Community remembers history of canneries in Dorchester County

EAST NEW MARKET, Md. – The Dorchester County Historical Society hosted the annual Seafood and Canning Sale and Show on Sunday.

According to the Dorchester County Historical Society spokesperson Andy Holliday, the event is a chance for the community to buy and trade all sorts of cans that carry a piece of history on the Eastern Shore.

Holliday said some cans are worth thousands of dollars and date back to the early 1800s.

According to Holliday, Dorchester County had nearly 200 canneries at one moment in time and made a mark in the community for generations.

“It’s our heritage, and I mean you stop and look and so much stuff gets thrown away because it’s made out of plastic and these are things that can leave lasting impressions on you,” said Holliday.

“You can tell your grand kids, ‘Well, I worked at this place and I can remember doing this,'” said Holliday.

The spokesperson said all proceeds made during the event will go towards the Dorchester County Historical Society.