Nanticoke River Jamboree
As a designated Heritage Area in Dorchester County, Maryland, the volunteers at Handsell were pleased to join in the celebration of the county’s 350th Anniversary in 2019. COVID 19 through us all off balance as we cancelled all events in 2020. Now as we focus on the continued restoration of the brick house at Handsell, we look forward to a time when we are all safe, healthy and ready to get back to normal. While we may not see you until spring or summer of 2021, we invite you to explore these pages to learn about our event and participating or attending next October.
The Preservation of Handsell and our three century historic interpretation period gives us a wide range for interpreting the history of Handsell from the Native People to the African American enslaved and sharecroppers and including colonial settlement. Through historic craftspeople, docents in period dress, open hearth cooking demonstration by African American interpreters , Native life skills and the history of the Eastern Shore waterways, visitors can immerse themselves in over 350 years of history.
Please support out Sponsors!
Thank you to Shane Walker of WBOC Radio 106.3 Interview to Promote the Jamboree! LISTEN NOW
For a Complete List of Exhibitors for 2019 Click HERE
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Every year at this all-day family-friendly event, you can learn from and be entertained by our outstanding Living History Performers. In 2019 we have an exciting schedule planned:
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This year we have several amazing living history interpreters!!
Jerome Bias, Plantation Cook
Returning in 2019 in the restored Handsell Kitchen: Jerome Bias, a living history interpreter portraying an enslaved cook. Mr. Bias will discuss how African traditions and food preparation influenced early American cooking and talk about the life of enslaved people.
The Chronicles of Adam
Special Presentations at Handsell at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday October 12
Dontavius Williams is a historical interpreter who travels across various states teaching people about America’s history involving slavery. Don works as a special needs educator at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, SC, but also works part time as a server for Sonny’s BBQ in Rock Hill. He has a passion for teaching and utilizes his interpersonal skills from his jobs to communicate his historical knowledge to everyone he is around.
Don has always felt a strong connection with history, specifically the hardships faced by African American slaves before the American Civil War. This interest sparked an idea in Don and led him to create The Chronicles of Adam in order to enlighten others about their own history. When Don travels to different cities, he takes on the persona of Adam, a slave from the time period, and displays the lifestyle of slaves for both small and large events. Don has been a part of several large events since the creation of The Chronicles of Adam in 2014. His lessons include cooking styles, fun pastimes, and the living conditions which people like Adam would have experienced in their lifetimes. Though Adam is based on a real person, the overall teachings Don gives are from a combined history of male and female slaves from the Civil War era. Don strives to give an overall message of positivism and the opportunity to learn from American history, bringing awareness to the taboo topic in today’s society.
“Ned Hector” presented by Noah Lewis
Edward Hector was an African American soldier who served in the Revolutionary War. He served as a teamster (a wagon driver) and a bombardier (part of an artillery crew) with the state militia called Proctor’s Third Pennsylvania Artillery, which by the end of 1777 became the Fourth Continental Artillery. The known battles he participated in are the Battle of Brandywine (September 11, 1777) and Germantown (October 4, 1777). In the Battle of Brandywine he disregarded his orders to abandon everything and retreat. He is remembered for replying to the orders, “The enemy shall not have my team; I will save my horses and myself!”
Paul Gasparo, Leather and Horn Wares and MANY MANY more craftspeople!
Paul Gasparo demonstrates over an open fire and has created lead dice for GAMES!
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A Special Exhibit in the Handsell Parlors of model Chesapeake Boats, reminding us that “Water Moves Us” here in Dorchester County!
Returning to the Jamboree again in 2019
Representatives from the Pocomoke Indian Nation and other tribal groups from the Eastern Shore Longhouse at Handsell. Come meet the men who constructed this amazing native lodge and hear about the methods used to build it. Walk through this full-size native dwelling house–the children MUST see this!
Chicone Village pictured Summer 2015
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Meet Chief Norris Howard from the Pocomoke Indian Nation and his family. Hear the story of the Native People of DelMarVa.
Chief Howard discusses history of the Native People with a Radio reporter.
NEW THIS YEAR: Drew Shuptar – Rayvis 17th c. Native Interpreter, Pocomoke Descendant
Come see the preserved Handsell Kitchen at the Jamboree! Meet Shirley Jackson, descendant of Charles Jackson who was born a slave in 1814 near Vienna. Also “Voices of the Indiantown”, with Audio and Visual interviews displayed on a computer of descendants of slaves and sharecroppers of the Indiantown area. See the restored Cooking fireplace, floor and interpretive signage.
Shirley Jackson re enacting one of her ancestors.
*** Living History and Historic Craftsmen! For a complete listing of Exhibitors go to Schedule of Events
and much much more!
*** Food will be supplied by Lil Bitta Bull, a truck full of Eastern Shore favorite barbeque. Have a bite to eat between visits to all our living history presentations.
Admission of $5 per person with Children under 12 FREE helps defray our costs and bring this great event to Dorchester County!
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