The Waterfowl Festival was honored by the Historical Society of Talbot County with an Award of Merit for the 2009 Festival’s special Outlaw Gunner exhibit. The award took place at the Historical Society’s recent Annual Meeting.

The exhibit featured historic artifacts from the collection of the late Dr. Harry Walsh, one of the founders of the Waterfowl Festival, and its first President and Chairman of the Board.

He was also the author of “The Outlaw Gunner,” a book about the Chesapeake Bay’s market hunters, who often worked on the margins of the law. Many of the items on display were loaned by the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, to which Dr. Walsh donated much of his collection.

On hand to receive the certificate of recognition were, left to right, Kim Newcomb and Bill Millar, who were instrumental in coordinating the exhibit; Pete Lesher, Curator of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum; Judy Price, Waterfowl Festival Executive Director; and Marybee and Joe Walsh, Dr. Walsh’s wife and son.

The Historical Society’s President, Richard Tilghman, Jr., presented the award, commending the Festival for recreating the feel of the Outlaw Gunner lore.

Price expressed her appreciation to all the volunteers who spent countless hours gathering the artifacts and creating the exhibit. She thanked the Historical Society for the recognition and for its continued partnership with the Waterfowl Festival.

The 2010 Waterfowl Festival will be held in Easton November 12, 13 & 14.  For more information, to volunteer or to make a donation, contact the Waterfowl Festival office at 410-822-4567 or visit its website, www.waterfowlfestival.org.