SPARK! at UMES

SPARK! Places of Innovation explores the unique combination of places, people, and circumstances that sparks innovation and invention in rural communities. The SPARK! tour will visit six communities in different regions throughout Maryland from May 17, 2025 to March 1, 2026 and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is one of them! The exhibit will be at the Frederick Douglass Library from January 17 through March 1, 2026. 

Selected sites will host the Smithsonian exhibit, work with local partners in their community, and create additional programming to support the exhibit. UMES and its partners are hard at work creating companion programming! Check back regularly for updates.
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SPARK! has been made possible in the state by Maryland Humanities. SPARK! is part of the Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and state humanities councils. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.

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Exhibit Hours:

The SPARK! exhibit will be open to the public during library hours. The Frederick Douglass Library is open:

Days	January 17th - 25th	January 26th - March 1st
Monday-Thursday	7:30am - 5pm	7:30am - 10:00pm
Friday	7:30am - 5pm	7:30am - 5pm
Saturday	Closed	10:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday	Closed	3:00pm - 10:00pm

Note: The Frederick Douglass Library will be closed on Monday, January 19th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and reopen on Tuesday, January 20th. 

Events & Programming:

Marshmallow Igloo | January 14, 2026 at 2pm ​

• Location: Crisfield Library, 100 Collins St, Crisfield, MD 21817.
• Part of the Somerset County Library "Homeschool S.T.E.A.M." Program.
• Test your engineering skills with this yummy challenge! 
• Call or visit the library to register.

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​​SPARK! Exhibit at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore | January 17, 2026 - March 1, 2026

• Location: Frederick Douglass Library at UMES,  11868 College Backbone Rd, Princess Anne, MD 21853 
• Spark! Places of Innovation explores the unique combination of places, people, and circumstances that sparks innovation and invention in rural communities.
• Open to the public during library hours.

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Snowstorm in a Jar | January 26, 2026 at 2pm ​

• Location: Princess Anne Library, 11767 Beechwood St, Princess Anne, MD 21853.
• Part of the Somerset County Library "Homeschool S.T.E.A.M." Program.
• Create a snowstorm using just a few materials and learn what reactions cause it.
• Call or visit the library to register.

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​3D Printing Workshop | January 28, 2026 at 11am ​

• Location: Princess Anne Library, 11767 Beechwood St, Princess Anne, MD 21853.
• Learn about the different types of 3D printing.
• Discover where to find free files to print and even create your own!

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Snowstorm in a Jar | January 28, 2026 at 2pm ​

• Location: Crisfield Library, 100 Collins St, Crisfield, MD 21817.
• Part of the Somerset County Library "Homeschool S.T.E.A.M." Program.
• Create a snowstorm using just a few materials and learn what reactions cause it.
• Call or visit the library to register.

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Coding with Splats! | February 2, 2026 at 2pm ​

• Location: Princess Anne Library, 11767 Beechwood St, Princess Anne, MD 21853.
• Part of the Somerset County Library "Homeschool S.T.E.A.M." Program.
• Learn about coding in a fun way with Unruly Splats! 
• Call or visit the library to register.

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Coding with Splats! | February 4, 2026 at 2pm ​

• Location: Crisfield Library, 100 Collins St, Crisfield, MD 21817.
• Part of the Somerset County Library "Homeschool S.T.E.A.M." Program.
• Learn about coding in a fun way with Unruly Splats! 
• Call or visit the library to register.

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Heart A Stack | February 9, 2026 at 2pm ​

• Location: Princess Anne Library, 11767 Beechwood St, Princess Anne, MD 21853.
• Part of the Somerset County Library "Homeschool S.T.E.A.M." Program.
• Try to build the tallest tower of candy hearts in this Minute to Win It challenge!
• Call or visit the library to register.

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Heart A Stack | February 11, 2026 at 2pm ​

• Location: Crisfield Library, 100 Collins St, Crisfield, MD 21817.
• Part of the Somerset County Library "Homeschool S.T.E.A.M." Program.
• Try to build the tallest tower of candy hearts in this Minute to Win It challenge!
• Call or visit the library to register.

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Genealogy Workshop | February 18, 2026 at 11am ​

• Location: Princess Anne Library, 11767 Beechwood St, Princess Anne, MD 21853.
• Participants will begin researching family history & ancestry.
• Registration is required. 

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• Genealogy Workshop | February 19, 2026 at 11am ​
  • Location: Crisfield Library, 100 Collins St, Crisfield, MD 21817.
  • Participants will begin researching family history & ancestry.
  • Registration is required. ​​

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Contact: