Water Ways: Mid-Atlantic Maritime Communities
odd: label: Introduction
content: Water Ways: Mid-Atlantic Maritime Communities was a Festival program about change and renewal, pride in the past and hope for the future, and the interconnectedness of cultural life and natural history in the region. It was composed of the stories of Festival participants and their communities, told in their own words. It spoke about their joys, frustrations, and efforts to conserve the rich heritage that permeates this region like the smell of salt water and marsh mud. The people who live around the ocean and bays, marshes and swamps, rivers and creeks of the Mid-Atlantic had lifetimes of knowledge that they generously shared with Festival visitors on the National Mall.

To illustrate the rich complexity of the story, the program and accompanying program book article gave particular attention to three natural resources that have been important throughout the region's history: oysters, shad, and Atlantic white cedar. The past, present, and future of the region were synopsized in these resources, all three of which cut deeply into cultural, economic, and ecological life. Each carried with it stories of exploitation, decline, and renewal of the resources that shaped Mid-Atlantic maritime community culture, the theme that brought the whole region into focus.

So many changes have occurred over the past couple of generations for maritime communities in this region that long-time residents can sometimes barely recognize their hometowns. A deep sense of loss tempered many of the stories that they told to Smithsonian researchers or to Festival visitors. But maritime communities often adapt to changes. When one species of fish becomes scarce or unmarketable, you fish for another. When crabbing with wire mesh pots proves more efficient than trot-lining (running a baited line across a section of water), you buy or learn to make pots. When recreational fishing catches on in your area, you fish for bait or get a charter-boat license. When the oyster-shucking or crab-picking plant shuts down, you get a job cooking at a local seafood restaurant or a nearby school. It's all about adaptation, flexibility, and survival - and it was these values that were on abundant display during the two weeks of the 2004 Festival. A website presented the field research and Festival activities.

Betty J. Belanus was Curator and Arlene Reiniger was Coordinator; Amy Skillman was Fieldwork Coordinator.

The program was made possible by a partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and produced in collaboration with the State of Maryland, National Endowment for the Arts, and Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network/ National Park Service; with generous contributions from Virginia Historic Resources, Mary Ball Washington Museum & Library, St. Mary's White Chapel Episcopal Church, Maryland State Arts Council, North Carolina Arts Council, North Carolina Tourism, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Phillips Seafood, and The Nature Conservancy; and with special thanks to National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.
label: Fieldworkers
content: The American Folklife Center/Library of Congress, Salisbury University's 2003 Summer Folklife Field School: Karen Amspacher, Harold Anderson, Lora Bottinelli, Tom Carroll, Shelly Drummond, Elaine Eff, John Eilertson, Susan Charles Groth, Thomas Hemans, Jill Hemming, James Lane, Jon Lohman, Connie Mason, Charlie Petrocci, Feather Phillips, Michael Sciarappa, Amy Skillman, Nancy Solomon, William Stott, Tom Walker, Meghan Wren
label: Presenters
content: Karen Amspacher, Harold Anderson, Lora Bottinelli, Charles Camp, Shelly Drummond, Elaine Eff, Susan Charles Groth, Thomas Hemans, Jill Hemming, Paula Johnson, Carrie Kline, James Lane, Jon Lohman, Tom McHugh, Connie Mason, Rita Moonsammy, Pam Morris, Charlie Petrocci, Amy Skillman, Nancy Solomon, William Stott, Rory Turner, Tom Walker, Meghan Wren
label: Participants
content: Boatyard

Alexandria Seaport Foundation, boat-building, Alexandria, Virginia

Jimmy Amspacher, 1946-, boat-building, Marshallberg, North Carolina

Heber Guthrie, 1951-, boat-building, Gloucester, North Carolina

Long Island Maritime Museum, boat-building, West Sayville, New York

The Mariner's Museum, boat-building, Newport News, Virginia  -- The Mariner's Museum, boat-building, Newport News, VirginiaLyles Forbes, 1964-, Newport News, VirginiaJames R. KnightMartin NoffsingerMarcie RennerRoger P. Worthen

Skipjack Captains and Restoration Experts, boat-building, Chesapeake Bay Region

Commercial Fishing

Nadine Benevides, 1958-, menhaden fishing, Gloucester, North Carolina

Joey Benevides, 1989-, menhaden fishing, Gloucester, North Carolina

Danny Bowden, 1956-, gill-netting, crabbing, guiding, Chincoteague, Virginia

Ivy Bradley, 1930-, hatchery manager, Pamunkey Reservation, Virginia

Warren Cook, 1937-, hatchery manager, Pamunkey Reservation, Virginia

Dallas Bradshaw, fish-netting, oystering, clamming, crab-scraping, bank-trapping, crab-potting, Crisfield, Maryland

