Caroline County Historical Society 250th Summer Art Challenge

Help celebrate this Semiquincentennial summer by 
creating a piece of Caroline County's history!

The Caroline County Historical Society is thrilled to launch an innovative art challenge for all Eastern Shore artists and makers during our nation's 250th Birthday!  We are inviting artists to use a surplus copy of the 1897 Saulsbury Map and book Origins of Caroline County, Maryland From Land Plats - Volume II by local historian Eleanor Horsey, and breathe new life into them for a county-wide art challenge.  All artwork will be exhibited at the Museum of Rural Life during the two days of Summer Fest this August 21st & 22nd!

Registration fee: $10

Registration begins on May 2nd, 2026 at the Novel Idea Book Fair at 4-H Park (8230 Detour Rd, Denton, MD 21629) , and ends on August 13, 2026.

Each registrant receives base materials of:

- A 1897 Saulsbury map

- A copy of the book     

Artists can use any medium to transform their base materials. All entries must be suitable for a general audience. See an example of a project below.

All artwork must be submitted by 2:45 PM on August 15, 2026, so that the display can be completed in time for Summer Fest, held August 21 and 22, 2026 in Denton, MD.  The display of the artworks will be at the Museum of Rural Life during Summer Fest.

Once you have registered for the event, you may pick up your map and book at the Museum of Rural Life on Thursdays between 2 PM - 4 PM or between 11 AM - 2:45 PM on Saturdays from May 7 through August 13, 2026. 

If you cannot come during those hours, please contact us at email address below to arrange an alternate pick-up time.

For additional information or registration inquiries, please contact Kathy Holden at: museumofrurallife@gmail.com