Frederick Douglass Mural

Perdue Building - West Salisbury
513 West Main Street, Salisbury, MD 21801
Muralist: We Are Limitless Studios

On the evening of February 24th, 1880, Frederick Douglass gave a lecture at the Wicomico County Courthouse which had been built just two years prior. The lecture was based on Douglass's "Self-Made Men" lecture that was first delivered in 1859. In this speech, Douglass defined what he held to be the definition of a self-made man: one that perseveres through challenges to make themself successful through their own initiative and efforts. Tickets to Douglass's speech were sold for fifty cents each from February 15th up to the 23rd and the funds were used to add a second story to the John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church (today known as the Chipman Cultural Center). This second floor was reportedly used as class room space to educate the children of the local Black community in Salisbury. 

This legendary figure's visit to Salisbury has been a forgotten piece of our history which has recently seen greater recognition with the Preservation Trust of Wicomico leading an effort to have a commemorative bronze plaque installed at the courthouse to commemorate the lecture. However, it is important to not let this moment in history fade into obscurity. Not only did Frederick Douglass contribute to American history through his leadership in the abolitionist and early civil rights movements, but his spirit is reflected in our local Black communities. The theme of "Self-Made Men" is one that can be seen in the Black communities of the Eastern Shore, like the historic Georgetown community in Salisbury, which strove for and achieved success in the face of adversity. 

Crisfield Mural

Tawes Mini Storage - Crisfield
618 West Main Street, Crisfield, MD 21817 
Muralist: Michael Rosato 

Crisfield's mural depicts seventeen prominent members of Crisfield ranging from the city's first Black physician to the last barber of a century old barbershop. These monumental figures have made contributions that left a lasting impact on Crisfield and its people, fundamentally helping shape the community into what it is today.

Grafton Norvana Williams Sr (1924 – 2007)

Frederick Jewett

Mervin D. Christy (1910 – 1994)

Grafton Williams was born in Crisfield where he received his education and served his community through the police force. He was employed through the Crisfield Police Department, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, and the Patuxent Correctional Institution. He also served in the U.S. Army for a time. In addition, Williams also made a name for himself as a local entrepreneur and for taking on the role of the “Grand Marshal” in the National Hard Crab Derby for over 34 years. As the “Crab Capital of the World,” this crab themed Labor Day weekend event is a local favorite and important symbol of Crisfield pride.  ​

Frederick Jewett was the Black entrepreneur who fundamentally changed the seafood industry. Raised on his family’s farm in Hopewell, Somerset County, Jewett spent the growing season working the fields of Hopewell and the winter shucking oysters for John L. Blades in St. Micheals. In 1902, Jewett took out a loan of $500 from a Crisfield bank and started his own seafood business with business partner William Coulbourne. Coulbourne and Jewett Seafood Packing Company saw great success due to two changes introduced by Jewett. The first was the decision to shift from seasonal operation to year-round packing of seafood. The second was the classification of crab meat into the iconic categories we know today such as lump, claw, and backfin. These changes not only turned Coulbourne and Jewett into St. Michaels largest employer for over five decades, but also forever altered the seafood industry. These changes not only outlasted the company, but it also helped popularize crab meat, which had played second fiddle to oyster in the early 20th century.  ​

​Mervin Christy was the first African American skipjack owner in America. Originally from Burgess, Virginia, Christy worked as a waterman throughout his life dredging up oysters and bringing in crabs until his retirement in 1971. He earned several awards from Maryland governors and was a waterman until his retirement. His boat, the 42 foot-long Bernice J., was the pride of his life and was built in 1904 by W. Thomas Young of Parksley, Virginia. Bernice J. survives today as one of 36 traditional Chesapeake Bay skipjacks currently used as a floating classroom for educational programs at the Echo Hill Outdoor School in Chestertown, MD.

