Chester in Queen Anne's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The James E. Kirwan Museum
The Kirwan House, built in 1879, was the home of former Maryland State Senator James E. Kirwan (1900-1908). The attached store, built in 1889, and his various business endeavors became the hub of the Chester/Dominion communities, and also served as a conduit for the lumber and coal that were unloaded from the boats at his wharf on Kirwan's Creek and delivered throughout Kent Island.
In 1917, Senator Kirwan earned the title of "The Grand Old Man of Kent Island", when he and several prominent local leaders successfully led a group of some 500 Eastern Shore delegates to Washington to protest the U.S. War Department's proposal to locate an armament testing site on Kent Island.
In 1994, his granddaughter, Mary Catherine Kirwan, bequeathed the home, store and farm to the Kent Island Heritage Society, Inc., who operated the property as a museum in Senator Kirwan's memory.
Erected by Historic Sites Consortium of Queen Anne's County, Maryland.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.
Location. 38° 57.593′ N, 76° 16.585′ W. Marker is in Chester, Maryland
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Esther "Peb" Foster (within shouting distance of this marker); Byway Destinations (approx. 1.8 miles away); a different marker also named Byway Destinations (approx. 1.8 miles away); Chesapeake Country National Scenic Byway (approx. 1.8 miles away); War Along the Chesapeake (approx. 1.8 miles away); Crossing the Narrows (approx. 1.8 miles away); Enemy Occupation (approx. 1.8 miles away); From Marsh to Working Waterway (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chester.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 191 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
