Historic Preservation Efforts Earn Awards
Karen Stone, author of “Shipwreck on the Potomac: Disaster in Pursuit of Lincoln’s Killer.”
The St. Mary’s County Historic Preservation Commission announced the 2026 recipients of its awards that recognize outstanding achievement and excellence in the field of historic preservation.
The recipients are:
Preservation Service Award – Karen Stone, Museum Division manager for the St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks, who researched and authored a book on the Black Diamond Disaster, “Shipwreck on the Potomac: Disaster in Pursuit of Lincoln’s Killer.” Ms. Stone’s book brings this story to light, exploring a long-overlooked chapter of St. Mary’s County history.
Preservation Project Award – Historic Sotterley, which shares the history and stories of the site from the early 1700s through the 1950s through its extant structures. The organization recently relocated and restored a small tenant farmhouse from a previously owned adjacent property onto its current grounds. The farmhouse helps interpret the post-slavery transition period, when hired tenant labor was prevalent on farms throughout the region.
Preservation Project Award – Jocelyn Copeland, who spearheaded the production of an educational pop-up museum experience for the 59th Annual US Oyster Festival. The exhibit highlighted the rich history and vibrant community of the region’s oyster industry and watermen culture. Artifacts were secured on loan through collaboration with the Calvert Marine Museum, the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab, and local watermen.
Preservation Project Award – KT Harris, who produced an immersive video experience highlighting the history of “The Dancing Molly” and the “Oyster Wars” in Maryland and Virginia. The exhibit quickly became one of the most talked-about additions to the festival, engaging more than 8,000 visitors and offering a meaningful, hands-on connection to the area’s maritime heritage.
A recording of the awards presentation is available online here and on the SMCG YouTube Channel here.