Rufus Carter, menhaden fishing, Lewes, Delaware

Captain Virgin "Gus" Dunaway, 1929-, waterman, Kilmarnock, Virginia

Ronald Fithian, 1951-, town manager, Rock Hall, Maryland

Captain Charles Forrest, 1931-, menhaden fishing, Susan, Virginia

Helen Forrest, menhaden fishing, Susan, Virginia

Captain Matthew "Sonny" Gaskins, Sr., 1929-, menhaden fishing, Weems, Virginia

Skye Hilton, 1983-, crabbing, mussel fishing, Patchogue, New York

Wayne "Hon" Lawson, 1936-, waterman, Crisfield, Maryland

Stewart Lester, 1936-, haul-seining, dragger-man, lobsterman, swordfish harpooner, pound-trap fisherman, Amagansett, New York

Steve Meserve, 1961-, shad fishing, Ringoes, New Jersey

Sue Meserve, 1952-, shad fishing, Ringoes, New Jersey

Flo Sharkey, 1942-, bay-woman, Brookhaven, New York

Scott Sheppard, oystering, crabbing, conch fishing, Port Norris, New Jersey

Bradley Styron, 1950-, shrimp, fish, crab, oyster, and clam fishing, Cedar Island, North Carolina

Carl Tarnow, 1934-, pound-net fishing, clamming, oystering, net mending, Raritan Bay, New Jersey

Melvin Twiddy, 1921-, shad fishing, Manns Harbor, North Carolina

Carl Tyler, Jr., waterman, Crisfield, Maryland

Cory Weyant, 1957-2011, eeling, crabbing, Freeport, New York

The Whittington Family, oyster shucking, gospel singing, Port Norris, New Jersey

Community Program Presenters

Karen Willis Amspacher, 1955-, Marshallberg, North Carolina

James Lane, 1951-, Crisfield, Maryland

Tom McHugh, 1938-, Rock Hall, Maryland

Pam Davis Morris, 1962-, Davis, North Carolina

Feather Phillips, Columbia, North Carolina

Meghan Wren, 1964-, Bivalve, New Jersey

Keeping the Waters Safe & Water Safety

Delaware River Pilots, Lewes, Delaware

Herbert Groh, 1920-, docking pilot, Catonsville, Maryland

Reggie Jones, lifeguard, Jones Beach, New York

Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation, Lewes, Delaware

The United States Sail and Power Squadron

Kids' Coast Environmental Learning Center

Hudson River Clearwater Sloop, Inc.

Mildred Moore, 1934-, potter, Pamunkey Indian Reservation, Virginia

The Nature Conservancy

Oyster Recovery Partnership

Maritime Kitchen

Dawn Chesser, 1947-, foodways, Sanford, Virginia

Janice Marshall, 1945-, foodways, Smith Island, Maryland

Kenneth Pinkard, 1959-, foodways, Burgess, Virginia

Clyde Roberts, foodways, Port Penn, Delaware

John Shields, foodways, Baltimore, Maryland

Debbie Styron, 1953-, foodways, Cedar Island, North Carolina

Ramona Whittington, 1959-, foodways, Crisfield, Maryland

Marshlife & Waterfowling Area

Anthony Brooks, 1964-, decoy carver, Harkers Island, North Carolina

Chatmon Bryant, 1931-, hunter, trapper, storyteller, Alligator, North Carolina

Victor Bryson, 1957-, snapping turtle harvester, Port Penn, Delaware

Grayson Chesser, 1947-, decoy carver, Sanford, Virginia

Jack Combs, 1935-, decoy carver, Riverhead, New York

Douglas Gibson, 1923-, decoy carver, Milford, Delaware

Bo Lusk, 1975-, kayak guide, Cape Charles, Virginia

Kelley Nelson, 1963-, decoy carver, Morehead City, North Carolina

Glenn Phillips, 1966-, call-maker, bird-caller, Ocean City, Maryland

Fred Reitmeyer, 1941-, decoy carver, Tuckerton, New Jersey

Lonnie" Ray" Sykes, 1949-, trap-maker, Alligator Community, Columbia, North Carolina

Recreational Fishing

Pete Ames, Sr., 1949-, rod-maker, Little Neck, New York

Shawn Giacobbe, 1961-, charter boat captain, Chincoteague, Virginia

George McGinnity, taxidermist, New Freedom, Pennsylvania

Shirley Price, bait supplier, Cedar Neck, Delaware

Richie Tillman, Jr., 1975-, fly-tier, Queenstown, Maryland

Sailing and Related Crafts

The Bayshore Discovery Center & A.J. Meerwald Schooner, oystering, Bivalve, New Jersey

Jim Langley, 1946-, model boat-making, Solomons Island, Maryland

National Maritime Heritage Foundation, maritime history, Washington, D.C.

