Tag Archives: staycation

Staycation in QAC – Water Wheels & Hearth Fires – Student Tour

Day Tour
Queen Anne’s County boasts one of the first colonial settlements in Maryland, and the third settlement in what would be the United States. From the earliest days of settlement on Kent Island to the establishment of Queen Anne’s County and the development of towns, colonial history is evident throughout the county. These first settlements were influenced by the availability of natural resources and early transportation routes, both waterways and land routes. Mills sprung up around waterways, which provided power and transportation. Early mail routes and ports dictated the location of the first county seat, which was later moved to a more central location. Students will learn how geography and economics influenced the development of colonial Queen Anne’s County. They will explore the public and private aspects of life in colonial times.

Themes include: How the location of colonial settlements was influenced by the geography and natural resources of the region; how courthouses were the centers of political activities in the colonies; how farming was the major economic activity of colonial Queen Anne’s County; and how towns were the communication hubs for the colonies. Students will visit five of the county’s historical sites and organizations including: the Colonial Courthouse in Queenstown, the original county seat constructed in 1708; the Wye Grist Mill, first mill built in 1668; the Tucker House, the oldest original house built in Centreville in 1794; Wright’s Chance, built in the early 1700s and moved to its current location to be saved; and the Queen Anne’s County Courthouse, the oldest continuously operating court house in the state of Maryland built in 1792.

Historic Sites Consortium of Queen Anne’s County
P.O. Box 655
Centreville, MD 21617
Tel: 410-758-2502

Staycation in QAC: The Chesapeake Wine Trail

In Queen Anne’s County take the time to visit two vineyards on the Chesapeake Wine Trail; Cascia Vineyards in Stevensville and Cassinelli Winery & Vineyards in Church Hill

Cascia Vineyards is a unique family run winery located on Kent Island, on the Chesapeake Bay. We produce handcrafted premium red and white wines, as well as dessert wines, from vinifera and native varietals grown in our vineyard. Our waterfront winery and event facility provide and extraordinary opportunity to experience the best that Queen Anne’s County has to offer. Hours are by appointment only, call (410) 604-2127

Cassinelli Winery and Vineyards, positioned on 110 acres of woods and rolling, open land, is located off of Route 213 on the way to Chestertown, Maryland on the Eastern Shore. A white vinyl fence is our calling card from the road. We grow Chardonnay, Merlot, and Viognier grapes as well as hundreds of apple, peach, pear and plum trees that we hope families will soon visit to pick and enjoy! The winery is open Saturdays and Sunday, call (410) 556-6825 for specific times.

Tilmon’s Island Winery is a boutique winery, producing in small quanities, with attention to quality, and a goal of consumer enjoyment of fine Maryland wine. As Queen Anne’s County’s first winery, production began in the Fall of 2004 with grapes purchased from local vineyards in Queen Anne’s, Talbot and Caroline Counties.

From April to December the winery is open on Saturday’s or by appointment.

Call (443) 480-5021 for more information.

Staycation in QAC: Shaping History – Student Tour

Day Tour
The history of Queen Anne’s County dates back to the earliest Colonial settlements in Maryland. Settlement of the northern portion of the county began in the 1600s. Early communities grew up around transportation routes, the rivers and streams, and then roads and eventually railroads. Small towns were centers of economic and social activity and evolved over the years from thriving centers of the tobacco trade to communities boosted by the railroad boom. Students will learn how geography and economics influenced the small communities of Queen Anne’s County.

Themes include:
Why it is important to preserve history; how transportation routes influenced the development of towns in Queen Anne’s County; how small towns were self-sufficient and social centers; and how two churches that have withstood the test of time and are still in use. We will visit six of the county’s historical sites and organizations including: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, built in 1732 for 140,000 pounds of tobacco; Church Hill Theatre, originally built in 1929 as a town hall then in 1935 the building became a movie theater; Dudley’s Chapel, built in 1782 for a Methodist congregation with a segregated gallery added in 1811; Sudlersville Train Station Museum, in 1885 many goods and services were transported through the station; the Museum of Eastern Shore Life, showcases the lives of the first settlers; and the Queen Anne’s County Courthouse, the oldest continuously operating court house in the state of Maryland built in 1792.

The Historic Sites Consortium of Queen Anne’s County
P.O. Box 655
Centreville, MD 21617
Tele: 410-758-2502

Staycation in QAC: Sea Glass, Seafood and See Birds in Queen Anne’s County

Day Trip
Explore the great outdoors in Queen Anne’s County, gateway to Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Hunt for sea glass on the Chesapeake Bay beaches, eat freshly caught seafood and bird watch at the Chesapeake Environmental Center.

Begin the day at the Chesapeake Exploration Center getting oriented at the county’s visitor center and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Kent Narrows.

Visit Chesapeake Bay beaches to hunt for natures vanishing treasures; sea glass. Enjoy the thrill of finding a rare piece of sea glass with the background of the beautiful Chesapeake Bay.

After a morning of beachcombing, curb your appetite with a delicious crab feast or freshly caught seafood from local restaurants.

In the afternoon proceed to the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center located in Grasonville which features 510 acres of Maryland’s pristine wetlands. Here you will discover indigenous birds of the area and hike on their extensive preserve. Learn from ornithologists about the life cycles of birds and enjoy access to the varied habitats that are vital to the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.

Contact Information:
Queen Anne’s County Economic Development and Tourism
425 Piney Narrows Road
Chester, MD 21619
410.604.2100
htaylor@qac.org
www.discoverqueenannes.com