The Underground Railroad wasn’t the only resistance movement to happen here in Dorchester County and Cambridge, Maryland. Fifty years ago, Cambridge was an important part of the civil rights movement.

Reflections on Pine marks the 50th anniversary of civil unrest in Cambridge, following decades of economic and educational segregation. All are welcome to join in a series of events July 20-23 to commemorating 50 years of civil rights, change, and community.

The summer of 1967 was the height of Civil Rights Movement in Cambridge, Maryland. On the evening of July 24, 1967, a fire erupted on Pine Street, the heart of the African-American community. An elementary school, several businesses, and a church were destroyed in the fire. And a community was changed forever. Read more about the history.

All are welcome to take part in the commemorative weekend, designed to serve as an opportunity for dialogue and healing. Events include:

THURSDAY, JULY 20

OPENING RECEPTION


Thursday, July 20, 5:30-7pm, Chesapeake College, 418 Race Street, Cambridge, MD. Reception will feature a pictorial history of Pine Street and the civil rights movement in Cambridge. Free.

CONVERSATION WITH GLORIA RICHARDSON DANDRIDGE

Thursday, July 20, 7pm. Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort, 100 Heron Blvd., Cambridge, MD. Gloria Richardson Dandridge, who led the civil rights efforts in Cambridge in the early 1960s, will speak about her thoughts and memories of the Cambridge Movement. Free, but registration is required.

FRIDAY, JULY 21

TALK: HISTORY OF PINE STREET AND THE EFFECTS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT


Friday, July 21, 10am. Dorchester County Library, 303 Gay St., Cambridge, MD. David “Nicky” Henry, author of Up Pine Street and Dr. Peter Levy, author of Civil War on Race Street will give a history of Pine Street, the main artery of the African-American community of Cambridge, and discuss how the Civil Rights Movement effected the community. Free, but registration is requested.

MURAL UNVEILING

Friday, July 21, 4pm, Corner of Maryland Avenue and Route 50. Help dedicate Cambridge’s newest public mural, which celebrates Harriet Tubman and other prominent African-Americans who lived in Dorchester County.

GALA DINNER

Friday, July 21, 7-10pm at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort, 100 Heron Blvd., Cambridge, MD. Dinner will honor three individuals that were part of the local civil rights movement — Gloria Richardson Dandridge, Fred Stanley, and current Cambridge Mayor Victoria Jackson Stanley. Tickets cost $60 per tickets; $400 per table. Buy tickets.

SATURDAY, JULY 22

A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON RACE

Saturday, July 22, 12-2pm, Bethel AME Church, 623 Pine St., Cambridge, MD. Conversation will be professionally facilitated and a boxed lunch will be served. Free, but registration is required.

SUNDAY, JULY 23

RACE AGAINST RACISM 5K RUN/WALK

Sunday, July 23, 7am, starts in downtown Cambridge, MD, near the corner of Race and Muir Streets. $25 per person. Register online.

COMMUNITY CHURCH SERVICE


Sunday, July 23, 11am-1pm, Bethel AME Church, 623 Pine St., Cambridge, MD. A partnership with the Ministerial Alliance in an effort to desegregate the most segregated hour in America.

 

Find out more about all these events on the Reflections on Pine website.
The events are being organized by the Eastern Shore Network for Change (ESNC).