Click photos to enlarge. These photos and clippings come from the Heritage Society Baumgartner Archives Book #25 “Eastern Avenue”, scanned by member Rita Gaunt with additional research and photos by archivist Scott Huffines.
Category: Uncategorized
2025 Holiday Gift Shop
Still Available! Order before they’re gone!
STOCKING STUFFERS $5! Heritage Society ornaments and mini flags are just $5!
Check our Facebook page for upcoming Saturday gift shop hours.
Our two-sided 2025 Essex Christmas ornament features a historical sketch of the Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River on one side and a whimsical portrait of Essex’s favorite mascot “Cubey” on the other side! Ornaments are available in the museum gift shop or buy online:
2025 Essex Christmas ornament: $7 ($5 + $2 shipping)
Essex-Middle River Flags now available!
Our community flag’s compass motif represents the nautical and aeronautical community aspects of Essex and Middle River. Full-sized 3’x5′ flags ($50) and mini flags ($5) are now available in the gift shop or buy online:
Large Essex Flag: $55 ($50 + $5 shipping)
Mini Essex Flag: $7 ($5 + $2 shipping)
Heritage Society of Essex & Middle River 2025 Year in Review
FEBRUARY
February Membership Meeting
Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 7 PM
Museum Speaker Series: History of Turner Station and Henrietta Lacks
Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 1 PM
Servant Courtney Speed, founder of the Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group, and community leader Sister Muriel Gray, will discuss the history of Turner Station and the impact of the life of Turner Station resident Henrietta Lacks, who died of cervical cancer in 1951. Cells taken from her body without her knowledge were used to form the HeLa cell line, which has been used extensively in medical research and has played a role in the development of the polio vaccine, in vitro fertilization, cancer treatments and more. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Visitors may tour the Museum after the talk. Free and open to the public.
MARCH
March Membership Meeting
Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 7 PM
Museum Speaker Series: Mysterious Middle River Live
Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 1 PM
Spend an hour with amateur researcher Joshua S. Bell as he explores local mysteries, supernatural phenomena, and forgotten history in Essex, Middle River, and other local paranormal hotspots. Topics include hauntings, documented UFO landings, strange creatures, and unexplained coincidences. Doors open at 12:30. Visitors may tour the Museum after the presentation. Light refreshments will be served.
Visit Mysterious Middle River MD
APRIL
April Membership Meeting
Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 7 PM
Essex Museum Speaker Series: Curator Ernie Dimler of The Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower
Saturday, April 5 at 1 PM
The Bromo Seltzer Tower has been a part of Baltimore’s skyline since 1911 and a beacon for innovation and the arts since 2007. The Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower Collections include everything from the controversial Green Bromo Seltzer Bottles to a book from Woodrow Wilson for use of the Emerson Hotel in 1912 as headquarters for his election. Learn more about these fascinating pieces from Curator Ernie Dimler. Doors open at 12:30 PM. Light refreshments will be served. Visitors may tour the museum after the presentation. Free for all.
MAY
May Membership Meeting
Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 7 PM
First Responders Day
Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 12 PM. to 2 PM
Join us for a special First Responders’ Appreciation Day! Meet our local First Responders! We’ll have emergency vehicles out front to check out and guests can tour the renovated Museum! First Responders will be treated to lunch. FREE!
Public Paranormal Investigation (Ticketed Event)
Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 7 PM to 11 PM
This public paranormal investigation is presented by The Baltimore Paranormal Society and The Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River on May 10, 2025, 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm. All proceeds will benefit Heritage Society museum exhibits, public events, and operating expenses.
Please join us to explore our historic building and exhibits while learning about the haunted happenings experienced by our guests and local paranormal teams. Your night will begin with a brief overview of ghost hunting equipment before being led on an investigation of the museum where BPS members will attempt to make contact with the spirits that have been reported within our 101-year-old building.
Our building dates back to the early 1920’s where it once served as the town police station, fire station, and courthouse. In the 1970’s, the services relocated to a new station, and this building became a historical museum, which remains today. Many people have experienced unexplainable occurrences within our walls and some even refuse to return due to the spirits who are known to haunt our museum.
Admission is only $45 per person. Space is limited so reserve your tickets today!
Don’t be left out in the dark! Our spirits are eager to meet you!
