Great Loop: Chestertown Maryland

The Chestertown Tea Party

Sometimes you stumble into situations you will remember for a long time.  Our visit to Chestertown Maryland was such an occasion.  We wanted to explore a port a bit off the normal Looper route.  So we travelled up the Chester River to visit a town founded in 1706.  In colonial times it was on the main route between Philadelphia and  Washington and located in a major tobacco growing area.  Through the revolution it was a major seaport.  After the revolution, the farmers switch to growing wheat and their farming techniques caused the river to silt in, restricting the size of ships which could call at their port.

Today, it is a town of less than 6000 people and it is the county seat of Kent County as well as the home of Washington College, founded in 1782.

What we stumbled into was the annual re-enactment of the "Chestertown Tea Party".  Local lore is that in May 1774, after the Boston Tea Party, the locals, upset with the tax on tea, held their own Tea Party in an act of defiance to King George.

Red Coats were in town to maintain law and order.

The regimental drummer boy 

The dockmaster informed us that during our visit, Memorial Day weekend, Chestertown would be celebrating its colonial heritage with a re-enactment of the legendary "tea party".  Festivities started with a fine local parade of marching bands, local clubs and service organizations as well as re-enactors in period costumes.  High Street was lined with vendors selling produce, flowers, T-shirts, crafts, food, drink, wine and beer.  The lawn areas around churches and the court house hosted colonial craft demonstrations, dance demonstrations, military drills.

In the afternoon, colonial and British re-enactors battled each other which culminated with the Colonials forcing their way onto the schooner Sultana, to throw the cargo of tea into the harbor.  The assembled citizens raised a triumphant yell as the bales of tea landed in the water.

After all that excitement, Beth and I withdrew to Casa Carmen for Tapas and wine.  This gave us a chance to discuss that rascal King George and other events of the day.

Tapas and wine flights at Casa Carmen

The Cathouse was next door to the bakery.

A docent led tour of the notable buildings

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There were many 18th century building in town as the merchants were prosperous and could afford to build masonry homes.

The British schooner Sultana was in port.

It fired its cannons in an effort to repel boarders.

The Colonials were persistent and boarded the Sultana

The tea was thrown in the harbor, and as they say, the rest is history

A celebration, complete with fireworks was held

It was a terrific display just off our bow

Good Night from Chestertown

Berthing Information

• Chestertown Marina
•  (410) 778-3616
• Marina was recently upgraded
• Clean restrooms, showers, and laundry
• Fuel Dock with Pump Out
• 30 and 50 amp electrical service

Track Log