Einstein's Visit to Deep Creek Lake

Einstein's Visit to Deep Creek Lake. Deep Creek Lake 100 Years. , Although a number of celebrities have visited Deep Creek Lake over the years, Albert Einstein was surely the most famous. The world-renowned physicist and Noble Prize winner spent two weeks at the lake in September of 1946, shortly after the end of World War II. He was reportedly seeking both solitude (relief from the atomic bomb controversy) and medical advice regarding a discovered condition., John Steiding of Midland, MD, invited Einstein to visit Deep Creek Lake. Steiding worked for the Celanese Fiber Company as a chemist. He came to know Einstein through a co-worker's wife, who was sculpting a bust of Einstein., He stayed at the lakeside cottage of Dr. Frank Wilson in the Turkey Neck area, the cottage then known as the Mar-Jo- Lodge. He apparently spent much of his time reading and walking the shoreline, sometimes chatting with local folks who had no idea who he was. His most publicized activity was sailing in a small sailboat, noting that he refused to wear a life jacket even though he could not swim. He was described as a light eater, but with a love of locally-grown corn-on-the-cob., There were many interesting stories of Einstein during his stay. These stories not only capture Einstein's simplicity but also his unique sense of humor. During his visit, Fred Steiding, brother of John Steiding, asked him to explain relativity in layman's terms. "Put it this way," said Einstein, "if you sit on a park bench with your sweetheart, an hour seems like a minute. If you sit on a hot stove by mistake, a minute seems like an hour.", His hosts promised to protect his privacy, which they surely did. In fact, the fact of his visit to Deep Creek Lake did not become public until 1979, some 33 years later!, Einstein passed away in 1955 at the age of 76. But, he left us with a sentiment shared by many visitors to Deep Creek Lake---“one of the most restful and zestful vacations”., (Captions):, Dr. Frank Wilson (left), Einstein's host for his visit, Robbie Steiding sits on Einstein's lap during his visit, Fred and Virginia Steiding on either side of Einstein, Mar-jo Lodge on Turkey Neck, From left to right: Helen Dukas (Dr. Einstein's secretary), Gina Plunguian, Dr. Gustavo Peter Bucky, Mrs. Bucky, Virginia and Harry Muma, and Albert Einstein during the 1946 visit, Einstein sailing with Harry Muma (right, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Turkey Neck Yacht Club, Albert Einstein receiving the Max Planck Medal from Max Planck, 1929 (Einstein was awarded the Nobel prize in 1922 but was traveling to Japan during the award ceremony)