By Jessica Kaplan
Photos by Kimi Raspa
This March, in honor of Women's History Month, take a guided tour through downtown Annapolis—around Church Circle, down Main Street, and towards the waterfront. Discover a finely distilled version of Annapolis 's colonial (1700-1776) past and hear the stories of Annapolis 's female tavern keepers. Learn why women operated a third of all inns in Annapolis , their impact on the city, and why, in time, they disappeared.
She Packed a Mean Punch
Two hundred years before the Marriott Corporation built its national hotel empire, Elizabeth Marriot (no relation) operated one of colonial Annapolis 's most frequented taverns, the Sign of the Ship. At the corner of South-East (now Duke of Gloucester) and Charles Streets, Marriot's “house of entertainment,” a precursor to the modern hotel, offered food, liquor, lodging, and stabling. Customers that chose to “favour her with their Company, [could] depend upon good Usage.”
Marriot learned the tavern trade from her first husband, innkeeper Samuel Harvey. From her second husband, William Marriot, Elizabeth discovered the difficulties of running a successful business in a man's world. Elizabeth 's hands were tied as William mismanaged her inheritance. He legally owned all the wealth Elizabeth had brought to their marriage and became the licensed proprietor in the family despite Elizabeth 's greater experience.
When William died in 1737, “Widow Marriot” took over the Sign of the Ship. She never remarried. Under her skilled direction, the tavern flourished. A savvy entrepreneur, Marriot vended dry goods from her inn and became a financial creditor to area landowners and businessmen. On her death in 1755, she was worth “upwards of 3000 pounds,” an impressive sum.
Historical Draughts
As Elizabeth 's story illustrates, women played an important role in colonial Annapolis 's tavern trade and its larger economy. Like Marriot, many were proficient hostesses and experienced managers; professionals in every sense of the word.
Though more men held licenses to operate inns, Annapolis 's women performed most of the day-to-day work of tavern management. William Reynolds, proprietor of the Beaver and Lac'd Hat, made hats by trade. While he plied his main business, his wives (three over time) performed the hostessing, cooking, serving, and simple accounting that kept the tavern functioning. Inn keeping helped the Reynolds family and other Annapolitans of middling means prosper.
Like Elizabeth Marriot, most women became independent tavern proprietors upon the death of a licensed spouse. For these widows, a tavern often served as a type of insurance policy. If well supervised, it could provide a steady income and self-sufficiency. In the case of Anne Golder Johnson Ashmead, it attracted suitors eager to enter into the accommodations trade. After losing her first husband John Golder, Anne inherited his beds, chairs, linens, glassware and liquor; all the necessities with which to operate a respectable establishment. Her subsequent husbands, Robert Johnson and Joseph Ashmead, using her resources, opened taverns.
Before the 1760s, a tavern license often translated into increased opportunity. Catherine Minskie and Anne Burman sold merchandise from their taverns and operated ferry services. “Industrious Burman” (dubbed by the Tuesday Club) took her enterprise one sordid step further. Her tavern by the docks doubled as a brothel. In 1754, authorities temporarily closed the operation. Just seven months later, a “reformed” Burman was back in the tavern business.
By the Board
After the 1760s, as Annapolis entered its “Golden Age” of prosperity, proprietors began enlarging and gentrifying their establishments. Mary Howard operated the Annapolis Coffee House after her husband's death in 1769. With 24 elegant rooms and a European style menu, the genteel Coffee House became the popular watering hole for the social and political elite.
For many innkeepers, male and female, gentrification brought increased debt. John Ball operated two upscale inns. In 1784, he died intestate and heavily overextended. His widow, Sarah Ball, bore the brunt of his financial woes. Unequal property and inheritance laws denied her all but a third of John's wealth and property. With these funds, she needed to pay off John's extensive debts. Sarah opened the King of France Tavern in hopes of staving off financial ruin. By 1786, she declared bankruptcy and her personal property was sold to pay back creditors.
During Annapolis 's Golden Age, women found it increasingly difficult to succeed in the tavern field. Like Sarah Ball, the economic realities of an uneven playing field made it impossible for them to compete with men. Changing social attitudes towards ladies in “public” occupations made inn keeping less respectable.
Women began “declining” tavern keeping in favor of boardinghouse proprietorship. Boardinghouses offered private lodgings without the supposed depravity of a public tavern. The shift towards boardinghouse keeping meant the exodus of women tavern keepers from Annapolis 's downtown commercial district.
Elizabeth Marriot and her female colleagues made important contributions to colonial Annapolis . In a city overflowing with history, their legacy must not be forgotten.
Jessica Kaplan works as a freelance researcher and archivist in the Greater Washington area. She received her Masters in Library Services and MA in History from the University of Maryland in College Park in 1995. Her master's thesis and ongoing interest is Female Tavern and Boardinghouse Keepers of eighteenth-century Annapolis . The Women of Spirit Tour was first created and led by Kaplan in 2006.
Hear the stories of a dozen women who “kept tavern” in colonial Annapolis , where you could meet, eat, drink, board, and (sometimes) more.
When: March 25, 2007, 1-3 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.
Your Guide: Jessica Kaplan
Tours benefit Anne Arundel Women Giving Together whose mission includes:
· Grant making programs that support women and families
· Engaging and educating women donors about issues affecting women and families in their community and about philanthropy and grant making.
· Building the power of collective philanthropy in Anne Arundel County .
Operating under the auspices of the Community Foundation of the Chesapeake , Anne Arundel Women Giving Together was created in late 2005 and has grown to 72 members. During 2007, the group will launch its first round of grants to benefit women and families. For more information on the organization, its membership, and its grants, please go to www.givingtogether.org
For more information on the tour or to purchase tickets, email womentavernkeepers@verizon.net or call (703) 528-9749. Space is limited.
