Black History Month: Somerset County NAACP gears up for 2nd annual historical bus tour
SOMERSET COUNTY, Md. – The Somerset County NAACP is gearing up for its second annual 12-hour Black History Bus Tour, which will start in Princess Anne and end in Crisfield, Maryland.
“To Us, By Us”
The goal is to shed light on historic landmarks, buildings, towns, and establishments that have impacted the communities along the Eastern Shore. Assistant Secretary to the Somerset County NAACP Shelly Johnson says this is a way for local Black history to be told ‘to us, by us.’
Oftentimes, she says our history is white-washed or eliminated, and in this age of erasure, hearing history from those who lived it is very important. “When we went to school, we were always told stories from our white teachers, and then we would come home and we would relay that information, and it wasn’t quite how our ancestors remembered it.”
Ancestor Anthology
The tour will include many locations, including churches, businesses, and historical sites. Johnson says they couldn’t fit all the history of Somerset County in this one tour, but their hope is that individuals learn about the contributions African American made to the shore.
“The reason why is to give storytellers a chance to tell their history at their locations. To get the feel of the era that they grew up in, or they lived through, or to actually tell the stories of their ancestors.”
Get on Board
The event will take place Saturday, February 22nd, but sales will close February 12th. The $20 ticket includes the ride and 3 meals, so hurry and purchase your tickets to get on board!
