Sunset Sails & History, aboard a 74-foot, classic wooden schooner, Woodwind.
The Woodwinds features a History-slanted sunset sail every Monday night. When you set sail from downtown Annapolis, you see the gorgeous historic skyline that has welcomed ships in for centuries. We sail past the United States naval Academy and into the Chesapeake Bay. Come listen to the stories that make up the fabric of history in this terrific town. Topics change weekly.
Schedule for History Mondays 2017:
Monday, June 12: Legends & Lore of the Annapolis Waterfront, Dave Gendell 6:30-8:30
Lifelong Chesapeake Bay sailor Dave Gendell brings aboard a boatload of stories of the Annapolis waterfront with a special focus on the Schooner America, wooden boatbuilding in Annapolis during World War II, and the personalities and events that make the waters off Annapolis one of the world’s most vibrant sailing grounds.
Monday, June 19: The Maritime Republic of Eastport, Still revolting after all these years! Kevin Brooks 6:30-8:30
The Eastport Flag
Join Eastport Oyster Boy and Local Revolutionary Kevin “Brother Shucker” Brooks for an entertaining look at the upstart “Maritime Republic of Eastport”‘s interesting and down right fun history through the past four centuries. Historic forts, world class boat building centers, proud diversity, resilient waterman and becoming the ever fun and ever mighty Maritime Republic of Eastport!… Join Kevin for this fun, irreverent and music filled journey through the “Gulf of Eastport and Around the Horn”…(Horn Point that is…) sunset sail through history, music and mirth.
When not performing with the boys can be found on his “good boat” the Pearl of Eastport cruising the waters of Gulf of Eastport and other exotic ports of call.
Monday, June 26: Eating, Drinking and Making Merry in Colonial Annapolis, Diane Rey 6:30-8:30
Set sail with Anne Catharine Green, Annapolis’ 18th century Printer to the Province — a woman far ahead of her time — to discover the kinds of activities that helped make Annapolis the “Athens of America” during its golden age. Learn about early tavern life, sought-after imports, the “clubbical behavior” of the celebrated Tuesday Club, and the whirlwind that was Annapolis’ social season, as drawn from the pages of Mrs. Green’s newspaper, the Maryland Gazette. Enjoy your craft beer while hearing about the strange concoctions that Colonials quaffed!
A lifelong Marylander who grew up on a large dairy farm in Frederick County, Diane traces her roots to the South River Hundred who settled in southern Anne Arundel County on the original land grants from Lord Baltimore.
She indulges her love of American history by bringing to life Mrs. Green who took over as official Printer to the Province of Maryland upon the death of her husband, Jonas Green, in 1767. Besides her work as editor, printer, and publisher of one of America’s first newspapers, Mrs. Green printed the laws, proceedings and paper money for the Maryland General Assembly after petitioning the legislature for the same contract extended to her husband – 48,000 pounds of tobacco per year – making her an early example of “equal pay for equal work.” In 2010, this remarkable woman was inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame.
Monday, July 3: Before the Bay Bridge: Historic Chesapeake Bay Beach Resorts, Stephanie Sperling 6:30-8:30
From the mid-1800s through the 1950s, countless resorts and summer communities sprung up along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. People from Washington D.C. and Baltimore flocked here using new transportation networks, like steamships, trains, and paved roads. Most resorts featured rustic cabins for rent, swimming piers, and sandy beaches, and some even had animal shows, amusement rides, and gambling halls. Nearly all of these places were segregated, forcing African Americans and other minorities into forming their own leisure destinations. Most resorts closed after the passage of the Civil Rights Act and the opening of the Bay Bridge, which allowed people of all colors to bypass the Bay on their way to the ocean. However, traces of this resort heyday are still visible today in waterfront communities and parks all around Annapolis and throughout Anne Arundel County.
Monday, July 10: The Key to Annapolis History, Jeff Holland 6:30-8:30
The key to Annapolis history lies somewhere in the harbor… Jeff uses his original songs and narrative verse to tell three centuries worth of stories about Annapolis, some of which are actually true.
Monday, July 17: Tunes & Tales of the Golden Age of Annapolis, Tom Guay 6:30-8:30
On Schooner Woodwind’s History Monday cruises,Tom’s fiddle playing takes you on a trip back in time to the The Golden Age of Annapolis (1750-1783). Tom plays brings the life and times of Annapolis to life with stories of the the social and musical events that enriched the lives of this charming city. He also has a few stories about the fiery events in town that helped turn British America into the fledgling new nation.
