Supporting America's 1st All-water National Historic Trail
The Friends of the John Smith Trail rallied support for passage of legislation to establish the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail in 2006. Many individuals, businesses, non-profit groups, government organizations, and local, county, and state governments joined the Friends in this successful effort (see list).
Now, as the National Park Service moves forward to develop a Comprehensive Management Plan for the trail, the Friends will continue to provide support and outreach and offer information about how you can get out to enjoy the nation’s newest National Historic Trail.
Updates
John Smith Shallop Race
May 3, 2008 @ Noon
Annapolis, MD
Watch history in action as three boats, each a unique modern interpretation of the vessel Captain John Smith used to explore the Chesapeake Bay 400 years ago, race around Annapolis Harbor on Saturday, May 3 at high noon. Who got it right? The boat built by the Reedville Fishermen's Museum, Deltaville Maritime Museum, or Sultana Projects in Chestertown?
The race is part of the Maryland Maritime Heritage Festival and celebrates Bay sailing history and the creation of the new Capt. John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.
Admission is free. For more information, visit the Maryland Maritime Heritage Festival website.
Urge Congress to expand the installation of interactive buoys marking the John  Smith Trail
Your help is needed! - Congress is considering a plan to extend the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (CBIBS) -- affectionately known as the 'John Smith buoys' because they also mark the nation's newly established Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. This innovative system fills critical observational gaps in measuring the progress of Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. It collects, transmits and interprets real-time environmental data to a wide variety of constituents, including scientists, on-the-water users, public safety officials, educators, and natural resource decision-makers.
Three buoys exist, but more are needed.
Funding the buoys needs your support! Please contact your members of Congress and urge them to provide $1 million in funding to expand CBIBS this year. |
Setting the Record Straight - This Bay Journal article is a must-read for anyone interested in Smith and his time. Americans' fascination with lone heroes has long skewed the stories of Capt. John Smith and the pivotal time period in which he explored the Chesapeake Bay. It's a problem that organizers of the Capt. John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail want to correct.
Join the Adventure
Stay informed about trail events and National Park Service planning. Sign up for our enewsletter, join our network on Facebook, and explore this website.
Photo credits: Bill Portlock, Ian Plant |
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