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Coming Event: Fundraising Party at Piney GrovePlease join the Historical Society for a summer gathering at beautiful Piney Grove, a historic waterfront property in Kent County.
Piney Grove is an 18th-century legacy estate on the Chester River in Kent County, Maryland. Located approximately three miles outside the colonial town of Chestertown, Piney Grove was once home to some of the region’s finest working orchards. Under the ownership of horticultural pioneer Robert S. Emory, the property became a center of agricultural research and innovation in the mid-19th century, helping to advance peach and pear cultivation throughout the region.
The main house, constructed in 1773, has housed generations of the current owners’ family and retains its unique original four-room floor plan. In 1864, a grand Italianate portico was added to the river-facing side of the house to capture breezes from the water.
In the late 19th century and well into the 20th, Piney Grove Farm was a stop for commercial steamboats traveling from Baltimore. Today, Piney Grove retains its casual elegance as a comfortable manor house overlooking the Chester River, surrounded by acreage that reflects the property’s deep agricultural roots.
Guests will have the opportunity to explore the historic house and grounds, including beautifully maintained walking paths.
Ticket Levels:
Friend of the Historical Society — $50
Admission to the party and a Historical Society coffee mug
Steward of History — $100
Admission to the party, a Historical Society coffee mug, and your choice of either Historical Houses of Kent County or Vanishing Landscapes
Preservation Patron — $150
Admission to the party, a Historical Society coffee mug, and both Historical Houses of Kent County and Vanishing Landscapes
Enjoy good company, refreshments, and scenic surroundings while supporting the programs, collections, and educational initiatives of the Historical Society of Kent County.
Reservations required; address and parking information will be provided after ticket purchase.
Click here to purchase tickets
The Historical Society of Kent County, Maryland, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the collection and preservation of artifacts, documents, and information that aid in the interpretation of all aspects of Kent County’s history. The Society shares this information through its research library, museum space, programs, publications, and website in order to foster a knowledge and understanding of the shared heritage of our community. The Society supports and encourages the preservation of historic buildings and sites throughout Kent County. Donate
Learn more about The Historical Society.
Originally produced in 1985 and expanded in 2024, self-guided walking tour brochures are available outside the Bordley History Center seven days a week. The tour includes 29 stops, including significant sites of African American history and vernacular houses, along with grand colonial houses and other sites of interest within Chestertown’s historic district.
Discover the story of Chestertown on a guided tour of the Historic District. It’s an engaging look at the architecture, commerce, and community that shaped this colonial port town. Stroll the waterfront along the Chester River with an expert guide, visiting landmarks including the Custom House, Whitehall, and Levi Rogers house. Tours can be customized according to your group’s composition and interests.
We offer private walking tours for groups of five or more, perfect for clubs, school groups, family gatherings, and special outings.
Advance reservations are required and tours must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance to ensure guide availability.
Step into the shadows of the past on a tour of some of Chestertown’s spookiest, most haunted sites, and hear about the chilling lore of murder, mayhem, and pathos… IF YOU DARE!
Contact us to arrange a date and customize your experience. We look forward to welcoming your group to historic Chestertown! Please call (410) 778-3499 or email director@kentcountyhistory.org to inquire about setting up a guided tour for your group.
Tickets for Guided Tours and Ghost Walks are $20 per person.
Now on view through July 2026:
Tuesday, April 21, 1 p.m: Unveiling of New Yarmouth Highway Marker, Bordley History Center, Chestertown
Sunday, April 26, 2 p.m: Annual Members’ Meeting, Kent Cultural Alliance, 101 Spring Avenue, Chestertown with light refreshments and a talk by Dr. Lucy Maddox on Quakers and the Underground Railroad
Thursday, April 30, 12 p.m: Lunch & Lore with Wayne Gilchrest, Turner’s Creek Park, Kennedyville
Wednesday, May 13, 8:30 a.m: Bus Trip to Andalusia and Grundy Mansion
Thursday, May 14, 12 p.m: Lunch & Lore with Imani Black, Rock Hall
Saturday, May 23, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., & 3 p.m: Chestertown Tea Party with Colonial Music Duo Ridley and Annie Enslow, Bordley History Center, Chestertown
Thursday, May 28, 12 p.m: Lunch & Lore with Erika Sturgill, Bordley History Center, Chestertown
Thursday, June 11, 12 p.m: Lunch & Lore with Chris Cerino, Bordley History Center, Chestertown
Wednesday, June 17, 4 – 6 p.m: Party at Piney Grove! 7281 Wilkins Lane, Chestertown
Thursday, June 25, 12 p.m: Lunch & Lore with Leslie Raimond, Bordley History Center, Chestertown
Saturday, July 4: Bell Ringing, Bordley History Center, Chestertown
Thursday, July 9, 12 p.m: Lunch & Lore with Jaelon T. Moaney, Bordley History Center, Chestertown
Thursday, July 23, 12 p.m: Lunch & Lore with Kevin Hemtock, Millington
The Historical Society of Kent County Library collection includes thousands of items pertinent to regional history including reference works, manuscript collections, documents, ledgers, maps, genealogies, cemetery records, photographs, and oral histories.
Learn MoreThe Historical Society of Kent County always welcomes new members. You do not have to live locally to join; a number of our members support our efforts from afar. If you are a resident, however, we hope you will not only become a member, but join us at our events and activities, or consider volunteering. We offer a welcoming venue for community involvement for all ages. A donation of $25 is required for an individual membership, and a donation of $40 is required for a family membership. Student memberships are free.
