Anniversary festivities in Cowes included the opening  of a new display about the Ark and the Dove at the  Classic Boat Museum.  Guests at the opening included,  from left, volunteers Felix Hetherington and Rosemary  Joy, Lt Irish Sirmons from the U.S. Embassy, Regina  Faden from Historic St. Mary's City, and volunteer  John Askham.  Photo courtesy of Peter Lloyd.

Historic St. Mary’s City executive director Regina Faden represented Lord Baltimores’ New World venture at the festivities. The English event kicks off the yearlong anniversary celebration of the ships’ voyage 375 years ago and the settlement of Maryland. In their new home, the immigrants participated in a bold experiment, to establish a society where freedom of religion was both law and practice.

The 2008 celebration is third time that citizens of Maryland and West and East Cowes have joined to celebrate their mutual heritage. In 1933 and 1983, events on both sides of the Atlantic marked the 300th and 350th anniversaries. Representatives from both sides of the Atlantic hope to reaffirm their cultural ties and to begin working more closely together in on-going educational programming and events.

The event’s program included speeches by Mayor George Banks of West Cowes and Mayor Margaret Lloyd of East Cowes. George Chastney, a member of Cowes Heritage, recounted the story of Lord Baltimore and his plan for religious freedom in Maryland.

Chastney was followed by former BBC broadcaster, Kenneth Kendall, who read excerpts from Father Andrew White’s account of the Ark and Dove’s voyage across the Atlantic.

Banks noted that the departure of the brave souls to Maryland is important part of the town’s history which indelibly joined England and the United States, “… together in the peace and friendship we know today.”  In acknowledgement of this long standing friendship, the Cowes Concert Band played both the US and British national anthems.

During the festive reception following the ceremony, Lt. Irish Sirmons, graduate of the Naval Academy at Annapolis and representative of the American Ambassador, presented an American flag to the people of Cowes. Faden, presented prints of the Dove and St. Mary’s City in the 17th century.

Participants in the event were enthusiastic about their cross-Atlantic relationship.  “We are looking forward to sharing our expertise and resources to tell the story of the founding of Maryland and Lord Baltimore’s vision of a society without religious prejudice,” remarked Faden.  “The journey that began here in Cowes not only changed the lives of the immigrants, but also charted a new path in democratic government.”