Heritage awardees to be recognized at public reception

A lifelong preservation advocate dedicated to preserving a historic church and cemetery with ties to Harriet Tubman, an organization that showcases Dorchester County’s diverse cultures, an event celebrating the local men who served in the U.S. Colored Troops, and a volunteer whose efforts help ensure that maritime history is appreciated by new generations – all will be honored for their roles in helping to preserve and promote Dorchester County’s culture during the Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area Awards reception.
 
The event, which will take place at 5 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the Dorchester Center for the Arts in Cambridge, is open to the public and will include a presentation on the Heritage Area’s achievements over the past year, as well as displays from the local heritage partners who have received mini-grants and Maryland Heritage Areas funding to support their own projects.
 
The 2024 winners, who were nominated by members of the community and chosen by the Management Board of the Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area, are:
 
Individual Achievement: Renna McKinney
This prestigious award recognizes a person for her contributions to the heritage community by interpreting, preserving, promoting, researching and/or supporting local history and cultural traditions.
 
As president of the Harrisville/Malone Cemetery Maintenance Fund, Renna is dedicated to restoring Malone’s Church in Madison, Maryland. Under her leadership, the Cemetery Maintenance Fund has securing MHAA and local Mini-Grant funding for work preserving the historic church, which dates to 1895. Malone’s Church recently was named part of the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

Not only does the church and cemetery have strong ties to Underground Railroad hero Harriet Tubman, McKinney’s own mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother are buried there. She enthusiastically shares these connections and the rich history of the area as a guest speaker, promoting the Cemetery Maintenance Fund’s mission to preserve the history and educate the local and surrounding communities about the African American heritage of their ancestors. She has organized open houses and celebrations at Malone’s Church, which is Stop No. 9 on the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, and she has shared her musical gifts with performances at events and programs throughout Dorchester County, most recently at the Footsteps to Freedom Program at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center in September.
 
Organizational Excellence: Groove City Black Heritage & Culture Group
This award recognizes an organization or local government entity that demonstrates sustained achievement in contributing to heritage preservation, promotion, interpretation or tourism efforts.
 
Groove City’s mission is to provide arts and culture programs and events for people of all ages in the community that inspire creative expression, increase community engagement and promote socio-economic growth. The organization also serves as a conduit to promoting and perpetuating the art, culture and history of the Pine Street District for the benefit of all residents of Cambridge and visitors to the area. The Groove City Culture Fest, which grows in scope every year, demonstrates a commitment to showcasing and promoting diverse cultures that make the Heritage Area unique, especially by expanding and including the growing Hispanic and Puerto Rican communities. By recognizing the importance of inclusivity, diversity and partnering with all segments of the community, the festival, in turn, supports heritage tourism by attracting a variety of visitors and festival goers.
 
Groove City also has expanded its outreach beyond the annual festival. This year, it began the Pine Street Commemorative Banners and Booklets Project, creating banners and booklets honoring civil rights activists and pioneering black community leaders from Cambridge who made significant contributions during the 1960s. This initiative celebrates the legacy of these trailblazers, enhances the cultural heritage, and fosters heritage tourism in the historic Pine Street.
 
Outstanding Project: Heralding Heroes – Juneteenth Celebration
This prize recognizes an exceptional project, event or activity conducted/sponsored by an organization, business, individual or local government that highlights Dorchester’s natural or cultural heritage and/or increases public awareness of its history, heritage and cultural traditions.
 
The 2024 Juneteenth Celebration featured a weekend of events that honored the U.S. Colored Troops and Buffalo Soldiers from Dorchester County. The programming included a free reception, historical presentations, the VFW MD State Honor Guard, a remembrance for the fallen troops from Dorchester, recognition of Dorchester soldiers present for the first Juneteenth, and a presentation on the life of Isaac Jackson, a Buffalo Soldier from Cambridge.
 
The event was organized by five organizations, working together to plan and sponsor the weekend of activities. The partnership included the Dorchester Center of the Arts, Groove City Black Heritage & Culture Group, Alpha Genesis Community Development Corp., Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance and Dorchester County Tourism.
 
Volunteer of the Year: Peter Barclay
Named in honor former East New Market Mayor Caroline Cline, this award honors an individual for service and contributions as a volunteer supporting local history or heritage tourism.
 
As Cambridge Yacht Club’s volunteer Sailing and Regatta Chair, Peter Barclay upholds the legacy of Dorchester’s maritime heritage, which is on public display in wide variety of regattas and races held on the Choptank River. Among those annual events are two enduring heritage races: The Admiral Bryd Regatta, named in honor of famed explorer Admiral Richard Byrd, who often visited Cambridge while procuring supplies for his expeditions and who presented the trophy in the inaugural race in 1947, and the Governor Hicks Cup Log Canoe Races, showcasing the magnificent boats of the Chesapeake Bay (many built in the 1800s or early 1900s and listed on the National Historic Registry) in a race that celebrated its 85th anniversary in 2024.
These two races – and others – organized by the Cambridge Yacht Club are made possible by a host of volunteers. Barclay has dedicated time and passion to these events and ensuring that the local history and cultural traditions continue to be preserved and appreciated. In between major events, Barclay also coordinated weekly racing and sailing programs, and he helped refurbish and repair the boats used by the CYC Junior Sail program for children, ensuring that new generations have opportunities to learn and appreciate these traditions.
 
Heritage Area Awards
The Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area awards are made possible by funding from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. This is the 20th year for the awards to be presented in Dorchester County.
 
For more information about the Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area:  visitdorchester.org/heritage-area/