Programs

The Chesapeake Bay: Dividing and Connecting Maryland

Maryland's most famous fence is made not of wood or stone, but water. The Chesapeake Bay, the nation's largest estuary, is a natural boundary that has historical, economic, social, political, and environmental significance for the Mid-Atlantic region.

The Bay has played a key role in the state and nation's early settlement, commerce, and military defenses. The natural bounty of the Chesapeake has given rise to a unique water-oriented culture. Historically, the Bay has either separated or connected the populace of the state's major geographical sections (the rural Eastern Shore and the western mainland with its large cities.)

Okonowicz presents a lively tour of this natural water fence that has been sailed upon, built over, tunneled under, and used, and occasionally abused, but ultimately loved by the humans that visit, live, or work upon it.

Ed Okonowicz is a regional author of twenty-three books and feature writer of more than 800 articles for newspapers and magazines. He is also a well known storyteller of folk tales, legends, myths, and contemporary stories. He was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Delaware, where he taught folklore, journalism, and communication courses.  Mr. Okonowicz has a Master of Arts in communication from the University of Delaware.