Annapolis Maritime Museum Abstracts
Lester Trott
Lester Trott lives in Eastport and has a lot of knowledge regarding the Chance’s boatyard. Lester aids the interviewer, Mike, in retelling the boatyard’s history, which is going to help Mike with his own project. First, Lester discusses Dick Miller, one of his relatives who has relevant knowledge. Lester also delves into the Atwell family’s bitterness after they lost the Chance property in the 1930’s. Lester tells Charlie Chance’s story, communicating that he developed the entire yard and lost it to the federal government during the Great Depression. In the end, Mike is grateful for all of this information and tells Lester that he will reach out again if he has more questions.
Al Luckenbach
Al Luckenbach has knowledge regarding the geographic area where Benjamin and Samuel Ogle may have been buried. Mike Miron is trying to understand their burial, especially Benjamin Ogle’s, and reaches out to Al for help. Al tells Mike that Benjamin had two farms and died in a lot of debt to his mother. Al doesn’t know where Benjamin was buried but guesses that it was in the church or Saint Anne’s cemetery. Al laments about how a family cemetery could have been established at Horn Point but he doesn’t know for sure. Mike explains that they are drafting plans for the campsite near the gravesite. The two of them realize that they have narrowed down options but have not solved the mystery regarding the burial.
Arlene Wells
Arlene Wells lives in Annapolis and is working on a family history project. The project’s goal is to help Arlene understand her family’s history with Eastport as a central point. First, Arlene discusses multiple family members who move in and out of Eastport, but always find their way back to the city. Arlene also acknowledges the fact that she is grateful that Eastport properties have stayed within the family, since she knows that does not always happen when generations evolve. Arlene then moves on to discuss her grandfather, a kind man who opened a sweetshop and bought rental homes. Arlene recounts his desire for her to succeed on her own terms rather than rely upon his success. Throughout the interview, Arlene expressed a deep love for her family, her life in Eastport, and the church, which anchors families to the Eastport neighborhood and helps create the community that Arlene loves.
