2010-02-24

Black History in Oxford, Maryland

Free Soldiers

Oxford Museum Awarded Preservation Grant

The Museum has been awarded a grant from the Maryland Preservation Society to acquire a marker identifying Oxford as the point of debarkation for slaves from Talbot and surrounding counties who served in the Union Army during the Civil War in exchange for their freedom.

While Oxford’s history as a colonial port of entry is widely known, its significance concerning the role that the area’s African American population played in the Civil War has not been broadly acknowledged. The location of the Oxford marker will be listed on the Civil War Trails’ website. As the third
official Civil War Trail Marker in Talbot County, it will be an important link for civil war historians and heritage tourists visiting the area. The other two signs are located in Trappe and in Unionville.

The Maryland Preservation Society grant provides 90% of the cost of the marker which will be placed near the ferry dock. The exact location is being determined and details of the dedication ceremony are in the planning stage.

Our gratitude to those whose inspiration, ideas, research and support helped make this possible, especially Marguerite Webster, Rev. Jay Bunting, the Town Commissioners, and the Maryland Preservation Society. If you would like to help plan the dedication event, please leave a message for us at the Museum.
(410) 226-0191.

Oxford, Maryland is a tourist attraction for Black History.
Oxford, Maryland Black History and Civil War History sourced from http://www.oxfordmuseum.org/IMAGES/Jan10Newsltr.pdf


Jan 1, 1862
Illustration shows black Union soldiers and their white officer line up for a portrait in fieldcoats outside a tent with a drummer boy as a flag flies above, 1862. (Photo by MPI/Getty Images)

Content © 2010 Getty Images. All rights reserved.


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