Maryland Comptroller Tours The Hill
More exciting details about this historic African American neighborhood in this article!
Tag Archives: The Hill
News about The Hill in Easton
The Asbury AME church dominates the view down South Lane in The Hill neighborhood in Easton.
There’s beginning to be a lot of buzz about The Hill, perhaps the oldest established African-American neighborhood in the country. Read three recent articles in the Star Democrat at the links below:
More details from ‘The Hill’ come to light
More digs planned for ‘The Hill’
What’s more, the neighborhood’s two historic African-American churches, both of which hosted speeches by Frederick Douglass
when he visited Easton, are slated to receive preservation funds in Governor Martin O’Malley’s budget this year.
If you are interested in learning more about The Hill, donating towards the preservation and archaeological work, or getting involved as a volunteer, please visit the Historic Easton web site or send us an email!
“Uncovering Our Past” — An Update on The Hill
For those interested in learning the latest on the explorations and research into The Hill neighborhood in Easton, please plan to join us on Saturday, November 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
We believe “The Hill” is the oldest African American neighborhood in the country, predating what is thought of as the oldest documented African American neighborhood: “Treme” located in New Orleans, LA.
“Uncovering Our Past” will take place at the Talbot County Senior Center (400 Brookletts Place) and will provide a debriefing on the on-going documentation efforts regarding “The Hill” and a discussion on the role of archeology and historic preservation. Professor Dale Glenwood Green of Morgan State University School of Architecture and Planning and Dr. Mark Leone of the University of Maryland College Park Department of Anthropology will highlight a panel discussion followed by a open session for sharing and collecting stories of the neighborhood history. Light refreshments will be available.
For more information on this project, please see:
The Hill: Amazing Tales and Discoveries
Archaeological Dig on The Hill in Easton
Help Preserve an Historic African American Neighborhood: The Hill in Easton, Md.
Archaeological Dig on The Hill in Easton
Photos below are from the archaeological dig going on at the “Buffalo Soldier’s House” in The Hill area of Easton, Md. (323 South Street). Visitors are welcome to stop by this upcoming week, Monday thru Friday, between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., to observe the dig.
The house (built c. 1880) belonged to relatives of William Gardner, a Buffalo Soldier. The archaeological dig is part of a process to help save the house and also is part of a wider investigation of the history of the entire neighborhood.
(click on the photos below for larger versions)
UMD students examine a button they found during the excavation.
Excavating in the backyard of the house.
Combing through the excavated rubble and dirt.
Excavating an area thought to be part of an alley that once separated the house from another home next door that has since been demolished. The students have found coins, marbles and pieces of metals and plastic so far.
Photos of the house itself:
323 South Street
The rear of the house.
Portion of the side porch. Many of the windows and doors are gone and covered with plywood painted to resemble the real thing so the home looks nicer.
View of a hole in the ceiling of the front porch reveals older trim and paint.
Layers of siding reveal themselves.
