H. Robins “Bob” Hollyday (1898-1981), photographed Eastern Shore people and places from land, water, and air through much of the 20th century, and now his work is being featured in a new temporary exhibition in St. Michaels, Md.
With photographs drawn from the Hollyday collection of Easton’s Talbot Historical Society, Maritime Talbot County: Photographs by H. Robins Hollyday opens to the general public on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 in the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s Van Lennep Auditorium and continues through October 16, 2016.
Beginning in 1929, Hollyday teamed with Talbot County’s most well-known aviator, Malcom Hathaway, to capture aerial views of the county. Hollyday would hang out of the open cockpit plane with a large, cumbersome camera to take his photographs. He photographed properties from the air for the area’s realtors, captured events for local businesses and society, and documented the region’s culture.
“Hollyday’s photographs reflect a distinct sense of place, and in Talbot County, which claims 600 miles of shoreline, that character is closely intertwined with the water,” says CBMM Chief Curator Pete Lesher. “In these images, Hollyday documented the area’s waterborne transportation and recreation, waterside industry, and fisheries.”
“We’re very pleased to be working with the historical society on this project,” said CBMM President Kristen Greenaway. “While Hollyday’s work is focused on Talbot County, it is an excellent representation of the entire Chesapeake region for many to appreciate and enjoy.”
The museum is open daily throughout the exhibition dates and is free for CBMM members and on weekdays in February, or with general museum admission.
For more information, visit www.cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.
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Maurice Horn says
Our family made many trips on this ferry, and the ferry service from Annapolis/Sandy Point to Kent Island during the WWII era. We were a Baltimore family, and the short trip from there to Annapolis in our car saved on rationed gas and tires (I still have some ration stamps in my collection). The other short trip to Romancoke, after debarking at Kent Island, provided the same savings. I loved riding the ferry, with the vibrating hum of the engines, watching the crews man the gates and ramps, and there were always the most delicious hot-dogs a person could ever eat (was it the salt air and environment after being in Baltimore). In those days, the Captain would allow visitors to the bridge and I have a photo somewhere of mt steering the Harrington. When we debarked at Claiborne, there was only a mile drive to our destination, Maple Hall – where I spent many summers swimming, boating, crabbing and fishing. I learned to sail there under an old man named Mordiqui Cockey, and our excursions to St. Michaels, and by donkey-drawn hay wagon to Pot Pie for ice cream, were every kids dream come true. We hated to leave after summers end, and when we did, all the remaining guests at Maple Hall would gather at the Claiborne slip to sing our signature song “Oh Cut ‘Er Down” as a farewell. Thank you for the photo and write-up – and, of course, the memories of a day gone bye. CDR M. D. Horn, USN (Ret), Charleston, SC