Anna Ella Carroll

CAMBRIDGE — Few American counties can claim three legendary historic women as part of their heritage. Dorchester County can. Two were born in the county and one lived in it.  These one-time area residents included: Abraham Lincoln advisor Anna Ella Carroll; sharpshooter Annie Oakley; and Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman.

The Friends of Anna Ella Carroll, a group formed in 2010 to celebrate Ms. Carroll’s contributions to ending the Civil War, will offer the last in a five year series of annual events. The Friends group will conclude its role in the Sesquicentennial observances of the end of the Civil War on Aug. 29 by commemorating Ms. Carroll’s 200th birth anniversary in 1815; Ms. Oakley’s 105th Aug. 13, 1860 birth anniversary; and the Dec. 2014 U.S. National Park Service dedication of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Historic Park area, the first U.S. park named after a woman.

This year the Dorchester County Historical Society joins the Friends of Anna Ella Carroll in paying tribute to the three historical figures that played such prominent roles in the county. A series of events is slated for Aug. 29 beginning at 1 p.m. with a memorial wreath-laying at Ms. Carroll’s gravesite at Old Trinity Episcopal Church, near Church Creek.

“Lost River,” a movie produced by Arizona historian Bruce Bridegroom premiered in August 2010 at the Cambridge Hyatt to a crowd of 1,200. It is slated for showing from 4–6 p.m. in the main museum/office building of the Historical Society, at 902 La Grange Ave. in Cambridge.

At 7 p.m. guests can cool off at an ice cream social and Anna Ella Carroll birthday cake-cutting. Abolition tea cakes, based on an 1860 recipe, will be served in honor of Harriet Tubman. Definitive biographer of Anna Ella Carroll and Civil War historian C. Kay Larson will speak for a few minutes at 7 p.m.

During the break between the film and the Social, three rose bushes planted to honor the three women will be dedicated. Guests can also view Annie Oakley’s pony cart, housed in the Society’s 18th century stable.

The “Three Dorchester Ladies” events are open to the general public. Space, seating, and refreshments will be available on a first-come-first-served basis. A small fee is anticipated for the Ice Cream Social but all other events are free of charge.

Check the webpage of “Friends of Anna Ella Carroll” at www.friendsofannaellacarroll.rog for updates prior to Aug. 29.