Burgess Rural Living Center opens in Princess Anne

Posted 4/26/22

PRINCESS ANNE — The ribbon cutting to formally open the Burgess Rural Living Center was “a happy day” and the director of Somerset County Department of Recreation, Parks & …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already a member? Log in to continue.   Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Burgess Rural Living Center opens in Princess Anne

Posted

PRINCESS ANNE — The ribbon cutting to formally open the Burgess Rural Living Center was “a happy day” and the director of Somerset County Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism called it a fulfillment of a promise to the family of the late Lawrence and Gladys Burgess that some of the collection they amassed during their golden years would continue to be exhibited and educate future generations about a time gone by.

The Burgesses in 1976 converted a three-story chicken house to become the Burgess Early Americana Museum and through the years of attending auctions and sales it contained some 20,000 items.

It was where buses of school children would go to learn about things that were commonplace to their grandparents and great-grandparents, while visitors heading to Smith Island would stop in for a peak into the past.

Department Director Clint Sterling said Mr. Burgess was “a special individual” and his memory and accomplishments “will live here” in this new location attached to the county visitor center.

Former Tourism Director Julie Simms said she remembers Mr. Burgess telling her to “keep up” as they went through the museum, explaining to her about each item, what it was used for and where it came from.

This project, she said, “kept us all on our toes,” retiring from county service at the end of 2020 as the plan to proceed with construction of a new building was progressing.

Along the way thousands of items were inventoried, with some permanently loaned to historical associations, sold, or saved for the new center.

Construction funds came through a $500,000 earmark from Gov. Larry Hogan’s FY20 budget with R.D. Meredith the general contractor. Interior exhibits were constructed by W.M. Remodeling and Dr. Eric Jodlbauer of Elk Creek Preservation Services consulted on selecting the best pieces to fill this mini-museum.

“I have been involved in this project for close to a decade,” said Dr. Jodlbauer. “Mr. Burgess collected anything and everything from 1850 to 1950 and beyond, with really no distinction in between. It was my job to identify which items from his collection realistically interpret the history, lifestyle, culture, and economy of Somerset County.”

The three major displays showcase a blacksmith shop, general store and farmhouse. There are some items held back to rotate the collection, which can be seen without an admission charge.
“We’re overwhelmed,” said Starr White, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Burgess.

She said her father was a native of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania, while her mother was born into the Hudson family which gives the crossroads where she grew up between Westover and Marion its name.

After their marriage they lived in Philadelphia for nine years, and her father graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from the former Drexel Institute of Technology. Mrs. White said that’s why he could repair the broken things he brought home.

“The family lovingly called it junk,” she said, but it all went into the museum. She said they wanted children to know what life was like 100 years ago, and when they arrived to visit, “he was in his glory” telling them about what things were and how they worked.

Mrs. White said while her dad “was thrilled about the museum” she wasn’t sure her mother always felt the same way. The collecting “probably started as a hobby” but became “their passion.”
The date of the center’s opening on April 20 was also significant, Mrs. White said, because it fell between her father’s death on Easter Sunday in 1999 and his birth on April 27, 1906. Mrs. Burgess died two years later.

On behalf of the family Mrs. White received a Governor’s Citation from Grayson Middleton, constituent services representative. On behalf of the county, Commissioner Randy Laird expressed his thanks to everyone who played a role in the development of this new museum, calling it a tribute to the Burgess family.

This will make Somerset County “more of a destination,” said Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, a place where its story can be shared with residents and visitors alike.

Following the ribbon cutting led by Mrs. White and her sister June Bell the officials and invited guests moved into the new facility and enjoyed food and refreshments.

The center is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., call 410-651-2968 for details. Still to come is an electronic kiosk which is being funded by the American Legion Stanley Cochrane Post 16.

Members and subscribers make this story possible.
You can help support non-partisan, community journalism.

x
X