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Newly Added:

NOTE: In the coming weeks this page will have a new address: Sharpsburghistory.org

Upcoming Events:

Thursday, September 28, 2023 - 6pm

The Sharpsburg Historical Society will host a program by Brianna Candelaria on September 28, 2023, at 6pm.  The program will be at McKinley Hall behind St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 209 West Main Street, Sharpsburg.  Brianna will speak about the Showman/Mills/Frye House on Mills Road.  She will explore the origins of the Showman Farm and its role in the history of Sharpsburg and Washington County.  The program will also detail the history of the Mills House and its time as the headquarters of General Ambrose Burnside and his 9th Corps following the Battle of Antietam.  "Antietam Farm's" moment of fame came when President Abraham Lincoln met with General Burnside there in October, 1862.  That visit and the restoration of the farmhouse are key stories in the history of this area.  The program is free and open to all.

Thursday, October 26, 2023 - 6pm

The Society will hold its first annual in-person annual meeting since 2019 on October 26. The meeting will feature a guest speaker, refreshments, and an election of officers. More details will be forthcoming soon.

Thursday, November 30, 2023 - 6pm

On November 30, current Society president Gary Candelaria will speak about collecting and evaluating Civil War books. Topics will include locating, organizing, cataloging, preserving, and evaluating personal library collections. Candelaria has been a book collector for 40 years and has a personal collection of over 5,000 titles. He also is a bookseller, with a booth in a local antique mall. (Location to be announced.)

TheSharpsburg Historical Society has received a $5,150 CARES Act Grant. 

With CARES Act funding, the Sharpsburg Historical Society, Inc. (SHS) will provide oversight to its projects, and produce informational presentations in order to advance our mission to recover, preserve, and promote the history of Sharpsburg, its people and the immediate area. Specifically, this grant will enable SHS to fund rent, pay for utilities, help enhance and improve our website and produce informational pamphlets which will promote the preservation of history and provide culturally significant information. This will enhance the local economy and promote an understanding of the cultural and human history of the Sharpsburg region and of Washington County.

SHS is extremely grateful to Maryland Humanities for this critical financial assistance.

Past events:

Sunday, November 13 at 2 pm

Scott Shipe spoke about the Hydrology of the C. and O. Canal.

Saturday, September 17 at 3 pm

Steve Cowie will speak about his new book, When Hell Came to Sharpsburg.

September’s program is a joint program with the Sharpsburgh Museum of History, to be held at Town Hall. The Towm hall is located upstairs from the library on the town square. Thursday, February 6 at 7PM

A Program about the libraries in Sharpsburg,
including the various locations of the town library, Sharpsburg Historical Society's library and the Antietam Battlefield Library
Location: Library building - upstairs Flier for the program is HERE.

Saturday, December 10

A program about the Jex paintings will be presented at the meeting room of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Sharpsburg.

Thursday, September 26 at 7:00pm

The Sharpsburg Historical Society and the Sharpsburg Library will present philosopher, teacher, poet and historian, John Philemon Smith who wrote Reminiscences of Sharpsburg in 1912.

Sunday, September 7 at 2pm
Topic: A study of the Dunker Church
Location: Dunker Church at the Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, MD

Alann Schmidt, co-author of September Mourn, will discuss his book at the Saturday, September 7, meeting of the Sharpsburg Historical Society.  The 2:00 pm meeting will be at the Dunker Church at the Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, MD.

September Mourn is the first book-length study of the Dunker Church, the well-known structure on the Civil War battlefield, The authors establish the importance of this small church built in 1853 through its connections to the area, to the Battle and its aftermath, to tourism, and to education for future generations.

Schmidt, former park ranger at Antietam National Battlefield, will look at the history of the Dunker Church and the roles is has played over the past 166 years.

The meeting is free and open to the public.  Information at 301.992.9767.

Monday, August 19 at 6pm
Topic:Fishing Techniques of Native Americans in the Potomac River
Location: 101 West Main Street (Victory Garden Ranch)

Don Peterson will present a power-point discussion at the Monday, August 19, meeting of the Sharpsburg Historical Society, The meeting at 6:00 is at 101 West Main Street (Victory Garden Ranch), Sharpsburg, MD. The program is free and open to visitors.

Thursday, June 13 at 7p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

Justin Martin will speak about his book A Fierce Glory. This program is being co-sponsored by the Sharpsburg Lions Club.

Monday, June 17 Potluck Spring Picnic. 

The Keedysville and Boonsboro Historical Societies will join us for a Potluck Spring Picnic at the pavilion   at the ballpark in Sharpsburg.  We ask that before June 10 you call 301 992 9767 to tell how many will attend.  The historical societies will provide the chicken.  Table ware/paper products are a contribution of a Keedysville member.  We ask you to bring a dish to share.  [Members Only]

Saturday, June 22 Preservation Workshop

Robert Moscow, our cemetery conservator, will hold a workshop for volunteers who would like to help with the project.  This event will be the official launch for the project.  We will begin at 9:30 and will continue through the day until 4:00.  Hope to see you and hope you will help with this effort to preserve the cemetery.  Happy to answer questions.  301 992 9767.
Saturday, May 25 10am to 1:30pm

SHS will set up an information table at the square on Saturday, May 25, for the Memorial Day event.  We would love to have you stop by to help staff the table or just to say hello.  We will be setting up at 10 and will stay until the parade starts about 1:30. 

Thursday, May 30, 7:00pm at Town Hall  -  Historian John Schildt will speak.

John Schildt, historian and author of more than 20 books, will discuss his research methods before the days of computers and the Internet. His first book was published in 1960. He will share details of his sources and discoveries through personal interviews, documents, and libraries. Schildt, a semi-retired minister, is a guide at Antietam National Battlefield.  He has spoken to many Civil War Round Tables and presented at Civil War seminars.

 The program on Thursday, May 30, begins at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 106 East Main Street, Sharpsburg.  It is free and open to the public.   Call 301 992 9767 for information. 

Wednesday, March 20 at 7 PM at the Sharpsburg Town Hall - Program on the Sharpsburg Rifles

The Sharpsburg Rifles, part of the Potomac Home Brigade, was a company from the Sharpsburg area that was formed in 1859. In 1959, 60 years ago,the reenactment Rifles organized to act as a living memorial to that group. The 61 members of the reenactment group played an active part in Civil War centennial commemorations and parades sponsored by county, state and national organizations. Its first appearance was in the Memorial Day parade in Sharpsburg in 1959. The last public appearance of members of the group was in the Memorial Day parade in 1994.

At its March 20 meeting, the Sharpsburg Historical Society will present the story of the reenactment Sharpsburg Rifles with uniforms, documents, programs, letters, photographs, and memories. The meeting starts at 7:00 in Town Hall, 106 East Main St., Sharpsburg. Anyone with information about the 1959 Rifles is especially invited to attend and share.

The meeting is free and open to the public. Information: 301 992 9767

Wednesday, October 10 Karen Gray will be speaking about the Secrets of the C and O Canal

The meeting is free and open to all. For more information please call (301) 992-9767

See this article Sharpsburg Historical Society to preserve centuries-old Methodist cemetery which appeared in the Morning Herald.

Saturday, August 25 - The August 25th meeting of the Sharpsburg Historical Society will take place in the Methodist Episcopal Cemetery at 106 North Hall Street, Sharpsburg.

The society, under the guidance of Glenn Wallace of the Coalition To Protect Maryland Burial Sites, will map the cemetery. The public is invited to help with the mapping or simply view and learn about the procedure and this historic cemetery.

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Wednesday, June 29 at 7 PM

"Sticks and Stones: Sharpsburg Structures."

Paula Reed will discuss building with native limestone.  Photos and floor plans of old log structure and 1934 work order for Big Spring Wall will be displayed.

Thursday, February 15 at 7PM

This meeting of the Sharpsburg Historical Society will feature 75 photographs/slides that were taken in Sharpsburg in 1975. The program will start at 7:00 in Town Hall, 106 East Main St., Sharpsburg. This program is made possible through the cooperation of the Washington County Free Library. Attendees are encouraged to bring other photographs from Sharpsburg's past to share. Refreshments will be served. The program is free and open to the public.

Cancellation notice because of weather will be posted at Sharpsburghistoricalsociety.org

Information: 301 992 9767 or VernellD@aol.com

Saturday, November 18, at 1:30 p.m., author Steve French will discuss Phantoms of the South Fork: Captain McNeill and His Rangers. His new book relates the daring exploits of a band of Confederate rangers as they “bedeviled” Union troops in the Potomac Highlands throughout the Civil War and executed what one general called “one of the most thrilling incidents of the war.” French will offer books for purchase from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Victory Garden Ranch (VGR), 101 West Main St., Sharpsburg, MD.

Garnet Jex ended his series of paintings of The Upper Potomac in the Civil War with four scenes depicting the work of Mc Neill’s Rangers. Two of these images appear in French’s book. The Sharpsburg Historical Society, which owns the Jex series, will display the four original paintings during the 2-hour program at the VGR.

The Sharpsburg Historical Society will provide refreshments. The program is free and open to all. Information: 301 799 1420.

Monday, December 18 - Holiday dinner meeting with the Keedysville Historicak Society and the Boonsboro Hostorical Society.

The cost of the dinner this year will be $14 for fried chicken, roast beef, potatoes, green beans, salad, dessert, and non-alcoholic drinks. Make a reservation by Ocotber 30 by calling 301.992.9767.

Past 2017 events::

Tuesday, June 13 at 7PM - "Saving and Restoring Old Photographs"

Hannelore Quigley, a 6th generation native of Rockville, MD, will illustrate a trip into turn-of-century life in Maryland featuring her family's photos and artifacts. Using her search for family history, she will share the digital wizardry that can help date photos and remove their imperfections caused by use and time.

Attendees are invited to bring laptops to this program that will introduce resources available to connect us to the past to preserve for the future.

Quigley volunteers with historical non-profits and works as Marketing Director for the Computer Intelligence Association of Potomac, MD. Monday, February 13 - Members' Social at the Victory Garden Ranch. R.S.V.P.

