SOLOMONS, Md. — The Calvert Marine Museum (CMM) unveiled its latest exhibit, Women of Wallville, on Friday, April 4, spotlighting the resilience and legacy of Black women who shaped the rural Southern Maryland community of Wallville during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Inspired by the acclaimed Witnesses of Wallville project, the exhibit draws from oral histories, historical records, and archaeological findings to tell their stories.
The display highlights how these women built thriving homesteads, preserved food, and endured economic hardships, particularly during the Great Depression. Artifacts unearthed from Wallville farmsteads—canning jars, jar lid liners, and stoneware crocks—provide physical evidence of their self-sufficiency. A 1940 Library of Congress photograph from nearby Dameron in St. Mary’s County features young Delores Harris showcasing her family’s canned goods, a powerful symbol of the survival strategies that defined the era.
The Witnesses of Wallville project, a collaboration between the Wallville Steering Committee, community descendants, and experts from Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum and the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory (MAC Lab), anchors the exhibit. Their efforts earned the Mark E. Mack Community Engagement Award at the 2025 Society for Historical Archaeology conference, recognizing their dedication to preserving this history.
Wallville, a small agricultural community in Calvert County, thrived through the ingenuity of its residents. The exhibit, developed with Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, showcases how these women navigated challenges with resourcefulness. According to the Maryland Historical Trust, such rural communities relied heavily on home preservation techniques, a practice reflected in the archaeological record and oral accounts passed down through generations.
Running through September 2026, Women of Wallville invites visitors to explore a lesser-known chapter of Southern Maryland’s past. The CMM, located at 14200 Solomons Island Road, aims to connect the public with the region’s cultural and natural heritage, making this exhibit a fitting addition to its offerings.
The project’s roots trace back to the Witnesses of Wallville initiative, which began as a descendant-led effort to document the community’s history. Researchers from MAC Lab, part of Maryland’s state museum system, analyzed artifacts that revealed daily life in Wallville, while oral histories captured personal narratives. The Library of Congress photograph, credited to photographer John Collier Jr., ties the exhibit to a broader regional story of resilience during economic turmoil.
CMM officials encourage the public to visit and honor these women’s contributions. The exhibit not only preserves their legacy but also underscores the importance of community-driven historical preservation. As noted by the National Park Service, such initiatives help illuminate the diverse experiences that shaped America’s rural landscapes.
The collaboration between CMM and Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, located in St. Leonard, Md., builds on years of archaeological and historical work in the region. The exhibit’s opening marks a milestone in sharing Wallville’s story with a wider audience, offering a tangible connection to the past through its carefully curated displays.