Eastern Shore Focus - Show # 70: Steamboat Discovery / Sturgis Museum

By WESM News / Stephen Williams

PRINCESS ANNE, MD –

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Show Information:

Show Number: 70
Guest(s):

- Brian Garrett - Executive Director, Delmarva Discovery Center
- Mike McDermott - Mayor of Pocomoke City, Maryland
- James Gatling - President of Sturgis One-Room School Museum
- Sudie Gatling - Curator of Sturgis Museum

Subject(s): Steamboat Discovery / Sturgis Museum
Original Airdate: Monday, March 30, 2009
Running Time: 29 minutes

Brief Synopsis:

In this program, we'll follow-up on a two-part series this show aired back in 2008, focusing on the Delmarva Discovery Center, in Pocomoke City, Maryland.

The Discovery Center is situated along the banks of the Pocomoke River, housed in a renovated 16,000 square-foot facility. The multi-million-dollar effort to bring the center to life was the result of years of planning and preparation by a number of community members and government officials.

The Center's primary vision is to inform and enlighten visitors of all ages, about river ecology, and the history of the Pocomoke River - including shipbuilding, trade, fishing, and local Native American culture.

The last time he was on the program, Executive Director Brian Garrett took us on a guided tour of the center, which at the time was still in the process of being completed. And one of the largest undertakings towards the completion of the Center was a large two-story replica of a steamship that was to sit enclosed inside of the very heart of the building.

On Wednesday, March 25, 2009, the project was finally completed and the replica was officially christened the Steamboat Discovery. The christening was well-attended by members and leaders of the community. And during the event, Center Director Brian Garrett was able to share his thoughts about the Steamship exhibit.

Also, in today's program, we'll explore one of Pocomoke's hidden gems, called the "Sturgis One-Room School Museum." It's the only African-American one-room school in Worcester County that still survives intact today. And it lies situated just down the street from the Delmarva Discovery Center.

As its name implies, "The Sturgis One-Room School" is a very small structure, built around the turn of the 20th century, for the sole purpose of educating area black children who had fews alternative to getting an education.

Mr. and Mrs. James and Sudie Gatling run the museum today - and were instrumental in its restoration. They invited me to talk more about the museum and its role in the community.

Additional Links & Information:

Sturgis One Room School Museum
209 Willow Street
Pocomoke City, Maryland
Phone: 410-957-1913
Website: http://pocomokeriver.org/Sturgisschool.html

Delmarva Discovery Center on the Pocomoke River
2 Market Street, Pocomoke City, MD 21851
Pocomoke, Maryland 21851
Phone: 410-957-9933
Email: info@delmarvadiscoverycenter.org
Website: http://delmarvadiscoverycenter.org/

Eastern Shore Focus - Show # 47: The Delmarva Discovery Center (Part 1)
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wesm/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1275148

Eastern Shore Focus - Show # 48: Discovery Ctr. (Pt. 2) / Ladies of Liberty
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wesm/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1279716

Questions or Comments?

E-mail us: wesm913@umes.edu
Or call 410-651-8001