JUNE
June Membership Meeting
Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 7 PM
Museum Speaker Series: Flag Day with Dale Grimes
Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 1 PM
Local historian and flag enthusiast Dale Grimes will focus on the 80th Anniversary of the end of WWII with Baltimore Newspapers and U.S. Navy flags. Guests may tour the museum after the presentation. Light refreshments will be served. Doors open at 12:30 pm. FREE
Museum 50th Anniversary Celebration at Buon Appetito (Ticketed Event)
Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 6 PM
This year the Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River is celebrating a huge milestone — the 50th anniversary of the Museum! While the Heritage Society was founded in 1968, the organization didn’t move into our building until 1975. To commemorate our golden anniversary, we invite you to join us for a celebration at Buon Appetito in Essex on Saturday, June 14 at 6 p.m. In addition to celebrating 50 years, we will also unveil the brand new Essex-Middle River flag and have a display of the items that will be going into the Essex Cube time capsule. Tickets for this dinner event are only a $50 donation per person or $400 donation for a table of 8. Details on the accompanying flyer. Please reply to this email or contact essexmuseum@gmail.com for tickets.
JULY
July Membership Meeting
Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 7 PM
Grinchmas in July
Saturday, July 19 from 11 PM to 1 PM
Join us at the Essex Museum for a visit from our very special guest, THE GRINCH!!! The Grinch will be ready for photo opps, and we will have a special Grinch craft for the kids. Also – Receive a FREE 2024 Cubey ornament! One per family, while supplies last. Stop by and take a tour of our new exhibits! FREE for all!
AUGUST
August Membership Meeting
Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 7 PM
Speaker Series: Baltimore Paranormal Society and NEW Paranormal Room unveiling
Saturday, August 23 at 1PM
Doors open at 12:30 PM. Light refreshments will be served. Visitors may tour the museum after the presentation. Free for all.
SEPTEMBER
September Membership Meeting
Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 7 PM
ESSEX DAY FESTIVAL #50
Saturday, September 13, 10 AM – 6 PM
OCTOBER
October Membership Meeting
Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 6 PM
Grave Robbing in Baltimore in the 1800s by Olafur Nelson
Thursday, October 9 at 7 PM
Our October Speaker Series presenter will be Olafur Nelson, the local authority on 1800s medicine and medical procedures. Learn how “Body Snatchers” dug up graves for medical purposes for University of Maryland Hospital and Johns Hopkins Hospital in the 1800s. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. light refreshments will be served. Visitors may tour the Museum after the presentation. FREE.
NOVEMBER
November Membership Meeting
Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 7 PM
DECEMBER
December Membership Meeting
Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 7 PM
Essex Community Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 6 at 5 PM
Join us for the most wonderful night of the year in Essex! It’s our 50th Annual Essex Community Tree Lighting!
Thank you to our 2025 Tree Lighting Sponsors!
North Pole Sponsors:
Albright’s Mechanical Services https://www.albrightsmechanical.com/
Cliff’s Direct Effect https://www.cliffsdirect.com
Walmart https://www.walmart.com/store/3481-baltimore-md
Essex Day Festival https://essexdayfestival.com
Power Factor https://powerfactorco.com
Frostee Tree Farm https://frosteetreefarm.com
Smith’s Lawncare and Landscaping https://www.facebook.com/smithlawncare08/photos/
Santa Sponsors:
Medstar Health https://www.medstarhealth.org
Sullivan’s Garage https://www.facebook.com/SullivansinBaltimore
Essex Community Development Corporation https://essexcdc.org
Romadka Family Ltd. Partnership https://www.ccbcmd.edu/Why-CCBC/Success-Stories/Donors/Romadka-Family.html
Senator Johnny Ray Salling https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/msa17039.html
Delegate Ric Metzgar https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa17050.html
Harlow-Slocum Family
Frosty Sponsors:
Tradepoint Atlantic https://www.tradepointatlantic.com
Buon Appetito http://buonappetitoessex.com
Alice’s Restaurant https://alicesfamilyrestaurant.com
Two Guys Grill https://www.twoguysgrillandpub.com
Loon A Sea https://www.loonaseamd.com/
Jeff’s Automotive https://www.facebook.com/jeffsautomotiveinc/
Connelly Funeral Home of Essex https://www.connellyfuneralhome.com/
Zips Cleaners https://321zips.com/locations/maryland/essex/
Melanie Cook, State Farm Agent https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/md/essex/melanie-cook-dxthd1ys000
Chick-fil-a Martin Plaza https://www.chick-fil-a.com/locations/md/martin-plaza
Councilman Todd Crandell https://countycouncil.baltimorecountymd.gov/district-7/
Kelly Coleman-Slocum Remax/Advantage https://kelly-colemanslocum.remax-firstchoice-balto-md.com
Elf Sponsors:
Cogar Printing https://cogarprinting.com
Tony Pearce – State Farm https://tonypearce.net
Julian Jones for Baltimore County https://www.julianejones.com
Delegate Robin Grammer https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/members/details/grammer01
Will Feuer & Dawn Dishon-Feuer
Media Sponsors:
The Avenue News https://www.avenuenews.com/
Dundalk Eagle https://www.dundalkeagle.com/
Upper Bay Boating https://upperbayboating.com/
Special thanks to Essex VFC for transporting Santa! https://essexvfc.org/
Heritage Society of Essex & Middle River 2024 Year in Review
Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River
2024 Calendar of Events
JANUARY
January 15 – Annual Board Meeting.
