Crisfield in Somerset County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

African American Watermen of the Chesapeake

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 12, 2024

1. African American Watermen of the Chesapeake Marker

Inscription. African Americans have played a large role in the Chesapeake seafood industry, including as watermen, seafood processing workers, and ship-builders. A career as a waterman provided a measure of independence, especially for those with their own boat. African American watermen contributed distinctive traditions to regional culture, including the singing of chanties—work songs that crews sang as they performed their tasks.

Erected by Crisfield Heritage Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 37° 58.682′ N, 75° 51.57′ W. Marker is in Crisfield, Maryland, in Somerset County. It can be reached from the intersection of Spruce Street and 9th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 927 Spruce St, Crisfield MD 21817, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva

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Peninsula,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Crab Pots (here, next to this marker); Crab Scrape (here, next to this marker); Crab Shedding Float (here, next to this marker); Drop Tongs (here, next to this marker); Oyster Dredges (here, next to this marker); Watermen of the Tangier Sound (here, next to this marker); Hand Tongs (here, next to this marker); Skipjacks and Bugeyes (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Crisfield.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 12, 2024

2. African American Watermen of the Chesapeake Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 184 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 13, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.