Monday, March 27 - The Register of Wills for Washington County, Jason A. Malott, will speak about what you can learn from the registry and how to access it from your computer.


2017 SHS Scholarship

The Sharpsburg Historical Society is pleased to announce it will offer the Sharpsburg Historical Society Scholarship of $1,000.00. Applications will be available to Boonsboro High School graduating seniors planning to pursue careers in history, historic preservation, museum studies, or natural resource studies. For further information, call 301-432- 8410.

Of interest to genealogists: Here is a list of names taken from the 1831–1943 death register of Sharpsburg. The numbers correspond to the page numbers of the register. (So far this list is complete through most of the letter “P.”) (Made available January 2017)


PAST EVENTS:

Thursday, September 8 Library, John Schildt presentation evening Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area grant workshop, Thurmont Library day

Thursday, September 22 General meeting, Washington County Rocks, Sandy Izer slide show

Monday, October 10 General meeting. Todd Stotler presents program about C&O Canal, introducing new items on loan from WCHS. Board election.

Thursday, October 20 at 7 PM. The Sharpsburg Library is presenting a program about Sharpsburg's most famous physician, Dr. A.A. Biggs.

On display will be Biggs' "Baby Book" and other documents and photographs, a copy of his Last Will and Testament, documentation of his house for the National Register of Historic Places, and information about his role as a community leader.

Thursday, December 1, at 7:00 pm Ed Maliskas will present selections from his book John Brown to James Brown --The Little Farm Where Liberty Budded, Blossomed, and Boogied.

The Kennedy Farmhouse on Chestnut Grove Road in Washington County is best known as the headquarters of John Brown's raid on the federal arsenal at nearby Harpers Ferry in 1859. A lesser known use of the house will also be discussed at the SHS meeting. A century after John Brown’s raid, the little farm was used by the Black Elks as a National Shrine during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. And from 1950 to 1965, the Elks rented their auditorium for dances that featured entertainers such as Aretha Franklin, James Brown, the Coasters, Otis Redding, and many other black artists who performed on the Chitlin’ Circuit.

Please bring any recordings of these entertainers (vinyl, cd, tape) that SHS will play following the presentation. The meeting is free and open to all. Light refreshments will be served. Info.: 301.992.9767


The Sharpsburg Historical Society has awarded the Jan Wetterer Memorial Scholarship to Cole Shank.

Cole is a member of the 2015 graduating class of Boonsboro High School. Cole, who was graduated with honors on June 5, is the 18-year-old son of Kevin and Victoria Shank. He will begin his post-secondary education at Hagerstown Community College enrolled as a history major. Cole has a special interest in World War II.

The Sharpsburg Historical Society established the $500 scholarship in memory of its member Jan Wetterer who died in July 2014. Jan was an active member of the Sharpsburg society and other historical and preservation groups in Washington County.

The Sharpsburg Historical Society, established in 2002, offered the scholarship as part of its mission to promote, recover, and preserve the history of the Sharpsburg area and to support education and research. Information at 301 992 9767.


Here are the SHS By-Laws:

Articles I and II

Article III

Article IV

Sharpsburg turned 250 in July 2013!!

On July 7, 2013 the town of Sharpsburg and the Sharpsburg Historical Society marked the July founding of the town with ceremony and events including a wreath laying at the Chapline family burial plot in Mountain View Cemetery, an ice cream social and a band concert by the Rohrersville Band, whose founder G.W. McCoy was from Sharpsburg.

The Headquarters of the Sharpsburg Historical Society is open by appointment -- call 301 992 9767. It is located in the Sharpsburg Town Hall which is upstairs from the library on the town square.



ABOUT SHARPSBURG

Sharpsburg was already an old colonial frontier town when the Union and Confederate Armies converged here in 1862 to fight the bloodiest day's battle of the Civil War. Founded right after the French and Indian War, Sharpsburg served local farmers into the 20th Century with tradesmen and with access to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.

It has evolved into a modern bedroom community, still a small town, with many of its Federalist-era log homes intact and protected by siding and brick. Prosperous farmers and craftsmen of the mid-1800’s still have descendents here, bearing their family names.

The Sharpsburg Historical Society is devoted to researching, preserving and celebrating the history of Sharpsburg, Maryland. We hope to reach anyone who has an interest in this old town, including the other descendents of those farmers and craftsmen who have migrated far from here. This site is a place to share some of what we have found.

We are a very small group, so we would welcome your help in events and projects, and in sharing historical information. Please visit our pages to learn about our activities and how to join, and to see what we have found in our research so far.


The Upper Potomac in the Civil War: Derived from a 1965 Publication of the District of Columbia Civil War Centennial Commission : A series of 51 watercolor paintings with accompanying narrative / by Garnet W. Jex; produced with the active help and guidance of John R. Winters, A.D. Kenamond, Paul J. Sedgwick, J. Gay Seabourne, Walter R. Jex.

A reissue of a book that came out in 1965, this book is now available through the Sharpsburg Historical Society.

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