March Conversation on Race explores history, memory, and Frederick Douglass’ Talbot County legacy

Talbot Family Network will host its March Conversations on Race program, titled “Dialogue on Race Through History: Legacy, Landscape, and the Lives We Remember,” on Monday, March 23, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum at 215 N. Talbot St., St. Michaels, Md. A light dinner and refreshments will be provided.

This month’s conversation will explore the region’s history through the lens of Frederick Douglass and the broader landscape of enslavement that shaped Talbot County. While Douglass’ life story is extraordinary, his experiences offer a powerful window into the realities faced by many people who lived and labored in the region, including countless individuals whose names and stories were never recorded.

The session will also connect to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s exhibition Bear Me Into Freedom: The Talbot County of Frederick Douglass, which examines Douglass’ early life on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and the historical landscape that influenced his journey. Opened this month, Bear Me Into Freedom is inspired by local photographer and historian Jeff McGuiness’ book of the same name.

Frederick Douglass’ story begins here in Talbot County, and it provides an opportunity to reflect not only on his remarkable life but also on the broader history of this place,” said Talbot Family Network Executive Director  Nancy Andrew. “These conversations help our community explore how the past continues to shape our understanding of identity, belonging, and shared responsibility today.

Participants will consider how communities remember history, whose stories are preserved, whose are lost, and what it means to live alongside that legacy today. The discussion is designed to encourage thoughtful dialogue and reflect on the connections between local history and present-day community life.

History is not just something we study in textbooks. It lives in the places around us and in the stories we choose to remember,” said Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Vice President, Learning & Innovation Jill Ferris. “Frederick Douglass’ experiences here on the Eastern Shore help illuminate a larger story about the people and landscapes that shaped his life, and the many voices that remain part of that history.

The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required, and seating is limited. Registration is available at bit.ly/march26convo.

The Conversations on Race series is held monthly from September through May, typically on the last Monday of each month. Each session is designed to stand alone while contributing to an ongoing community dialogue about race, equity, and inclusion. Partners for the 2025–26 series include ShoreRivers, Shore Lit, Talbot County Free Library, and additional community organizations.

Talbot Family Network serves as Talbot County’s Local Management Board, established by the state of Maryland to improve coordination of services for children and families. The organization identifies local priorities, directs resources, and promotes collaboration among agencies and community partners. More information is available at www.healthytalbot.org/about/talbot-family-network.

More about the exhibit is at www.cbmm.org/bear-me-into-freedom/.