Nanticoke River Jamboree
As a designated Heritage Area in Dorchester County, Maryland, the volunteers at Handsell were pleased to announce:
The Nanticoke River Jamboree at Handsell
Saturday, October 14, 2022
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
We are signing up exhibitors, so come back for updates. If you are interested in participating, please contact us at restorehandsell@gmail.com
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!
Stay tuned for the 2023 Poster and mailing postcard.
For a Complete List of Exhibitors for 2022 to print – Click below
ExhibitorsLIST-PDF2022
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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 2022 we have an exciting schedule planned:
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In 2022 we had several amazing living history interpreters!! come back this summer for an update on the 2023 event.
Janice Green
Janice Curtis Greene is an accomplished storyteller, an American Griot. She has been telling African, African American and Multicultural stories for over 25 years. She is the President and Life Member of the National Association of Black Storytellers (NABS) and Life Member and Past President of the Griots’ Circle of Maryland, Inc. On October 8, Ms. Green joins us interpreting Dorchester’s own Harriet Tubman and talks of the escape of Tilley by steamboat on the Nanticoke River.
Jerome Bias, Plantation Cook
Returning in 2022 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. In 2022, Mr. Bias will be assisted by Janice Canaday, an interpreter coming from Colonial Williamsburg.
Marvin-Alonzo Greer
Mr. Greer, the lead Historic Interpreter for the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission is joining the Handsell group for the second time this year. Mr. Greer’s program is called Bound for Freedom: Stories and Songs of Black Liberation. He will discuss with the public how enslaved people used songs and stories to teach resistance. These stories and songs of resistance inspired thousands in their fight for freedom in the age of slavery.
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The Chesapeake Independent Blues Living History Interpreters are returning to teach ius about Revolutionary time period and attacks that occurred along the Nanticoke River!
Chesapeake Independent Blues Militia returning to the 2021 Jamboree, this year as Revolutionary soldiers (pictured here in 1812 dress).
Returning to the Jamboree again in 2022
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.
Returning in 2022 : Drew Shuptar – Rayvis 17th c. Native Interpreter, Pocomoke Descendant from Connecticut.
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.
and much much more!
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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Nanticoke River Jamboree 
Looking forward to this event. I nearly cried when I went to training session on Saturday and actually saw longhouse laid out and markers in the ground. It has been a long time coming. I really want to help as much as I can to make this happen. The Nanticoke story needs to be told. Handsell is a unique place where three stories can be told side by side.
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