HISTORY
In the Fall of 2023 the Calvert County Historical Society gave a free public lecture on the Maryland 400 and their role in the Battle of Brooklyn. A local teacher at Huntingtown High School attended this lecture and was astounded at the lack of knowledge fellow Marylanders had regarding the legacy of the Maryland 400 and the state motto of "The Old Line State". This lack of knowledge regarding a shared Maryland History combined with a call to action locally to prepare for our nation's semi-quincentennial became the nucleus for the HHS Calvert/Maryland 250 Club.
Beginning our work in 2023 with approximately 100 interested students, the club has morphed over time into a group of about 20 students led by a small group of upper classmen who have taken a leadership role and led the group to complete the exhibits and lectures seen on this very website. Furthermore these students have built a number of relationships with local professionals to become a leading voice of research in an area that too many Maryland students are unfamiliar.
Production
Besides the amazing exhibits and talks this group has completed and continues to produce, there is a special outcome that comes from a club like this and that is true learning for the sake of loving learning. These students have found a passion and desire to not only learn about the role Maryland and specific Marylanders played in the American Revolution, but they also want to teach others in our state all about that amazing history. The professional relationships they have created from this unique work will benefit them in life, but one particular connection has also opened up a once in a lifetime opportunity for these students.
Debunking a Myth
One of the relationships the students have used for the sake of teaching others is one with a researcher named Owen Lourie at the Maryland State Archives. Mr. Lourie is perhaps the leading expert on the Maryland 400 and the role they played in the Battle of Brooklyn. Mr. Lourie actually has a book being published in June of 2026 on the topic. The reason this is important to us is because Mr. Lourie has been able to not only share the best research available on this topic for us to use in our presentations, but he is uncovering that much of the information that has been shared on the topic for well over 100 years has been incorrect. Our students are fascinated by the uncovering of new information and individual stories and want to be as large a part of that dissemination as possible this milestone year.
Our Goal
The students would like to culminate all their hard work over the past few years with a research trip to where the story of the Maryland 400 all took place, Brooklyn New York. After speaking with organizations in Brooklyn the students have the following opportunity on April 13 and 14th of this year:
The students have been invited to the Brooklyn Historical Society at the Brooklyn Public Library on the afternoon of April 13th, 2026 to analyze their collection of artifacts from the Battle of Brooklyn and to document for future exhibits and lectures we will be doing in Calvert County in 2026.
On April 14th, 2026 they have been invited to participate in a 4 hour walking tour (the only walking tour of the Battle of Brooklyn) with a leading local expert who is also the director of education at the Old Stone House (Historical Site and Museum in Brooklyn from the Battle itself). Students would like to become experts of this battle so they can continue to tell the story in an accurate and knowledgeable way to Marylanders and they can take pride in knowing what "The Old Line" state means to our country.
The Donations
Unfortunately, to make these opportunities a reality, we need funding for this trip, with the majority of the cost being transportation and lodging. We have applied for various grants and although we have received some minimal funding, we do not have enough to meet our goal of $5,186.00. This price covers the cost of transportation to Brooklyn via the least expensive way possible, Amtrak and a mini bus to get us into Brooklyn. This also covers one night stay for 16 people at the Holiday Inn Express in Brooklyn. In order to meet the goal and make this goal come true for these hardworking students, we are asking people to donate through the GoFundMe account below
In an effort to be fully transparent the costs associated with the trip are below:
Service
Cost
Rationale
8 Rooms at Holiday Inn Express the evening of April 10-April 11 2026
$2679.20
Our trip is hundreds of miles away and in order to take advantage of the opportunities afforded to us we need to stay overnight
Travel to New York from Washington DC and Back via Amtrack for 16 people
$907.20
Confirmation number E3FC84
This is the cheapest and most efficient way to get this group where we need to be on time.
20 person mini bus Shuttle from Penn Station Manhattan to Brooklyn on 4/10 and back on 4/11
$1350.00
The only place Amtrak will take us in New York is Penn Station Manhattan and the safest way to transport students this way.
4 Hour Walking Tour of the Battle of Brooklyn
$250.00
This is the only walking tour of this battle in all of New York and ties completely to what my students are trying to uncover for their lectures and exhibits in Maryland
TOTAL: 5,186.40
We Thank you in Advance for your Generosity and Support for Lifelong Learning!