The Talbot Historical Society, in partnership with the Talbot County Free Library, is pleased to present Easton-based music group Ampersand for its July 17, 2024 “Date with History” lecture series. Ampersand delights in sharing early American traditional music with a modern audience, drawing connections between colonial sensibilities and current-day topics and interests.

Called the “Swiss army knife of folk music,” this group brings a variety of stringed instruments, including guitar, mandolin, banjo, cello, and hammered dulcimer, as well as penny whistles and percussion to underscore their rich vocal harmonies on parlor music from the 1700s and 1800s.

One of the band’s founders, Beth Lawton, notes that many songs reflect a modern sensibility even when they use old-fashioned language.  For example, “Bonnie Portmore” is an 18th-century love song to a piece of property similar to a modern-day money pit.   “Rye Whiskey” is a perfect lullaby for easing young ones to sleep – even as the song tells of diving into a river of whiskey and drinking “ten thousand bottles.”  With voice, various percussion instruments, newly-adopted cello, and penny whistles, multi-instrumentalist Topher Lawton focuses on even earlier tunes and songs, such as the lively “Bear Dance” (15th century) and the title song of the new CD, “Love Will Find Out the Way.”

This is presented by the Talbot Historical Society in partnership with the Talbot County Free Library and will take place at the library, 100 W. Dover St., Easton, MD 21601. The lecture is free to the public, but reservations are required. Please contact the Talbot Historical Society at 410-822-0773 or email [email protected]. The program will begin at 1 p.m. on July 17^th.

If you have any questions or wish to sign-up, please contact the Talbot Historical Society at 410-822-0773 or email [email protected] Hours: Wednesday – Saturday 10 am – 3 pm.

This photographic exhibit is about the people of Talbot County – Easton, Oxford, St. Michaels Trappe and places in between.   It is about all of us and our families; all ethnicities, all ages, all affiliations, all religions, all professions and all jobs. It is a project of diversity and the extraordinary collective of people who live in and contribute to our county.

Lingeman has created a snapshot of interesting people in Talbot County that will be featured in his new book and exhibit entitled “Talbot People” that opened in mid-January at the Talbot Historical Society. Lingeman’s passion for capturing the lives of locals began a few years ago when he began photographing local Hispanic families for a project through the Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center. For over two years, Lingeman has photographed 200 plus individuals and families for his “Talbot People” project. “I have fallen in love with everyone I have photographed,” states Lingeman. “My subjects are families, artists, politicians, physicians, local business people, and some of Talbot County’s most iconic and interesting figures. It’s been a lot of fun and I am excited to share these black and white images which reflect the diversity of our community with others through the book and exhibit.”

Steve’s photographs of 49 of these people will be exhibited in two phases; 25 will be shown from now through the first of March and the remaining 24 from mid-March through the first of May. Mr. Lingeman’s book will be available for sale throughout the exhibit.  The show is located in the Denton Extended Museum and Gallery located at 25 S. Washington Street in Easton, Maryland and our hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10am– 3pm.