Dr. Winter Julius Barkley (1883 – 1946)

Glenwood Barkley (1903 - 1987)

Harland Cottman (1915 - 2007)

Dr. Winter Barkley was the first Black physician in Crisfield and at the time of his passing in 1946 was the only Black physician in Somerset County. Born near Eden, MD, Dr. Barkley first attended Princess Anne Academy (which became the University of Maryland Eastern Shore) and then earned his MD degree from Howard University in 1911. Afterwards, he returned to Crisfield where he worked as a physician as well as a pharmacist for 34 years. In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Barkley worked as a farmer with his brother, Glenwood Barkley, to supplement his income. It was during this time that Dr, Barkley became known for his kindness and dedication to helping others. He never turned away a patient even if they could not afford the visit and he was well respected by both the Black and White community. Dr. Barkley spent his last moments helping his community, passing of a heart attack while doing house calls in 1946. His funeral was one of the largest in Crisfield history. In 2020, his nephew, Elmer Barkley, commissioned a mural honoring Dr. Winter Barkley and his brother Glenwood. ​

Glenwood Barkley, brother of Dr. Winter Barkley, attended Princess Anne Academy (now the University of Maryland Eastern Shore) and then left to farm and deliver farm produce. He delivered to various cities across the East Coast such as New York, Baltimore, and many other cities throughout the South. Barkley continued farming until he was in his 70s. Today, his son, Elmer Barkley, has a home that sits on what was the family farmland. In 2020 Elmer Barkley commissioned a mural depicting his uncle Dr. Winter Barkley and his father Glenwood with the farm in the background.  ​

Harland Cottman was a second-generation barber at the Cottman Barbershop in Crisfield opened by his father Marion Cottman after moving to Crisfield. When Harland was 24, Marion passed away and left the shop in his care. Harland was proud of his family’s barbershop and continued to cut hair inside of the old building, despite being able to afford a new shop, to honor his family’s efforts to open the shop. He cherished his time as a barber as it helped him feel connected to his community and the barbering tradition was carried on by his son Pyeth Vernel Cottman.  ​

Apostle Pyeth “Vernel” Cottman (1934 – )

Anthony Eldridge Ward Sr. (1933 – 2012)

Dr. Sara Miles Woods (1921 – 2022)

Apostle Pyeth Cottman, known as Vernel by Crisfield residents, has a long history in the city. He was a third-generation barber at his family’s barbershop starting at the age of 15 when Vernel decided to stay in the family business. The Cottman Barbershop was one of the first Black barbershops in Crisfield when it was founded in the late 19th - early 20th century by Vernel’s grandfather Marion. By the time of Vernel’s retirement in 2012, the shop was over a century old. Vernel credits his time as a barber as being his greatest learning experience due to the role teaching him vital team building and community engagement skills. These skills proved useful throughout Vernel’s life helping the community. One moment these skills were put to use was when Vernel participated in a sit in with football players in Annapolis during the Civil Rights movement. These skills again proved useful when Cottman founded the Blancia Rose Faith and Healing Chapel alongside his wife Lynette. Currently, he also serves as president of the board of directors at It Takes a Village to Help Our Children where he continues to serve his community as he has been since his barbershop days.  

Anthony Ward Sr. was a successful business man, veteran, and civil rights activist from Crisfield. After his graduation from Carter G. Woodson High School in 1951, Ward joined the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War for three years. Upon his return, Ward secured a position at Getty Oil Refinery in Delaware City and worked there until 1959 when he made a life changing decision. Against the advice of his peers, Ward left the company to pursue his dream of becoming a mortician. Using his G.I. benefits from his service, Ward enrolled in Eckel’s College of Mortuary Science and became an apprentice at Wilson’s Funeral Home in Baltimore. By 1960, Ward became a licensed mortician in the State of Maryland and opened his own funeral home in Crisfield, followed by a second location in Princess Anne. Apart from his funeral home business, Ward Sr. was also active in public office. In the 1960s he became the first Black city councilman in Crisfield and also participated in the civil rights that helped desegregate the city. This included hosting Freedom Riders when they came to the city. Today, Anthony Ward Funeral Home continues operating under the leadership of Ward’s son, Anthony Ward Jr.  ​