‘Stars on Ice' Skates into Baltimore
By Becki Lee
The last of the winter icicles are melting off the trees, tulips are poking their heads out of the soil and other signs of spring are making themselves evident, but come March 22, you will be able to see one last bit of ice—in Baltimore at the 1st Mariner arena. On March 22, the Smucker's Stars on Ice tour will skate into Baltimore 's 1st Mariner Arena to delight and entertain your family. Stars on Ice is an Emmy Award-winning national figure skating tour where champion skaters perform choreographed routines set to popular music and state-of-the-art lighting effects, combining athleticism and entertainment. Each skater performs two solo routines along with several group numbers where the entire cast joins in.
Pro skater Todd Eldredge, a World Champion and three-time Olympian, is one of 13 world-class skaters who will perform in the 21 st annual tour of Smucker's Stars on Ice.
“It's awesome,” he says. “To me, it's definitely the best production skating show there is in the world.”
When Eldredge was five years old, he unwrapped a pair of hockey skates for Christmas. Within three weeks, he requested that the hockey skates be exchanged for a pair of figure skates.
“I wanted to do jumps and spins,” says Eldredge. “I thought it would be more fun.”
Now, 30 years later, Eldredge is still figure skating—and he shows no sign of slowing down. This is Eldredge's fifth year in a row performing with Stars on Ice out of a six-year contract, and though Eldredge says it is too soon to tell now, he would be happy to continue skating for the tour in the future.
Stars on Ice is the brainchild of Olympic champion and four-time World Champion Scott Hamilton, who conceived the idea and co-produced it. And this year, the star-studded roster includes Olympic pair champions Jamie Salé and David Pelletier, two-time gold medalist Ekaterina Gordeeva, Olympic men's champion and four-time World Champion Alexei Yagudin, Olympic gold medalist Ilia Kulik, and several other famous and talented athletes.
“Since 1986, the hallmark of Stars on Ice has always been to present the finest skaters in the world doing what they do best. Skate!” says Hamilton .
The producers introduce a new theme for this popular skating show each year, and for the 2006-2007 tour it is “Double Exposure: The Many Lives of Figure Skaters.” The performance is designed to reveal the goals, dreams, hearts and minds of the skaters through a wide spectrum of music, technical effects and—of course—skating.
“From a thematic point of view, we have always paid particular attention to developing a story line in each year's production—one that is not only enhanced by new production ideas, but showcases our stars, and at the same time solicits a wide variety of emotions from our audience,” says Hamilton. “This year is no exception. Smucker's Stars on Ice continues to be pure performance and theatrically thought-provoking.”
As in past years, partial proceeds from the sale of every ticket will benefit the Boys and Girls Club. The Boys and Girls Club of America gives 4.6 million children a place to facilitate recreation, learning and growth in 4,000 Boys and Girls Clubs all over the country every year, according to the Boys and Girls Club website.
Eldredge says he is happy to be a part of the good cause—although performing in skating legend Scott Hamilton's production is a nice bonus.
“Scott Hamilton has been a huge idol of mine throughout my whole career, so it's great to be involved in something associated with him,” Eldredge added.
Eldredge will be skating to Scott Stapp's “Broken” and the Goo Goo Dolls' “Better Days,” he says. The choreography for “Broken” has a bit of a hard rock edge, explains Eldridge, as opposed to a more mellow or classical approach. In contrast, “Better Days” is a little more upbeat and the movements chosen for his skate routine evoke visions of a happier future, Eldredge says.
The show should have something for everybody and should be a special treat to those who've never witnessed a live skating performance before.
“I always tell people, if they're never been to a live show and they've only seen shows on TV, it's 100 percent different,” says Eldredge. “It's so much more exciting to be there live. The music has more impact, with the atmosphere and the lights. We're skating five or ten feet from the front row…And not only is it a fun show, you're helping out the Boys and Girls Club.”
Tickets for the performance in Baltimore start at $25 and may be purchased at the 1st Mariner Arena Box Office, Ticketmaster locations, by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling (410) 547-SEAT.
So Smucker's Stars on Ice tour has inspired you to pick up a pair of skates and start practicing your triple lutzes. But before you start trying those fancy jumps and turns, make sure you've gotten the most important part of skating down: safety!
Ensure that your skates fit snugly and that they provide adequate ankle support. If you're in-between sizes, go with the smaller fit.
Lace up your skates all the way. If your feet feel numb, the laces are too tight. If your ankles flop inward when you're on dry ground, the laces are too loose. Be sure to knot up any excess lace so you don't trip while you're on the ice.
Helmets are recommended for beginners. Consider wearing kneepads and elbow pads. And don't forget the gloves.
And before you hit the ice, log on to our online skating primer at www.whatsupmag.com. Check your local skating rink—some may offer instructional courses for beginning skaters. Have fun, and above all, be safe!
IF YOU GO:
Bowie Ice Arena
3330 Northview Dr. , Bowie
(301) 809-3090
Glen Burnie Town Center
103 Crain Hwy. (corner of B&A Blvd), Glen Burnie
(410) 768-7700
SkateNation at Piney Orchard
8781 Piney Orchard Pkwy. , Odenton
(410) 672-7013, Ext. 100
Talbot County Community Center (currently under renovation)
10028 Ocean Gtwy., Easton
(410) 770-8050
TIPS FOR ASPIRING ICE SKATERS:
· http://home.pacbell.net/anamga/intro.html
· http://nene.essortment.com/beginningicefi_per.htm · http://www.skatelog.com/ice/
Back to Top
When, Who, Where, and What You'll Dig . . .
By j.s. houck
3/2 Coco Montoya at Rams Head OnStage, Annapolis (410) 268-4545
A fiery blues guitar player who's a little unorthodox, Montoya is a southpaw who plays a Fender Stratocaster strung upside down on right-handed headstock. The ten-year vet of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and protégé of Albert Collins will celebrate his new release, Dirty Deal, first in Annapolis and then in Fall Church at the State Theatre on 3/3.
3/3 Chick Corea & Bela Fleck at the Warner Theatre , D.C. (410) 547-SEAT
A match made in heaven? No you don't have to wait for the pearly gates to catch one of jazz music's most prolific composers and pianist in the last half-century in Corea pair with one of the most gifted, jazz-inspired banjoists in Fleck. The duo will soon release a disc of original compositions.
3/5 Oteil Burbridge & The Peacemakers at Rams Head OnStage, Annapolis (410) 268-4545
Bass hound Burbridge and his backing Peacemakers will bring da funk to the Head. They've hit the road touring in support of their own new disc, Believer, a mix of jam/jazz/funk tunes. Though the band is collaborative and improvisation, it also provides a platform for Burbridge to play leader of the band—a departure from his supporting role as bassist for the Allman Brothers Band.
3/6 Los Lobos & Taj Mahal at Rams Head Live!, Baltimore (410) 244-1131
It's five parts rock and one part blues. Since their LA beginnings in 1973, Los Lobos has charted musical territory steeped in rockabilly, blues, Latin, and jazz. However, this tour is acoustic and should provide more than a few surprises. Since the early 60s Taj Mahal (his stage name) has been carving the blues with splashes of Caribbean , Cajun, gospel, and reggae influence. (also 3/9 at the State Theatre).
3/8-11 Stanley Jordan at the Blues Alley, D.C. (202) 337-4141
Who can sound like two or three guitarists at once, with no overdubbing? That's right, Jordan . By using a technique called “touch” or “tapping” Jordan is able to play notes on the fretboard of the guitar with both hands. The virtuoso draws from a wide range of musical genres and influences, but is rooted in the jazz aesthetic.
3/13 Josh Groban at the Verizon Center , D.C. (410) 547-SEAT
If you're looking to fall in love, it could probably happen at a Josh Groban concert. His sensual piano compositions and vocals are hit and pull at the heart with one emotional string after another. A great catch if love is in the air—it's springtime after all.
3/15-18 Stanley Clarke at the Blues Alley, D.C. (202) 337-4141
Four nights after one Stanley leaves the building, Blues Alley hosts another. Stanley Clark is a virtuoso in his own right—and that right is the bass guitar. He burst upon the jazz scene in '71 revolutionizing bass theory and playing, and been a dynamo ever since.
3/19 Keiko Matsui at the Birchmere, Alexandria (410) 547-SEAT
One of Japan 's finest plays the States for a tour. Matsui is smooth as in jazz and experimental as in new age. Her gifted piano playing and composing has won her somewhat of a cult following.
3/23 Snow Patrol at Bender Arena, D.C. (410) 547-SEAT
With an ethereal, almost ambient, musical foundation, Snow Patrol's songs have a cosmic, mesmerizing quality to them. It's rock with a yearning sense of urgency in the messages vocalized. There's also a gritty edge the five-member, UK band that shows on occasion.
3/25 Keb' Mo' at Rams Head Live!, Baltimore (410) 244-1131
Gotta love Keb'—he's a modern day bluesman, with an R&B/funk/rock sense. Slick ‘n' smooth begins to describe the Grammy-winner's endearing delivery of extremely likable and ear pleasing tunes. The blues never felt so good.
3/27 Jeff Antoniuk at Towson University , Towson (410) 704-ARTS.
Canadian-bred but local saxophonist and music educator Jeff Antoniuk and his band, The Jazz Update, continue to explore and reinvent the landscape of jazz with lively acoustic performances. Antoniuk's latest musical project Here Today is solid proof of his musical maturity and influence within the world of jazz.
1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore
(410) 547-SEAT
4/21 Blue Man Group
4/27 Lynyrd Skynyrd & Hank Williams, Jr.
4/28 Christina Aguilera
9:30 Club, D.C.
(800) 955-5566
4/1 Amiina
4/4 Antibalas
4/7 Kaiser Chiefs
4/9 You Oughta Know Tour
4/10 Low
4/13 Plain White T's
4/17 The Books (early)
4/17 Ratatat (late)
4/18 TV on the Radio
4/29 The Tragically Hip
4/6 Vienna Teng
4/7 The Roches
4/13 David Lindley
4/25 Tempest
4/1 Lobster Boys & Ship of Fools
4/2 Ledisi
4/3 Buddy Guy
4/6 Lunasa
4/7 Cleve Francis
4/9 Buddy Guy (yes, again)
4/10-11 Leo Kottke & David Lindley
4/13 Robert Klein
4/14 SGGL
4/25 Colin Hay
4/27-28 Average White Band
Blues Alley, D.C.
(202) 337-4141
4/4-7 Tuck & Patti
4/19-22 David Benoit
Lisner Auditorium , D.C.
4/5 Jars of Clay
4/10 Lura
4/21 Russell Peters
(410) 280-5640
4/1 Blind Boys of Alabama
4/25 David Burgess
(410) 783-8000
4/14 Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood
(410) 268-4545
4/1 Hapa
4/2 Tuck & Patti
4/3 Ledisi
4/12-13 New Rider of the Purple Sage
4/14 Suede
4/15 1964: The Tribute (early)
4/15 Bob Schneider (late)
4/20 Over the Rhine
4/21 Michael Franks
4/22 Stayin' Alive
4/24 Colin Hay
4/27 Willy Porter
4/28 Ralph's World
4/29 Average White Band
(410) 244-1131
4/6 Peeping Tom
4/15 You Oughta Know Tour
4/16 Alternative Press Tour
4/17 Taylor Hicks
4/21 Brand New
4/4 Tim Reynolds
4/13 Weekapaug Orchestra
4/15 Avett Brothers
4/23 Balkan Beat Box
4/20 Jedi Mind Trick
4/13 Bob Schneider
4/20 Leon Russell
1 (877) WOLFTRAP
4/3-4 Vienna Teng
4/5 The Nighthawks
4/6 Roger McGuinn
4/7 Tom Chapin
4/11 John Scofield Trio
4/12 Hothouse Flowers
4/13 Ahn Trio
4/14 Amanda McBroom
4/18-19 Kathy Mattea
4/20 Christine Lavin
4/22 Guy Clark
4/25 Frank Morgan
4/26 Pam Tillis
4/27 Paul Galbraith
4/28 The Bobs
Verizon Center , D.C.
4/2 Christina Aguilera
Warner Theatre , D.C.
4/12 Pat Metheny
4/14 The Fab Faux
4/19 Chris Botti
4/21 George Carlin
ANNE ARRUNDELL COUNTY FREE SCHOOL , 1298 Lavall Dr. (off Rutland Rd. ), Davidsonville. Maryland 's oldest existing school, now a living history classroom museum. Open by appointment with historical reenactments. Free. Call (410) 573-0840 to schedule a tour.
ANNAPOLIS MARITIME MUSEUM , 723 Second St. (adjacent to McNasby's in Eastport), Annapolis . Housed in the Barge House, an interim Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse Interpretive Center focuses on the maritime history of the region and a starting point for a self-guided walking tour of Eastport where you can check out an audio guide (CD) to enrich your history experience. Open March 3. (410) 295-0104. www.annapolismaritimemuseum.org
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN LIFE AND HISTORY , 84 Franklin St. , Annapolis . Open 10-3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. Free. 410-216-6180. www.bdmuseum.com
BENSON-HAMMOND HOUSE , Andover Rd. & Aviation Blvd., Linthicum. 11-3 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. (410) 768-9518 or (410) 766-1758 to arrange a tour.
CAPTAIN SALEM AVERY HOUSE MUSEUM , 1418 E.W. Shady Side Rd., Shady Side. Open March-December, Tues.-Sun. 1-4 p.m. (410) 867-4486. www.averyhouse.org
CHARLES CARROLL HOUSE , 107 Duke of Gloucester St. , Annapolis . Birthplace of Declaration of Independence signer. Open for tours by appointment. Call (410) 269-1737. www.charlescarrollhouse.com
CHASE-LLOYD HOUSE , 22 Maryland Ave. , Annapolis . Open during the winter only to large groups by appointment. (410) 263-2723. www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/declaration/site13.htm
CHESAPEAKE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM , 25 Silopanna Rd. , Annapolis . 10-4 p.m. daily except Wednesdays, which are for groups by appointment. $3 for ages 1 and up. (410) 990-1993. www.theccm.org
CAPITAL CITY COLONIALS , See the Historic District of Annapolis from an 18 th century viewpoint. Walking and specialty tours with colonial-clad guides. (410) 295-9715. www.capitalcitycolonials.com
HAMMOND-HARWOOD HOUSE , 19 Maryland Ave. , Annapolis . A fully restored 1774 residence renowned for its architecture and authentic furnishings. Open only by appointment for group tours through March. April-October: Tues.-Sun. noon-5 p.m. $6 adults, $3 children, $5.50 for college/graduate students w/ valid ID. (410) 263-4683. www.hammondharwoodhouse.org
HISTORICAL & GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH CENTER AT THE KUETHE LIBRARY , 5 Crain Hwy., SE , Glen Burnie . Includes the holdings of both the Ann Arrundell County Historical Society and the Anne Arundel Genealogical Society. Thursday-Saturday, 10-4 p.m. $2 for non-members of the Historical or Genealogical Societies. (410) 760-9679. www.aagensoc.org
HISTORIC ANNAPOLIS FOUNDATION properties include THE BARRACKS at 43 Pinkney St., THE OLD TREASURY BUILDING on State Circle , SHIPLAP HOUSE at 18 Pinkney St., the WATERFRONT WAREHOUSE at 4 Pinkney St. and THE WILLIAM PACA HOUSE & GARDEN (see separate listing, below). Call for hours or group appointments. (410) 267-7619. www.annapolis.org
HISTORIC ANNAPOLIS FOUNDATION MUSEUM STORE , 77 Main St. , Annapolis . (410) 268-5576. www.annapolis.org
HISTORIC LONDON TOWN & GARDENS , 839 Londontown Rd. , Edgewater. Tuesday-Saturday, 10-3 p.m. & Sunday noon-3 p.m. The gardens and historic site open to self-guided tours. William Brown House closed Jan.-March. $4-7 adults, $5 seniors, $3 for children 7-12, free for children younger than 7. (410) 222-1919. www.historiclondontown.com
HISTORYQUEST in the St. Clair Wright Center, 99 Main St. , Annapolis . The newest addition to Historic Annapolis Foundation properties, HistoryQuest is designed to provide a multimedia prospective to the City's four centuries of history. Permanent exhibits, self-guided tours, and a video entitled “A Museum Without Walls.” Open Tuesday 9:30-5 p.m. & Sunday 11-5 p.m. Closed on Mondays. No admission, only suggested donations. (410) 267-6656. www.annapolis.org
MARYLAND STATE HOUSE , 90 State Circle , Annapolis . The oldest state house in continuous use in the nation. State house and visitor center open 7 days a week, 8:30-5 p.m. Guided tours available daily at 11 a.m. & 3 p.m. (410) 974-3400. www.msa.md.gov
MITCHELL GALLERY AT ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE , 60 College Ave. , Annapolis . Features exhibitions of museum quality works. Tuesday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m. & Friday, 7-8 p.m. (410) 626-2556. www.sjca.edu
PRESIDENTIAL PET MUSEUM , 51 Maryland Ave. , Annapolis . A gallery of past presidents and their pets. Nov.-March: Tuesday-Sunday, 11-5 p.m. $2. (410) 280-8850. www.presidentialpetmuseum.com
U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY'S ARMEL-LEFTWICH VISITOR CENTER , Gate 1, foot of Prince George St. , Annapolis . Films, displays, and interactive exhibits on USNA life. Home of USNA Gift Shop. 9-4 p.m. daily. Free. Guided tours Monday-Saturday, 10-2 p.m. & Sunday 12:30-2 p.m. $8 for adults, $7 for senior, $6 for students in 1 st -12 th grade, and free for pre-schoolers. (410) 263-6933. www.navyonline.com
U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY MUSEUM , Preble Hall, 118 Maryland Ave. , Annapolis .
Exhibits on the history of the Navy and the Naval Academy , with extensive collection of models, historic paintings, small arms, uniforms, and relics from American conflicts. New gallery on the history of the Navy in the 20th century. Free. Monday-Saturday, 9-5 p.m. & Sunday 11-5 p.m. (410) 293-2108. www.usna.edu/Museum
Walk side-by-side with colonial-dressed guides through the town's famous landmarks (and some hidden gems). Explore the local waterways on the Chesapeake 's largest fleet. (410) 268-7601 x104. www.watermarkcruises.com
WILLIAM PACA HOUSE AND GARDEN , 186 Prince George St. , Annapolis . The fully restored residence and garden of a Declaration of Independence signer. Winter hours until March 24 th : Friday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m. March 25-December 31: Monday-Saturday, 10-5 p.m. & Sunday, noon-5 p.m. $8 adults, $5 for ages 6-17, free for children 5 and under. (410) 267-7619. www.annapolis.org
ANNMARIE GARDEN is a public sculpture park located on Dowell Rd. , just off Route 2/4 in Solomons. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, they feature many works of outdoor sculpture on loan from the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden . Open daily 9-5 p.m. Free admission. The site is handicap accessible and is pet friendly, except during special events. (410) 326-4640. www.annmariegarden.org
BAY ARTS CENTER , 9100 Bay Ave., #A101 , North Beach . Visual arts classes and events for all ages. (410) 257-3270. www.bayartscenter.org
BELAIR MANSION , 12207 Tulip Grove Dr. , Bowie . Exhibits Bowie 's earliest history within a 5-part Georgian plantation house of Samuel Ogle, Provincial Governor of Maryland . Wed.-Sun., 12-4 p.m. Free, donations suggested. (301) 809-3089. www.cityofbowie.org
CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM , Solomons. Indoor and outdoor exhibits on nautical history and marine life; cruises on the historic Wm. B. Tennison . Daily, 10-5 p.m. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $2 for ages 5-12, free for ages under 5. (410) 326-2042. www.calvertmarinemuseum.org
COLLEGE PARK AVIATION MUSEUM , 1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Dr. , College Park . Daily, 10-5 p.m. (except major holidays). $4 adults, $3 seniors, $2 for children and students. Under 2 free. (301) 864-6029. www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.com
DORSEY CHAPEL , 10704 Brookland Rd. , Glenn Dale. Historic African American chapel, originally dedicated in 1900. Walk-in tours Fridays, 11-3 p.m. Free. (301) 352-5544.
GALESVILLE HERITAGE MUSEUM , 988 Main St. , Galesville. Showcases 350 years of village history. April-November: Sundays, 1-4 p.m. Boat tours by appointment. Free. (410) 867-9499. www.galesvilleheritagesociety.org
HARTGE NAUTICAL MUSEUM, Hartge Boat Yard, Church Ln. , Galesville. Open daily. Free. Call for a guided tour. (410) 268-1837 or hartgeboat@aol.com
HISTORICAL ELECTRONICS MUSEUM , 1745 West Nursery Rd. , Linthicum. Displays on basic electronics, radar, countermeasures, communications, and space. Weekdays 9-3 p.m., Sat. 10-2 p.m. Free. (410) 765-0230. www.hem-usa.org
MARIETTA HOUSE MUSEUM , 5626 Bell Station Rd. , Glenn Dale. 1813 Federal style home of Gabriel Duvall, Supreme Court Associate Justice. Fri. 11-3 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 12-4 p.m. $3 adults, $2 seniors, $1 ages 5-18, 4 and under free. (301) 464-5291.
NATIONAL CRYPTOLOGIC MUSEUM, 9900 Colony 7 Rd., Ft. Meade . Explore the once-secret world of codes and ciphers. Mon.-Fri, 9-4 p.m. and lst and 3rd Sat. 10-2 p.m. Closed on all federal holidays & Sundays. Free. (301) 688-5849. www.nsa.gov/museum/
PATUXENT NATIONAL WILDLIFE VISITOR CENTER , Powder Mill Rd. between Balto-Washington Pkwy. & Rt. 197, Laurel. Explore wildlife, habitats, and endangered species. Mid March-October, 10-5:30 p.m. November-mid March, 10-4:30 p.m. daily. Free. (301) 497-5887. www.fws.gov/northeast/patuxent/vcdefault.html
RADIO AND TELEVISION MUSEUM , 2608 Mitchellville Rd. , Bowie . Exhibits on the early days of electronic media. Fri. 10-5 p.m., Sat. & Sun., 1-5 p.m. Free. (301) 390-1020. www.radiohistory.org
SEABROOK SCHOOLHOUSE , 6116 Seabrook Rd. , Lanham. One room schoolhouse built in 1896. Call for tours. (301) 464-5291.
Washington , D.C.
THE CORCORAN GALLERY OF ART , 500 & 17th St., NW . A private collection of American and European works. $8 adults, $6 seniors and military personnel, $4 for students. $3 member guests, free for members & ages 12 and under. Open Wed.-Sun., 10-5 p.m. (Thurs. 10-9 p.m.). Closed Mon. & Tues. (202) 639-1700. www.corcoran.org
THE FREER GALLERY OF ART, Jefferson Drive at 12 th Street SW. &
ARTHUR M. SACKLER GALLERY , 1050 Independence Ave. S.W.
Open daily, 10-5:30 p.m. except Dec. 25. Free. (202) 633-4880. www.asia.si.edu
HIRSHHORN MUSEUM AND SCULPTURE GARDEN, Independence Ave. at 7 th St SW. Open daily, 10-5:30 p.m. except Dec. 25. Free. (202) 633-4674. www.hirshhorn.si.edu
INTERNATIONAL SPY MUSEUM, 800 F St. NW. Explores espionage with interactive displays and exhibits. Jan. 2-March 30, 10-6 p.m. March 31-Aug. 11, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 12-Dec. 31, 10-6 p.m. daily. (Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on March 1-30 & Sept. 3-Oct. 31) $16 adults, $15 seniors, $13 ages 5-11, free for ages 4 and under. Advance ticket sales through Ticketmaster: (410) 547-SEAT. Museum line (202) 393-7798. www.spymuseum.org
NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM , 6th St. & Independence Ave., SW. Exhibits on flight and IMAX films (info (877) 932-IMAX). 10-5:30 p.m. Free. (202) 633-1000. NASM's new facility, the STEVEN F. UDVAR-HAZY CENTER in Chantilly , VA , displays 200 aircraft and 135 spacecraft. Open daily, 10-5:30 p.m. except December 25. Free. (202) 633-1000. www.nasm.si.edu
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART , between 3 rd & 9 th Streets NW, on Constitution Ave. Open Mon.-Sat. 10–5 p.m.; Sun. 11-6 p.m. Closed Dec. 25-Jan. 1. (202) 737-4215. www.nga.gov
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN ART , 950 Independence Ave., SW. Open daily, 10-5:30 p.m. except Dec. 25. Free. (202) 633-4600. www.nmafa.si.edu
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY , 14 th Street & Constitution Ave. NW. Museum closed for renovation. Reopens in summer 2008. (202) 633-1000. www.americanhistory.si.edu
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN , 4 th & Independence Ave. SW. World's largest collection of American Indian art and artifacts spanning 10,000 years. Open daily, 10-5:30 p.m. except Dec. 25. (202) 633-1000. www.nmai.si.edu
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, 10 th Street & Constitution Ave., NW. Open daily, 10-5:30 p.m. except Dec. 25. Free. (202) 633-1000. IMAX films at Samuel C. Johnson IMAX Theatre, $8.50 adults, $7.50 seniors, $7 youth. (info 877-932-IMAX) www.mnh.si.edu
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WOMEN IN THE ARTS , 1250 New York Ave., NW. Open Mon.-Sat.10-5 p.m.; Sunday noon-5 p.m. $8 adults, $6 students and seniors ages 60+, free for members and ages 18 and under. (202) 783-5000. www.nmwa.org
NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK , 3001 Connecticut Ave. , NW. Nearly 4,500 animals from great apes to Komodo dragons and pandas. Open daily except Dec. 25. Free. (202) 633-1000. www.nationalzoo.si.edu
RENWICK GALLERY of the National Museum of American Art, 17 th Street & Pennsylvania Ave., NW. Open daily 10-5:30 p.m. except Dec. 25. Free. (202) 633-2850. www.americanart.si.edu/renwick/index.cfm
U.S. HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM , 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW. A permanent exhibition on the Holocaust; passes are free, but are required for admission. Available same-day or in advance. Open daily 10-5:30 p.m. except Oct. 2 & Dec. 25. Free. (202) 488-0400. www.ushmm.org
Baltimore
AMERICAN VISIONARY ART MUSEUM , 800 Key Hwy. 250 unique “grassroots” artworks by self-taught artists. Open Tues.-Sun. 10-6 p.m. Closed Mondays. $12 adults, $8 student/child, $7 groups of 10+, $5 school group grades K-12 (chaperones $7 adults), free for ages 4 and under. (410) 244-1900. www.avam.org
B&O RAILROAD MUSEUM , 901 W. Pratt St . A 37-acre indoor/outdoor museum with original locomotives and memorabilia. Open Mon.-Fri. 10-4 p.m., Sat. 10-5 p.m., Sun. 11-4 p.m. $14 adults, $12 seniors 60+, $8 ages 2-12, free for ages 2 and under. (410) 752-2490. www.borail.org
BABE RUTH BIRTHPLACE/BALTIMORE ORIOLES MUSEUM , 216 Emory St. off the 600 block of W. Pratt St. Open daily Nov.-March 10-5 p.m., April-Oct. 10-6 p.m. (until 7:30 p.m. on Orioles home game days). Closed Mondays. $6 adults, $4 seniors, $3 for ages 3-12. (410) 727-1539. www.baberuthmuseum.com
BALTIMORE CIVIL WAR MUSEUM , 601 President St. Open daily 10-5 p.m. $4 adults, $3 for ages 13-17, free for members & ages 12 and under. (410) 385-5188. www.mdhs.org
BALTIMORE MARITIME MUSEUM, Inner Harbor at Pier 3 & 5. The submarine Torsk , the floating lightship Chesapeake and the Coast Guard cutter Taney . Open daily 10-5 p.m. Extended hours in summer. $8 adults, $6 for ages 60+, $4 for ages 6-14, free for ages 5 and under. (410) 396-3453. www.baltomaritimemuseum.org
BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART , 10 Art Museum Dr. at North Charles and 31 st Sts. Open Wed.-Fri. 11-5 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 11-6 p.m. Free first Thursdays, 11-9 p.m. Closed Mon. & Tues. Admission is currently free. (443) 573-1700. www.artbma.org
BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF INDUSTRY , 1415 Key Hwy. Baltimore industry in the 19 th century. Open Tues.-Sat. 10- 4 p.m.; Sun. 11-4 p.m. Open Mondays for school tours only. $10 adults, $6 children & seniors, free for ages 4 and under. (410) 727-4808. www.thebmi.org
FELLS POINT MARITIME MUSEUM , 1724 Thames St . The story of shipbuilders and clipper schooner sailors during the heyday of the Baltimore seaport. Open Thurs.-Mon., 10-5 p.m. $4 adults, $3 for seniors and ages 13-17, free for members and ages 12 and under. (410) 732-0278. www.mdhs.org/explore/maritime
FORT McHENRY NATIONAL MONUMENT AND HISTORIC SHRINE , 2400 E. Fort Ave. The site that inspired Francis Scott Key's “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Film, exhibits, and walking tours of the star-shaped fort. Grounds open daily, 8-5 p.m. Fort & Visitor Center 8-4:45 p.m. $7 adults, free for ages 15 and under. (410) 962-4290. www.nps.gov/fomc
GEPPI'S ENTERTAINMENT MUSEUM , 301 W. Camden St. American history with a focus on pop culture. April-October, daily, 10-6 p.m.; November-March, Tues.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Inquire for evening hours. $10 adults, $9 seniors, $7 students (ages 3-19), free for ages 3 and under. (410) 625-7060. www.geppisMuseum.com
MARYLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY , 201 W. Monument St. Houses the largest collection of objects and artifacts reflecting the state's history. Open Wed.-Sun. 10-5 p.m. $8 adults, $6 seniors, students and ages 13-17, $4 ages 3-12, free for members. (410) 685-3750. www.mdhs.org
MARYLAND SCIENCE CENTER , 601 Light St. at the Inner Harbor . Newly renovated, with three floors of live demonstrations, interactive displays, planetarium and IMAX theatre. Open through April 8: Tues.-Thurs., Fri. 10-8 p.m., Sat. 10-6 p.m. & Sun. 11-5 p.m. Open April 9-May 25: Mon.-Fri. 10-5 p.m., Sat. 10-6 p.m., Sun. 11-5 p.m. $14-20 adults, $10-14 ages 3-12. (410) 685-5225. www.mdsci.org
MARYLAND ZOO IN BALTIMORE , Druid Hill Park . Celebration of the Zoo's 130th birthday planned throughout the year. Open daily March-June 10-4:30 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Dec. 25, Jan., Feb. & 2 nd Friday in June. $15 adults, $12 seniors, $10 for ages 2-11, free for ages under 2. Free parking. (410) 366-LION. www.marylandzoo.org
NATIONAL AQUARIUM IN BALTIMORE , 501 E. Pratt St. Dramatic aquatic exhibits, live dolphin presentations, and new Australian exhibit. Open daily 10-5 p.m., Fridays, 10-8 p.m. Call for seasonal hours. $21.95 adults, $20.95 seniors 60+, $12.95 ages 3-11, free for ages under 3. (410) 576-3800. www.aqua.org
PORT DISCOVERY , 35 Market Place . Children's museum featuring hands-on fun for kids. HiFlyer helium balloon rides on weekends for additional fee; call for details. Open October-May: Tues.-Fri. 9:30-4:30 p.m., Sat. 10-5 p.m., Sun. 12-5 p.m. Call for summer & Sept. hours. $10.75 for ages 2-102, free for ages under 2. (410) 727-8120. www.portdiscovery.org
SPORTS LEGENDS AT CAMDEN YARDS , 301 W. Camden St. , features over 10,000 artifacts covering Baltimore 's and Maryland 's professional sports teams, college athletics, and state sports. Open Nov.-March: Tues.-Sun. 10-6 p.m. April-Oct.: daily 10-6 p.m. (until 7:30 p.m. on Orioles home game days). $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6.50 children 3-12. (410) 727-1539. www.sportslegendsatcamdenyards.com
THE NATIONAL GREAT BLACKS IN WAX MUSEUM , 1601-03 East North Ave. A presentation of life-size, life-like wax figures highlighting historical and contemporary personalities of African ancestry. Open Oct. 14-Jan. 14: Tues-Sat. 9-5 p.m., Sun. 12-5 p.m.; Jan. 15-Oct. 14: Tues.-Sat. 9-6 p.m., Sun. 12-6 p.m. $9 adults, $8 seniors & students (ages12-17), $6 ages 4-11, free for ages 3 and under. (410) 563-3404. www.ngbiwm.com
WALTERS ART MUSEUM , 600 North Charles St. Open Wed.-Sun. 11-5 p.m., Fridays open until 8 p.m. Admission is currently free. (410) 547-9000. www.thewalters.org
The Quick Six: Celtic Musician Maggie Sansone
Maggie Sansone will perform a St. Patrick's Celtic Celebration concert on 3/19 at the Captain Salem Avery House in Shady Side.
March—a perfectly appropriate month to sit down with one of our region's most well-known and gifted Celtic musicians, Maggie Sansone. You may have come across her clever and whimsical puppet and hammered dulcimer “street” performances at the Renaissance Festival in Crownsville during warmer climes or perhaps enjoyed a more formal affair at Rams Head OnStage in Annapolis or the Avalon Theatre in Easton . She has toured throughout the United States and currently manages the record label, Maggie's Music, which produces quality Irish, Scottish, and Renaissance-style recordings by the region's best musicians. Sansone shares with us her background, musical insights, and business savvy.
What's Up? Annapolis : Maggie, could you talk a bit about your musical background and development? While many of our readers may know you for performing hammered dulcimer, you're actually trained in many instruments. Could you elaborate?
Maggie Sansone: I grew up in Miami , Florida and my house was a fun, creative place to be. My dad was a cartoonist and later owned an Advertising Agency and my mom a copyrighter where she wrote advertising copy for large department store ads for Bloomindales, Macy's, and Burdines in New York City, and then in Miami. My dad was my musical influence and growing up in a family of artists and [with] their friends coming over all the time, who were involved in creative arts careers of various kinds, was a big influence. I started piano lessons at 8. Our family always went to lots of cultural events and usually whomever I heard up on stage I wanted to do that too! When I heard the New York Pro Musica I fell in love with early music and started recorder lessons at 14 and joined the American Recorder Society. Later, I heard a woodwind quintet and loved the sound of the bassoon! So I pursued that instrument, took lessons, and was accepted into the high school orchestra, and won a Bassoon scholarship at the Easton Music Festival and School in Greensboro , NC . When I was 16 years old I heard folk and blues and had to have a guitar! I first took classical guitar lessons then folk and finger picking styles. I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Kent State University in Ohio , but kept up my music and played piano, recorder, and guitar. I have had some formal music training. I read and study music theory and for some of the instruments, I took private lessons, but for others I taught myself or learned the traditional way, by ear, from musical mentors, and by attending sessions. I have since added mandolin, banjo, Scottish small pipes, Persian santur, clarinet, and Irish bodhran to my musical instrument family!
WUA: What attracted you to hammered dulcimer and Celtic music?
MS: It was in the mid-70's, I was living in Baltimore and was playing folk and bluegrass music at jam sessions. There was in influx of Irish immigrants to this area; radio stations playing the music; people sharing their LPs (yes, the old style records) and tunes; Irish sessions that I was attending and generally some wonderful musicians sharing their tunes. The bands I first heard [playing Celtic] music were Celtic Thunder and The Irish Tradition (with Billy McComiskey). My musician friends and I gravitated to the sounds of Celtic music . . . maybe it was the model keys or the haunting scales used, but also the driving energy and the sense of community that went along with the music. I was playing Celtic music on mandolin and guitar at that time and in the Irish band called Kids on the Mountain in Baltimore . Soon after a trip to Key West , I heard the hammered dulcimer and was completely mesmerized. I was obsessed with finding one and learning how to play. The hammered dulcimer was not so easy to find in those days, but a fter a lot of research, I settled on a Sam Rizzetta hammered dulcimer and six months later, I picked it up from him in West Virginia in a raging snow storm. This instrument has become my principal instrument and adapts well to many kinds of music, especially Celtic music.
WUA: You own the record label Maggie's Music. What are some of the rewards and, conversely challenges of owning a record label? Many people might assume that it's very difficult to manage a label in such a cutthroat business as the music industry, but you seem to be quite successful. What's your secret? What do look for in an artist prior to signing them to your label? Put another way, how have you built your roster of artists?
MS: At first it was just myself recording on my own label. I did five albums and decided I wanted to expand my label. With my husband Richard Crenshaw on board as shipper and accountant, we began signing some new artists.
First, by talking to some of musicians I already knew and played music with and who were playing in a style that I liked that later became known as Chamber Folk. Chamber folk combines the energy and excitement of Celtic music with a variety of instruments and early music instruments and often has intricate harmonies and improvisation you would hear in chamber ensemble music. I naturally picked artists whose sound I was attracted to and it gave our label an identity too. Many of our fans can tell when they hear our music that is from Maggie's Music label.
Signing artists to our label is a little like getting married—it's a long term commitment and I have been lucky enough to know the musicians as friends and played music with them over the years, which is probably why the label feels like an extended family! There are so many incredible musicians in just this area, that our label just focused on the musicians in the Washington D.C. area. They all may be local but many of them tour throughout the USA and have gone on to receive national and international acclaim.
WUA: What projects, both as a musician and label owner, are in the works for 2007? You've also performed each year, for the past 20 or so, at the Renaissance Festival. Is that something you'll continue to do?
MS: I'm working on a new album. Yes, I wear two hats—musician and businessperson—but my love is music first and foremost. I'm overdue by a few years and am excited to go into the studio again myself. I plan to continue to perform at the Maryland Renaissance Festival and other annual events (Waterford Festival, Sheep and Wool Festival, Waterfowl Festival, Southern Maryland Celtic Festival to name a few). These local festivals are fun and it keeps my connection to the community too.
WUA: What has been the most satisfying aspect of your “adventure” as a performer and business owner throughout your career?
MS: I love the timeless appeal of the music we feature. It's what keeps our label alive as music fads come and go, but our music is always here. The album I recorded in 1990, Mist and Stone, has sold over 90,000 to date and is one of our best sellers. Riverdance brought Celtic music to millions of people, which was a good thing, but as some of our distributors moved on to the next “big thing,” our music endures. We stay small enough to ride these up and down waves. I also love the various partnerships we have formed with the “big guns” over the years. In 2003, Maggie's Music and XM Satellite Radio with Robert Aubrey Davis, host of XM's “The Village,” created the CD Merrily Greet the Time. In 2001, Maggie's Music and BMG worked together to create a live concert DVD called A Scottish Christmas featuring Bonnie Rideout, and in 1996 we were featured on CBS-TV's “Sunday Morning.” We diversify and sell to Apple iTunes and big Internet retailers, as well as ma and pop stores and museum shops. Of course, I still play music, and am looking for next amazing musical instrument I can learn to play too!
That's the most important thing!
For more information about Sansone and her record label, Maggie's Music, please visit www.maggiesmusic.com.
--James Houck