FEBRUARY
February Membership Meeting
Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Speaker Series: “Henrietta Lacks”
Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Servant Courtney Speed, founder of the Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group, will discuss the impact of the life of Turner Station resident Henrietta Lacks, who died of cervical cancer in 1951. Cells taken from her body without her knowledge were used to form the HeLa cell line, which has been used extensively in medical research and has played a role in the development of the polio vaccine, in vitro fertilization, cancer treatments and more. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Visitors may tour the Museum after the talk. Free and open to the public.
MARCH
March Membership Meeting
Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Speaker Series: “History and Hauntings: In Conversation with The Baltimore Paranormal Society”
Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Members of the Baltimore Paranormal Society will discuss some of their most active investigations, including their experiences at the Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River. Guests will have the opportunity to learn about the tools/equipment used during their investigations and hear about the team’s methodology when approaching haunted locations. A Q&A session will follow the talk. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Visitors may tour the Museum after the talk. Free and open to the public.
APRIL
April Membership Meeting
Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 7 p.m.
First Responders’ Appreciation Day
Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 12 to 2 p.m.
Join us for a special First Responders’ Appreciation Day! We’ll have emergency vehicles out front for visitors to check out. (List of agencies and vehicles will be announced closer to the event.) Visitors can also tour the Museum. First Responders will be treated to lunch. Free.
MAY
May Membership Meeting
Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Speaker Series: “Friends I Never Met: A History of Oaklawn Cemetery”
Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Kevin Garrity, Vice President of the Dundalk-Patapsco Neck Historical Society, will discuss the history of Oaklawn Cemetery and its famous residents. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Visitors may tour the Museum after the talk. Free and open to the public.
Essex Cube Celebration
Date to be determined
Join us as we celebrate the relocation of the Essex Cube to its permanent home in the Heritage Society Courtyard.
JUNE
June Membership Meeting
Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Speaker Series: “Three Turning Points of WWII” with Dale Grimes
Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 7 p.m. (Date Subject to Change)
Dale Grimes will present a PowerPoint on the three turning points of WWII leading up to D-Day. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Visitors may tour the Museum after the talk. Free and open to the public.
JULY
Dundalk Independence Day Parade
July 4, 2024, beginning at 8 a.m.
Join our friends in Dundalk for the Dundalk Independence Day Parade!
July Membership Meeting
Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Grinch-mas in July!
Saturday, July 20, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join us for a visit from our very special guest, THE GRINCH! The Grinch will be ready for photo opps, and we will have a special Grinch craft for the kids. Stop by and take a tour. FREE for all!
AUGUST
August Membership Meeting
Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Closed except for Paranormal Investigations.
SEPTEMBER
September Membership Meeting
Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 7 p.m.
ESSEX DAY FESTIVAL
essexdayfestival.com
Saturday, September 14, 2024, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The biggest one-day outdoor festival in Eastern Baltimore County! Live music, food trucks, kids’ zone, vendors, beer garden and more. Museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free for all.
OCTOBER
October Membership Meeting
Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Speaker Series: “Rosedale History with Bob Dean”
Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 7 p.m. (Schedule Subject to Change)
Rosedale Historian Bob Dean will take us through the history of the nearby community of Rosedale. Free. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Visitors may tour the Museum after the talk.
Members-Only Paranormal Investigation
Date TBD
Members of the Baltimore Paranormal Society will lead us on an investigation of our 104-year-old building. Open to the first 15 Heritage Society members who RSVP. Free.
Become a member!
NOVEMBER
November Membership Meeting
Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Veterans Day Event
Saturday, November 9, 2024, TBD
DECEMBER
December Membership Meeting
Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Essex Community Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 7, 2024 5-7 PM
Join us for the most wonderful night of the year in Essex! Tree lighting, gifts for the kids, DJ, fire trucks and a visit with Santa. FREE for all.
Speaker Series: “An Evening with Historian Paul M. Blitz”
Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Join us for the last Speaker Series of the year with Heritage Society Historian of more than three decades, Paul M. Blitz. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Visitors may tour the Museum after the talk.
2024 Essex Community Tree & Cube Lighting
Saturday, December 7, 2024
5-7 PM
Join us for the most wonderful night of the year in Essex! Tree lighting, gifts for the kids, DJ, fire trucks and a visit with Santa and Cubey the museum mascot!
This special night will also feature the lighting of the original Essex Cube, now located in our courtyard.
FREE for all.
2024 Essex Community Tree Lighting Sponsors
Baltimore Community Foundation https://bcf.org
Cliff’s Direct Effect https://www.cliffsdirect.com
Walmart https://www.walmart.com/store/3481-baltimore-md
Sullivan’s Garage https://www.facebook.com/SullivansinBaltimore
Essex Day Festival https://essexdayfestival.com
Power Factor https://powerfactorco.com
Frostee Tree Farm https://frosteetreefarm.com
Tony Pearce – State Farm https://tonypearce.net
Santa Sponsors:
Medstar Health https://www.medstarhealth.org
Essex Community Development Corporation https://essexcdc.org
Romadka Family/Mr. Bob Romadka https://www.ccbcmd.edu/Why-CCBC/Success-Stories/Donors/Romadka-Family.html
Senator Johnny Ray Salling https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/msa17039.html
Delegate Ric Metzgar https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa17050.html
Harlow-Slocum Family
Frosty Sponsors:
Tradepoint Atlantic https://www.tradepointatlantic.com
Buon Appetito http://buonappetitoessex.com
Alice’s Restaurant https://alicesfamilyrestaurant.com
Two Guys Grill https://www.twoguysgrillandpub.com
Jeff’s Automotive https://www.facebook.com/jeffsautomotiveinc/
Zips Cleaners https://321zips.com/locations/maryland/essex/
Melanie Cook, State Farm Agent https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/md/essex/melanie-cook-dxthd1ys000
Doug Kottraba, State Farm https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/md/middle-river/doug-kottraba-q11zn52prak
Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce https://www.chesapeakechamber.org
Elf Sponsors:
Cogar Printing https://cogarprinting.com
Councilman Todd Crandell https://countycouncil.baltimorecountymd.gov/district-7/
Bafitis and Associates
Chick-fil-a https://www.chick-fil-a.com/locations/md/martin-plaza
Republic Services https://www.republicservices.com
Kelly Coleman-Slocum Remax/Advantage https://kelly-colemanslocum.remax-firstchoice-balto-md.com
Middle River Parade of Lighted Boats https://www.facebook.com/mrboatparade/
Delegate Robin Grammer https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/members/details/grammer01
Click for a recap of what we accomplished in 2024.
Click for a recap of what we accomplished in 2023.
Christmas in July at the Essex Museum
Sunday, July 18 from 1 to 4 pm
The Museum will be hosting a free Christmas in July event! We’ll have our special guest Santa ready for photo opps, along with craft vendors, special activities for the kids and Museum tours! Interested vendors, please email us at essexmuseum@gmail.com. Vendor spots are $25 and you should bring your own table.
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
2017 Joe Schield Volunteer of the Year Awardee: Rita
Congratulations to Rita, our 2017 Joe Schield Volunteer of the Year Award winner! Thank you, Rita, for all of your service! We ❤️ you!
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!
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.
Essex Transfer and Storage Truck
