As much as we love being out on the Chesapeake Bay, we have a lot of projects underway when our feet are dry. In the off-season, Capt. Tilghman focuses on his artwork. In addition to his landscape paintings and portraits, Tilghman is at work on another big sculptural piece — the creation of a bronze sculpture of a black Civil War Soldier, honoring more than 400 members of the United States Colored Troops from Queen Anne’s County who fought for their nation’s freedom. This piece was commissioned by the Veterans of Queen Anne’s County, and is expected to be completed in time for the 250th anniversy of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, in July 2026.
Marcia works as project manager to support those artistic efforts, and she is the resident beekeeper at Wye Island. This winter, she built additional “bee furniture” needed at the Wye Island apiary, where she keeps as many as six colonies of bees.
Art, Writing, and More
The model in Civil War Attire.
The Bees are buzzing at Wye Island.
Redemption - In Bronze
Last August 2024, the Veterans of Queen Anne’s County asked Capt. Tilghman Hemsley to create a bronze sculpture of an African American soldier who fought in the Civil War. More than 400 Black men from Queen Anne’s County, both free and enslaved, enlisted in the United States Colored Troops, fighting valiantly for the cause of freedom. This monument, the veterans said, would be the way for “veterans to honor veterans.”
The sculpture will stand six and a half feet tall, resting upon a 30-inch marble or granite base, to be inscribed with the names of those Queen Anne’s County Colored Troops — many of whose descendants still live in Maryland.
A young teacher and artist from Baltimore, Clifford Mason, spent several hours in the studio, posing as Capt. Tilghman created the clay macquette in one-quarter scale.
Donations toward the project may be directed toward Capt. Tilghman’s non-profit charitable organization, American Patriotic Monuments, Inc., 202 Banjo Lane, Centreville, MD 21617.
Beezin’ Thru Honey
About three years ago, we introduced a couple of colonies of bees at Capt. Tilghman’s home on Wye Island to help pollinate the garden that provides much of the summer produce that we serve to you on board. The honey that we have harvested from those colonies has been a big hit with our clients, and many of you have asked to purchase extra jars to enjoy at home. Here is your chance.
Last summer, we harvested a bumper crop of honey and we can now offer a limited number of 9-ounce, 12-ounce, and 16-ounce jars of Beezin’ Thru Honey for $12, $15, and $20, respectively. If you are interested in purchasing honey, please contact my mate/beekeeper, Marcia Landskroener, at 410-699-1026, and we can arrange to get it to you while supplies last.
A Brief History of the Breezin’ Thru.
Queen of the chesapeake
Last year marked the 75th anniversary of the Breezin’ Thru, built in Rock Hall for Capt. Harry Carter by Andrew J. “Bubsy” Stevens. Stevens happens to be the great-grandfather of Marcia Landskroener, a writer and editor in a previous life who now works for Capt. Tilghman aboard the Breezin’ Thru. To commemorate the occasion, Marcia wrote a short history of the boat, “Queen of the Chesapeake.” Copies are available for purchase, for $10 each. To get your copy, come aboard or email mlandskroener@gmail.com.