Dr. Sara Miles Woods was born in her grandmother’s home in St Michaels. In Crisfield, she received her early education and then attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree. Woods followed this up with a Master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania. To top off her education, Woods also received a Doctorate from Illinois Institue of Technology. Dr. Woods put this education to good use as a secondary school teacher and then a professor of chemistry at Roosevelt University where she imparted her knowledge to students for 27 years. It was also here that Dr. Woods served as the director of African, Afro-American, and Black studies. She was also on loan to NIH for cancer research. After her retirement in 2009, Dr. Woods returned to her childhood home of Crisfield where she made a $50,000 contribution to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to establish the Mrs. Marguerite Daugherty Miles and Mr. Howard S. K. Miles Scholarship, named in honor of her parents.  ​

Roland H. Brown Sr. (1931 - 1992)

Catherine Brown (1935 – 2019)

Bishop Mary Louse Lane (1928 – 1997)

Roland H. Brown Sr. was born, raised, and educated in Crisfield. Before graduating from Crisfield Colored High School, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and earned his G.E.D. while in the military. In his 20 years of service Brown fought in Korea and Vietnam and earned several awards. After the end of his service in 1972, he returned home and worked several jobs. Brown even tried to volunteer in the all-white fire department, but was unable to get the required two members to sponsor him, reportedly due to his age. This led to Brown encouraging young Black men to join the fire department. until deciding to enroll as a student at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore using his V.A. benefits and graduated with a Bachelor's of Arts in Industrial Arts and Technology. Brown briefly secured a job in New York, but finding the traffic intolerable, returned home to Crisfield to teach industrial arts for 10 years at Carter G. Woodson Middle School. In 1986 Brown ran for city council and served as a councilman until his final moments, where he strove for equality for all citizens and was instrumental in getting more Black officers in the local police force. 

Catherine A. Brown, originally from New York City, was a woman renowned for her academic prowess and service to Crisfield’s community. From an early age, Brown received recognition for her academic achievements and went on to earn a master’s degree from Hunter College. She shared her knowledge with other, teaching in NYC for 23 years and then an additional 12 years at Sarah Peyton Elementary in Marion, MD, after moving to Crisfield with her husband Roland Brown. In Crisfield, she held several positions in public office from 1992 until 2006 including city council member, vice president, and the mayor’s office. Brown was also on the board of the Somerset County branch of the NAACP where she became part of the historic “Somerset Six” credited for the passage of the “No Representation without Population Act” of 2010. ​

Bishop Mary Lane was a motherly figure who dedicated her life to serving the church and her community. Her dedication to the church was a lifelong endeavor. She began at Hopewell Methodist Church and then became a member of Enon Baptist Church for over 40 years.  During her religious journey, Lane worked her way from usher to evangelist and then to pastor in the 1960s. This made lane the first female pastor of any denominational church on the Eastern Shore. However, her journey did not end there. Under the tutelage of Bishop Margaret Johnson, she became an ordained bishop in 1994. Bishop Lane faced many challenges during her life. In addition to raising five children of her own, she stepped up and raised the children of her sister Margaret when she passed early. She also confronted problems with her health. In 1966 she won her battle against cancer. A decade later, in 1977, she survived severe blood loss from what was described as a “bodily attack.” Another decade later, she complications from a ruptured appendix caused her to suffer a stroke, which forced her to take a break from her duties. Despite these hardships posed to her, she overcame and continued providing assistance and guidance to those around her. ​

Dorothy Mae Holden

Kinsey Brown (c.1866 - 1952)

Bishop George “Shanley” Jackson (1933 – 2019)

Dorothy Holden was the pastor at Holiness Christian Church, also referred to as Highway Holiness Church, in Crisfield. One of 12 children, she helped establish Highway Holiness with her husband, Frederick Arthur Holden, in 1968. The community pitched in during the early establishment of the church, offering their time and labor. Many of these kind souls refused to take payment for their services, so to give back to the community that offered their help, Highway Holiness began hosting their annual "Love Fest" celebration which grew into a large, successful family friendly event. Upon Frederick's passing in 1974, she temporarily assumed the role of pastor until a replacement could be found. This temporarily role ended becoming a permanent role and she remained pastor for over 40 years.  