Monday, July 24: Environmental History of the Bay, Alice Christman 6:30-8:30
How is the Bay? It’s a popular question to ask when you are cruising. But how has the Bay changed is also a good question. We’ll talk about the environmental history of the Bay, starting with what John Smith saw leading up to today. Hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
When she is not working, she is found messin’ about on the Bay, where she races sailboats, catches sunsets, and finding daily inspiration to keep others inspired. Fair warning when you meet her: you will either end up being her best friend or hosting her as a guest speaker at a special event.
Monday, July 31: Pirates of the Chesapeake Bay, Heather Ersts 6:30-8:30
Pirates have plied the waters of the Chesapeake Bay for hundreds of years, and still do today. Hear tales of Black Beard, the town dubbed the “Nest of Pirates,” and today’s modern pirates as you sail along the same waterways they have sailed.
Monday, August 7: Oyster Wars, Sherri Marsh 6:30-8:30
The Oyster Wars were a nearly century-long series of violent disputes between oyster pirates, the Maryland Oyster Navy and legal watermen from Maryland and Virginia. It is a tale of kidnapping, murder, machine guns, and honest folks just trying to make a living.
Monday, August 14: Legends & Lore of the Annapolis Waterfront, Dave Gendell 6:30-8:30
Lifelong Chesapeake Bay sailor Dave Gendell brings aboard a boatload of stories of the Annapolis waterfront with a special focus on the Schooner America, wooden boatbuilding in Annapolis during World War II, and the personalities and events that make the waters off Annapolis one of the world’s most vibrant sailing grounds.
Monday, August 21: Legends & Lore of the Annapolis Waterfront, Dave Gendell 6:30-8:30
Lifelong Chesapeake Bay sailor Dave Gendell brings aboard a boatload of stories of the Annapolis waterfront with a special focus on the Schooner America, wooden boatbuilding in Annapolis during World War II, and the personalities and events that make the waters off Annapolis one of the world’s most vibrant sailing grounds.
Monday, August 28: The Key to Annapolis History, Jeff Holland 5:30-7:30
The key to Annapolis history lies somewhere in the harbor…Jeff uses his original songs and narrative verse to tell three centuries worth of stories about Annapolis, some of which are actually true.
Monday, September 4: The Tale of Two Cities, Janet Williman 5:30-7:30
Since 1845, America’s sailing capital and our Navy intertwined to engage with interesting characters from all of over the world. Delight in nautical skyline views; while discovering amazing, amusing and sometimes surprising stories. For example, a connection with the movie, King Kong is revealed during our sail.
Monday, September 11: Eating, Drinking and Making Merry in Colonial Annapolis, Diane Rey 5:30-7:30
Set sail with Anne Catharine Green, Annapolis’ 18th century Printer to the Province — a woman far ahead of her time — to discover the kinds of activities that helped make Annapolis the “Athens of America” during its golden age. Learn about early tavern life, sought-after imports, the “clubbical behavior” of the celebrated Tuesday Club, and the whirlwind that was Annapolis’ social season, as drawn from the pages of Mrs. Green’s newspaper, the Maryland Gazette. Enjoy your craft beer while hearing about the strange concoctions that Colonials quaffed!
A lifelong Marylander who grew up on a large dairy farm in Frederick County, Diane traces her roots to the South River Hundred who settled in southern Anne Arundel County on the original land grants from Lord Baltimore.
She indulges her love of American history by bringing to life Mrs. Green who took over as official Printer to the Province of Maryland upon the death of her husband, Jonas Green, in 1767. Besides her work as editor, printer, and publisher of one of America’s first newspapers, Mrs. Green printed the laws, proceedings and paper money for the Maryland General Assembly after petitioning the legislature for the same contract extended to her husband – 48,000 pounds of tobacco per year – making her an early example of “equal pay for equal work.” In 2010, this remarkable woman was inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame.
Monday, September 18: Pirates of the Chesapeake Bay, Heather Ersts 5:30-7:30
Pirates have plied the waters of the Chesapeake Bay for hundreds of years, and still do today. Hear tales of Black Beard, the town dubbed the “Nest of Pirates,” and today’s modern pirates as you sail along the same waterways they have sailed.
The Eastport Flag
Monday, September 25: The Maritime Republic of Eastport, Still revolting after all these years! Kevin Brooks 5:30-7:30
Join Eastport Oyster Boy and Local Revolutionary Kevin “Brother Shucker” Brooks for an entertaining look at the upstart “Maritime Republic of Eastport”‘s interesting and down right fun history through the past four centuries. Historic forts, world class boat building centers, proud diversity, resilient waterman and becoming the ever fun and ever mighty Maritime Republic of Eastport!… Join Kevin for this fun, irreverent and music filled journey through the “Gulf of Eastport and Around the Horn”…(Horn Point that is…) sunset sail through history, music and mirth.
When not performing with the boys can be found on his “good boat” the Pearl of Eastport cruising the waters of Gulf of Eastport and other exotic ports of call.