Harry Saarinen, 1952-, sculptor, painter, Amityville, New York

Kelly Smyth, blacksmith, Chadd's Ford, Pennsylvania

Lynn Stevens, 1952-, sail-maker, Shady Side, Maryland

Shore Memories Performance Area

Earl Carawan, 1939-, old-time, bluegrass music, Swan Quarter, Fairfield, North Carolina

Leland Carawan, 1936-, old-time, bluegrass music, Swan Quarter, North Carolina

Davy Crockett, 1954-, singer, guitarist, Tangier Island, Virginia

Dr. Tom Flowers, 1923-, raconteur, Cambridge, Maryland

Rodney Kemp, 1946-, storyteller, Moorehead City, North Carolina

Elmer Mackall and the Faith Singers  -- Elmer Mackall and the Faith SingersElmer Mackall, 1923-, piano, vocals, Prince Frederick, MarylandThelma Claggett, 1955-, vocals, Prince Frederick, MarylandMargaret Copeland, 1953-, vocals, Prince Frederick, MarylandOllie Williams, vocals, Suitland, Maryland

Magpie, Takoma Park, Maryland  -- Magpie, Takoma Park, MarylandGreg Artzner, 1952-, singer, instrumentalistTerry Leonino, 1951-, singer, instrumentalist

Connie Mason, 1954-, singer, instrumentalist, Beaufort, North Carolina

Janie Meneely, raconteur, Eastport, Maryland

The New Gospelites, gospel singers, Worton Point, Maryland  -- The New Gospelites, gospel singers, Worton Point, MarylandLester Barrett, Jr., 1958-, Chestertown, MarylandFranklin Hynson, 1933-, Chestertown, MarylandMary Hynson, 1942-, Chestertown, MarylandStevenson Hynson, 1951-, Camden, DelawareJerome McKinney, 1965-, Worton, MarylandIrene Moore, 1937-, Chestertown, MarylandHester Newnam, 1955-, Chestertown, MarylandJames Phillips, Worton, MarylandKaren Somerville, 1958-, Worton, Maryland

David Norris, 1953-, singer-songwriter, storyteller, Hollywood, Maryland

Joseph Norris, 1953-, singer-songwriter, storyteller, California, Maryland

The Northern Neck Chantey Singers, menhaden chanteys, Northumberland and Lancaster Counties, Virginia  -- The Northern Neck Chantey Singers, menhaden chanteys, Northumberland and Lancaster Counties, VirginiaSelby Basker, 1922-, Reedville, VirginiaEdward Chewning, 1929-, Weems, VirginiaCristopher Harvey, 1935-, Heathsville, VirginiaCalvin Hill, 1935-, Burgess, VirginiaWilliam Muse, Lottsburg, VirginiaElton Smith, Jr., 1926-, Shackerfords, VirginiaEdward Taylor, 1921-, Reedville, VirginiaClarence Tiggle, 1924-, Lottsburg, Virginia

The Phillips Gangplank Ragtime Band, Dixieland jazz, ragtime  -- The Phillips Gangplank Ragtime Band, Dixieland jazz, ragtimeGary Carper, 1955-, Fredericksburg, VirginiaDottie Donaldson, 1924-, Baltimore, MarylandDarrel Guimond, 1936-, Lancaster, PennsylvaniaHenning Hoehne, 1939-, Annapolis, MarylandDick SmithJay Wachter, 1946-, Baltimore, Maryland

The SAIF Water Singers, spirituals, Lancaster and Northumberland Counties, Virginia

Them Eastport Oyster Boys, singers, instrumentalists, Eastport, Maryland  -- Them Eastport Oyster Boys, singers, instrumentalists, Eastport, MarylandKevin Brooks, 1954-, Annapolis, MarylandAndy Fegley, 1961-, trombone, Annapolis, MarylandTom Guay, 1952-, guitar, fiddle, hammer dulcimer, Annapolis, MarylandJefferson Holland, 1954-, ukulele, Annapolis, MarylandKeith Manual, 1970-, percussion, Annapolis, MarylandPeter Miller, 1954-, bass, Arnold, MarylandRandy Neilson, 1952-, accordion, Crownsville, Maryland

Sonny Williamson, storyteller, Cedar Island, North Carolina

Tom Wisner and Friends  -- Tom Wisner and FriendsTom Wisner, 1930-2010, singer-songwriter, educator, Solomons Island, MarylandFrank Schwartz, 1950-, West Suffield, ConnecticutFranklin M. Walter, 1948-, Catonsville, MarylandTeresa Whitaker, 1952-, West Suffield, Connecticut

Bob Zentz, 1944-, singer, instrumentalist, Norfolk, Virginia
name: label: Collection Creator
content: Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
setName: label: See more items in
content: Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 2004 Smithsonian Folklife Festival
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections
identifier: label: Identifier
content: CFCH.SFF.2004, Series 5
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials