Kent County Arts Council Continues Campaign to Purchase Charles Sumner Post #25

April 11, 2012 - PRLog -- Kent County Arts Council, under the direction of Leslie Prince Raimond, continues a national capital campaign to raise funds and awareness to acquire and restore the Charles Sumner Post #25, Grand Army of the Republic on South Queen Street in Chestertown, Maryland. The historic building will become a world-class museum with an exhibition about the nation’s Civil War and the story of African Americans’ involvement in it. The building will also include an event space, which will feature jazz, blues, gospel and classical music, youth programs, poetry readings, lecture series, theatre and a film series for everyone to enjoy. http://www.kentcountyartscouncil.org/

The Charles Sumner Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, also known as Centennial Hall, was built in 1908 by African American veterans of the Civil War and served as a gathering place for veterans of the U.S. Colored Troops. It was named in honor of the famous Massachusetts antislavery senator. It served as the center of African-American community life for 60 years. It is the only building of its kind in the state of Maryland, and one of only two such monuments left standing in the United States. It was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

The capital campaign is an effort of Kent County Arts Council in cooperation with leaders of the African American Community, Town of Chestertown, Kent County Department of Tourism and Economic Development, Main Street Historic Chestertown, Preservation Incorporated, Washington College SIFE, and many other interested citizens, from near and far.

In March 2012, The Charles Sumner Post #25, Grand Army of the Republic was awarded a generous grant of $100,000 by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development through its Community Legacy program. This grant, overseen by the Town of Chestertown and administered by Kent County Arts Council will provide funds to acquire the building from its owner, Preservation, Inc. The grant will also be used for renovations to the historic structure, plus begin creation of a space for performance, display, education and research that honors local African American culture and the country’s Civil War heritage. With this grant, KCAC will acquire the GAR Building by the fall 2012, at which time the building’s phased renovation program will begin.

Earlier in March the site was selected for the 2012 Endangered Maryland list by Maryland Life Magazine. This distinction supports the need to save and restore this historic Maryland property for the future. Ms. Raimond hopes the Endangered Maryland listing will “bring much-needed attention to this unique artifact of Maryland history and help in the campaign to raise money to reconstruct the interior of the building and develop exhibits that will honor the role of its builders.” http://www.marylandlife.com/reviews/charles-sumner-post

A Benefit Gospel Cabaret will take place on Saturday, April 14, at the Kent County Community Center in Worton, MD. The show features Ernie Green’s “Born Again Gospel Jazz Ensemble,” Lester Barrett, Brian Black, the Gospel Inspirations, Gospel Comedians and more. The event is produced by S and B Productions.

To participate in this historic campaign please contribute today via PayPal or mail in a pledge form from the website: http://www.kentcountyartscouncil.org/charles-sumner-post/.

To follow the progress of this project LIKE the Charles Sumner Post #25 Facebook Page.
http://www.facebook.com/CharlesSumnerPost

Kent County Arts Council is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization founded in 1973. KCAC helps fund, support and produce the arts in Kent County, Maryland. Funded by the Maryland State Arts Council, the Commissioners of Kent County, foundations and private citizens, KCAC supports community events, school cultural arts presentations and individual artists.

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Kent County Arts Council is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization founded in 1973. KCAC helps fund, support and produce the arts in Kent County, Maryland. Funded by the Maryland State Arts Council, the Commissioners of Kent County, foundations and private citizens, KCAC supports community events, school cultural arts presentations and individual artists.