White Marsh Historical Society

01/17/2026

STLPR | St. Louis University student works to hold school accountable for enslaving her ancestors

After Robin Proudie learned that 25 of her ancestors were born into enslavement by St. Louis University Jesuit Catholics, she founded Descendants of St. Louis University Enslaved to ensure accountability and commemoration of the enslaved people who helped build the school.

01/13/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Annual Meeting held on Sunday, October 12, to celebrate our accomplishments in 2025!

Thank you to all the members and volunteers who attended and supported us throughout the year, to the Most Reverend Roy E. Campbell Jr. for hosting us at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, and to Maryland Humanities for sponsoring the event!

We look forward to another successful year!

01/08/2026

, we remember Michael Queen, who was born about 1804 enslaved by the Jesuits, and died about the age of 85. His life spanned one of the most consequential periods in American history. His mother, Henny Queen, was born enslaved at the “lower quarters” of the White Marsh plantation, forced to the St. Joseph’s Mission on the Eastern Shore, then later enslaved at the Bohemia Mission in Cecil County, Maryland.

Michael Queen died on January 7, 1889, in Chester, Pennsylvania, having lived through enslavement, emancipation, and the uncertain promises of freedom afterward. He was “laid in his final resting place in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery,” on the outskirts of Philadelphia.

Today, we honor Michael Queen by speaking his name and preserving his story.

01/02/2026

CROSS Conference 2025 | Descendants help Catholic institutions come to reckoning with slavery history

Dr. Lynn Locklear Nehemiah’s journey of discovery to learn her enslaved ancestors’ stories and honor their legacies led her to an overgrown hillside at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Bowie, Maryland.

12/06/2025

December 6, 1838, one hundred thirty men, women, and children disembarked from the Katharine Jackson, stepping on Louisiana soil for the first time after being sold and forced from their homes and families in Maryland. Over twenty of the souls aboard the Katharine Jackson were enslaved at White Marsh, including the families of Patrick Hawkins, John Queen, Nelly Blacklock, Kitty Hawkins, and two children of Betsy West, who escaped before the vessel headed south. Today, we honor the memory of each soul who boarded the Katharine Jackson ... NEVER FORGOTTEN! https://whitemarsh.org

An independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit research organization

12/03/2025

It's GivingTuesday, and the White Marsh Historical Society welcomes your support for our ongoing preservation efforts. Your generosity helps keep our shared history alive — thank you!

Learn more and give at https://whitemarsh.org/donate/

11/24/2025

A Day of Acknowledgement: Confronting the Legacy of Slavery

11/24/2025

A Day of Acknowledgement: Confronting the Legacy of Slavery

On November 22, County Executive Steuart Pittman led “A Day of Acknowledgement: Confronting the Legacy of Slavery,” a powerful and historic event acknowledging Anne Arundel County’s role in the legacy of slavery. Surrounded by community leaders, descendants, and residents, Pittman signed an official Recognition of Apology on behalf of the county.

This moment marks an important step toward truth, reconciliation, and building a community where every voice is valued.

10/23/2025

Research Integrity: Acknowledging the Early Work of Luella Brock (1915-2002)

10/09/2025

Congratulations to Descendant John Queen on becoming the new Executive Director of Blacks of the Chesapeake!

With over 13 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, community organizing, and youth development, John Queen is a proven executive dedicated to building equitable systems, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and delivering impactful programs for underserved communities. Currently serving as P...

02/28/2025

Historic White Marsh Cemetery | Piecing together stories of unmarked graves | WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore

Kevin Porter felt a mix of emotions as he stared at a headstone for someone he never got to know. His ancestors once lived and worked on land that is now Sac...

02/26/2025

in 2023, descendants, community leaders, local politicians from Bowie, Maryland, and members of the Roman Catholic Church, led by Cardinal Wilton Gregory, came together to honor the lives of enslaved Americans whose long-forgotten graves were uncovered. A moment of remembrance for those whose lives and legacies deserves respect and recognition.