REGISTER HERE

Talbot Family Network’s Conversations on Race series continues on Monday, October 27, with an exploration of the Talbot Historical Society’s United States Colored Troops: With Valor and Honor exhibition, followed by discussion and a shared meal.

Participants in the free event will be invited to explore the exhibition between 5 and 6:00 p.m., with a museum docent available to answer any questions.

Guests will then gather at the Talbot County Free Library beginning at 6:00 p.m. for dialogue, a light meal, and refreshments.

The With Valor and Honor exhibition highlights the sacrifices and contributions of local men whose courage and perseverance helped reshape American history as part of the United States Colored Troops (USCT).

Developed in collaboration with descendants, local organizations, and historians, the exhibit tells the story of the United States Colored Troops from Talbot County who served in the Civil War after the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. This order allowed both free and enslaved Black men to join the Union Army and Navy.

Of the 180,000 Black men who served, 8,718 were from Maryland, and more than 600 were from Talbot County. Their enlistment was significantly influenced by Frederick Douglass, the Talbot County-born abolitionist and orator who strongly advocated for Black participation in the war.

At 6:00 p.m., participants will gather in the Easton Meeting Room of the Talbot County Free Library for a light meal and refreshments, followed by a facilitated conversation about the relevance of this historical exploration to our community and lives today.

Nancy Andrew, executive director of the Talbot Family Network, said the Conversations on Race program is designed to create meaningful community connections through shared learning.

This exhibition offers an opportunity not just to reflect on the contributions of these men, but to consider how their legacy continues to shape Talbot County today,” Andrew said. “By engaging in dialogue after the tour, we invite participants to connect history to present-day experiences and aspirations.

Peggy Morey, executive director of the Talbot Historical Society, hopes program participants will walk away with a more profound sense of appreciation for the stories told in With Valor and Honor.

These men showed extraordinary courage in answering the call to serve, often under impossible conditions,” Morey said. “Their contributions are too often overlooked, and we are proud to honor their memory here in their own community.

The free event has limited participation, and advanced registration is required at  bit.ly/oct27convo.

The Conversations on Race Series is free and open to the public, taking place monthly from September through May, typically on the last Monday of each month. Other 2025-26 Conversations on Race partners include the Water’s Edge Museum, Shore Lit, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and more.

The Talbot Family Network serves as Talbot County’s Local Management Board and was established by the state of Maryland to change the way services are provided to children and families. TFN identifies priorities and targets resources for the jurisdiction’s communities while coordinating child and family services and administering state resources. Local Management Boards improve coordination across state agencies and empower local stakeholders to help drive local priorities.

READ MORE: United States Colored Troops History, African American Civil War Memorial Museum