthly Membership Meeting
Thursday, July 6, 2023


Christmas in July

Saturday, July 22, 2023
We had our special guest The Grinch ready for photo opps, along with craft vendors, special activities for the kids and Museum tours!

August

Monthly Membership Meeting
Thursday, August 3, 2023

Back to School Open House
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Visitors toured the Museum and browsed our gift shop.

September

Monthly Membership Meeting
Thursday, September 7, 2023

Speaker Series: “Up the Line” 
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Local Author Howard Smith discussed his book “Up the Line,” the history of the Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore Railroad which was the major transportation in the area in the 1840s.
Doors open at 6:30 pm. Visitors toured the Museum after the talk.

ESSEX DAY
Saturday, September 16, 2023
400 & 500 blocks Eastern Blvd.

Visit the Museum on Essex Day!
The Heritage Society Museum was one of the busiest locations on Essex Day as visitors toured the Museum and browsed our gift shop.

October

Monthly Membership Meeting
Thursday, October 5, 2023

Speaker Series: “Route 40 Then and Now”
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Rosedale historian Bob Dean will discussed Route 40 and the importance of this road with the advent of the automobile.
Visitors toured the Museum and browsed our gift shop after the talk.

A Night of Frights
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Visitors joined The Baltimore Paranormal Society for an unforgettable night of chills and thrills as they were led through the museum’s rooms, where the spirits of the past are dying to meet you! The night started off with a stroll through the haunted halls where visitors came face to face with the ghouls who still call the museum home. This haunted walking tours sent chills down your spine as you turned each corner wondering what may be waiting for you just ahead.

Ronnie Alder Memorial
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Members of the community joined in the courtyard for a Memorial celebrating the life of Ronnie “Daddy Kool” Alder, a Lifetime Member of the Heritage Society and a man who was loved by the community.

November

Monthly Membership Meeting
Thursday, November 2, 2023

December


2023 Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 2, 2023
The community joined us for the most wonderful night of the year as we hosted the Essex Community Tree Lighting. This fun-filled event included gifts for the kids, fire trucks, a DJ, and of course, photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus!

Monthly Membership Meeting
Thursday, December 7, 2023

Museum Historian Paul M. Blitz

Speaker Series: “Baltimore County’s Role in The Civil War”
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Heritage Society Historian Paul M. Blitz shared the little-known and the important facts about our area’s role in The Civil War.
Visitors toured the Museum after the talk.

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