Welcome to the Chesapeake Heartland
Digital Archive!
From the 17th century to the present, the Chesapeake region has been the heartland of the African American experience. The images, documents, artifacts, and recordings within this digital archive open windows into that rich heritage. They present the history, culture, and memories of one Black community — Kent County, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay — whose four-century heritage reflects a larger American story. Shared, curated, and interpreted by community members as well as scholars, this collection is neither static nor complete. We invite everyone to contribute relevant materials, knowledge, and expertise to this ever-growing project. As you explore its contents, please sign up as a user. This will let you share with future generations any information you might have about the materials; combine artifacts into presentations and teaching materials; and download images for non-commercial, educational purposes.
