War of 1812 Commemorative Weekend

Ft. McHenry Fife and Drum Corp

The British capture our hero, John ONeill!

British formation

Setting up the battery

Take that, Brits!

Matilda O'Neill (played by Laurel Yau) telling her story

The British encampment on the Keeper's House grounds

 

Fireworks by the lighthouse!

 

The British once again invaded Havre de Grace! 

May 3, 4 and 5, 2013

It was a great weekend throughout the city and things were busy here at the Lighthouse and Keeper's House!
From cannons firing to concerts and fireworks, the Lighthouse presided over it all.
Perhaps the British will come again next year!

Photos by Helen Cayer

Havre de Grace Heritage Museums' War of 1812 grant completed

Ft. McHenry Fife and Drum Corp

Mayor Wayne Doughtery presenting Jim Dryden and Bethany Baker with a commemorative plaque

Travelling trunk items on display

The War of 1812 grant has come to a close.  A reception held on January 31 at the Maritime Museum honored all of the participants.  The Friends of Concord Point were presented with a lovely plaque by the Mayor.  Thanks to everyone for all of the hard work on the grant!

Aspects of the grant include War of 1812 displays at all of the museums.  There is a town model on display with interpretation at the Visitor's Center and two travelling trunks are available for check-out to use in classrooms and with special groups.

The deliverables will also be a part of the anniversary events on May 3-5, 2013.  Plan to join us in the festivities!

For more information about the trunks, contact us at 410-939-3213!

Cannon Returned

After more than a year of rehabilitation at the Maryland Conservation Lab, the War of 1812 cannon has been returned to Concord Point!  We are excited to have it back, especially with the burning of Havre de Grace Bicentennial next May 3.  The cannon marks the spot where John O'Neill singlehandedly fired on the British during their attack.  John O'Neill was our first light keeper, in part because of his heroics that day.

Come take your photo with the cannon today! Link to article and video on The Patch here.

Changes

Posts without rails.

Stacking the rails.

He has to cut every rail by hand!

We are beginning to make some changes to the lighthouse and keeper's house grounds.  The house has been restored to the 1880's time period and now we are ready to restore the grounds as well.  One of the first things to go is a fence installed around the lighthouse probably in the 1970's.  With concrete posts and pipe railings, it doesn't really convey the historic feel that we want.  So, out with the fence and hopefully, in with a more appropriate split rail fence painted white.  We have images of the lighthouse from the late 1800's with this type of fence so it will be a wonderful addition to the property.  We would also like to add wooden boardwalks to the keeper's house grounds.  These are historically accurate as well and were desperately needed during those years because the property flooded frequently and the family living here had to be able to get the privy located some feet from the house!

 More updates to come as we proceed.