Kinsey Brown was a waterman, carpenter, entrepreneur, master builder, and land owner who moved to Crisfield in the late 19th century where he began to carve out a prosperous life for himself and his family. Despite only having six years of formal education, Brown quickly learned and developed his carpentry skills as well as architecture. He became known as a reputable builder who was sought after by many Black congregations to construct their places of worship across the eastern shores of Maryland and Virginia. Many of these buildings still stand, including St. Paul's AME Church and Shiloh United Methodist Church. Brown raised a total of 13 children in his life, two from his first marriage to Carrie Miles, eight from his second marriage to Blanch, and three stepsons. Many of his descendants continue to reside in the Crisfield area including Vernel Cottman who has been inspired by his great uncle and hopes to construct a new church within his life-time.  ​

Known as Bishop Shanley to the community, George Jackson wore many hats in his life. He spent nine years working as a bus driver for Shore Up Inc., was a plumber for ten years, and worked in several positions for the City of Crisfield for seventeen years. Jackson even worked as a butler and chauffer for a family in Philadelphia. In 1967 he experienced a religious awakening that set him on a path in the ordained ministry. In 1969 Shanley became an Elder, and in 1970 became pastor at Highway Holiness Church. In 1994 he became an ordained bishop, his most iconic and recognized role. Bishop Jackson was also the founder and overseer of the Charity Holiness Deliverance Center for 46 years. For his many achievements in life, Jackson was awarded the keys to the city on his 80th birthday in 2013 by Mayor P.J. Purnell.  ​

Pastor Elsie Collier (1944 – 2022)

Dr. Harrison DeWayne Whittington (1931 – 2012)

Pastor Elsie Collier was a strong woman of faith who helped establish the Help Our Children Foundation in 1992 and the Faith, Hope and Charity Ministries in Crisfield. Help Our Children provided vital support for troubled children in the area with Collier organizing programs to provide seminars, arts & crafts, alcohol & drug counselling, sports & recreation opportunities, field trips, and mentoring for these children in need. The organization continues to aid children after merging with It Takes a Village Organization Inc. in 2009. In 1993 Pastor Collier was inducted into the NAACP Community Service Hall of Fame for her contributions to the Black community. She also received accolades from the Maryland Govenor in the form of a Certificate of Recognition and from the Maylor of Crisfield with the Certificate of Appreciation. Collier also saw great success in fundraising, securing $1.5 million in capital funding for the construction of the Dr. H. DeWayne Whitting Multicultural Center.   ​

Dr. H. DeWayne Whittington was an extremely accomplished man who spent nearly 40 years in the Somerset County Public Schools system and many years as a professor at University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Raised by his grandparents in Crisfield Maryland where he began his long academic journey. After graduating from Crisfield Colored School in 1948 he earned a bachelor’s degree from Morgan State College in 1952. Afterwards, was inducted in the U.S. Army and served for two years, entering as a first lieutenant and exiting as a captain. In 1954 Whittington began his extensive career in education. He started at Crisfield Colored High School, which was now known as Carter G. Woodson School, as a P.E. teacher and coach. In 1962 he became the principal of CGWS and continued working his way up the career ladder. In 1981 Whittington became the first Black assistant superintendent in Somerset County and seven years later he became the first Black superintendent in the county. At the same time, Whittington continued adding degrees to his belt, receiving his Master’s degree from Penn State University in 1961 and his Doctorate from Nova University in 1980. For his academic excellence, Dr. Whittington earned a spot in the UMES Hall of Fame and also has his portrait at the Reginal F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore.  ​

Ocean City Mural

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