CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

P.O. Box 97 - 14200 Solomons Island Road

Solomons, MD 20688

Traci Cimini - 410-326-2042 x62

Traci.Cimini@calvertcountymd.gov

CMM-PR-17-58

October 10, 2017

For Immediate Release ~ Also include in community calendars

A DAY AT CHESAPEAKE BEACH PARK, 1946 to 1972

Did you know that the Chesapeake Beach Amusement Park operated in Calvert County from 1946 to 1972? Want to learn about fun to be had back in the day? Joan Kilmon, who grew up in Chesapeake Beach, will present “A Day at Chesapeake Beach Park, 1946 to 1972” on Thursday, October 19 from 7 – 8 p.m. at the Calvert Marine Museum. The lecture is part of the At the Water’s Edge Lecture Series sponsored by Bayside History Museum, Calvert Library, Calvert Marine Museum and the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum.

Joan Kilmon has been the Branch Manager of Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch for 25 years. She has served on the Friends of the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum Board of Directors since 1982. Kilmon enjoys developing and presenting programs of local history and currently conducts the program Calvert Conversations at the Twin Beaches Branch. Not only has she spoken on the history of the Amusement Park, but also on vintage swimwear.

In the late 19th century, Calvert County saw a major transformation in the use of local waters and shoreline – from a place of work to a place of play. These years witnessed a decline in the number of people making a living on the water and a rapid growth in recreational boating. Fishing, boating, and family amusements became popular with a burgeoning middle class. Steamboats, trains from the Chesapeake Beach Railway, and improved roads for automobiles brought destination recreation on the bay and along Calvert’s waterways within reach for an ever-increasing number of visitors.

At the Water’s Edge lecture series highlights how people enjoyed leisure time on the Chesapeake Bay from 1890 through the 1970’s. Lectures are being held across Calvert County from the north to the south through April 2018. For more details, visit http://www.calvertmarinemuseum.com/446/At-The-Waters-Edge-Lecture-Series.

Photos courtesy of Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum collection

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The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $9.00 for adults, $7.00 for seniors, military with valid I.D. and AAA members, and $4.00 for children ages 5 - 12; children under 5 and museum members are always admitted free. For more information about the museum, upcoming events, or membership, visit the website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call 410-326-2042. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Google+, Instagram and Pinterest.