CAMBRIDGE — In preparation for the Smithsonian Institution’s Water/Ways exhibit, which will open this fall at the Dorchester Center for the Arts, exhibit planners are developing a companion exhibit that showcases Dorchester’s own water stories.

Photographer Jill Jasuta is working with the Water/Ways Steering Committee to document Dorchester County’s water stories in photographs and video. Recent recording sessions included Angela Crenshaw, who discussed the importance of waterways and wharves for the Underground Railroad (as sources of information, avenues of escape, community, etc.) and Jim Brighton, who will be featured in the section about boat building traditions. You will be able to watch the videos with both interviews – and many others – at the exhibit when it opens on Oct. 17.

Cambridge Main Street has begun planning with partner organizations and stakeholders for Water/Ways, the traveling Smithsonian Institution exhibit, which will come to the Dorchester Center for the Arts in Cambridge from Oct. 19 – Nov. 30, 2019.
From above, Earth appears as a water planet with more than 71 percent of its surface covered with this vital resource for life.

Water impacts climate, agriculture, transportation, industry and more. It inspires art and music. The Water/Ways traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program examines water as an environmental necessity and an important cultural element.

Water/Ways explores water’s effect on the landscape, settlement and migration, and its impact on culture and spirituality. It looks at how political and economic planning have long been affected by access to water and control of water resources.

Local planning is underway
Dorchester County has received a Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Grant to develop a companion exhibit that focuses on the county’s unique water story. Partner organizations throughout the county also will be hosting special events, programming, exhibits and activities before, during and after the Smithsonian exhibit.

A Steering Committee has organized and is working with six subcommittees that include fundraising, communications, logistics, programming, local hosting and local exhibit planning.

Learn More
Visit the following websites to read more about the exhibit:
•Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service – Water/Ways
•Maryland Humanities Museum on Main Street – Water/Ways
Volunteer!
Join one of the committees!
Do you want to learn more about the exhibit and related programming? Contact one of the Steering Committee members:
• Steering Committee Chair: Cheryl Hannan, cherylhannan@yahoo.com
• Programming: Katie Clendaniel, katie@downtowncambridge.org
• Communications & Marketing: Julie Gilberto-Brady, julie@visitdorchester.org
• Finance & Fundraising: Amanda Fenstermaker, amanda@visitdorchester.org
• Logistics: Bill Christopher, bill@dorchesterchamber.org
• Local Host: Ruth Clendaniel, rclendaniel@atlanticbb.net
• Stephyn Butcher, stephynb@gmail.com
• Tina Johnson, tjohnson@dorchesterarts.org
Water/Ways Partners
Cambridge Main Street
Dorchester Center for the Arts
Dorchester County Department of Tourism
Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area

Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Choptank River Lighthouse
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Cambridge Yacht Club
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center
Richardson Maritime Museum
Main Street Gallery
Blackwater Adventures
Dorchester Skipjack Committee
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Horn Point Laboratory
Chesapeake College
Shore Rivers
Dorchester County Historical Society