There is much to be said about rich heritage throughout Harford County, from our restaurants and shops that honor culture, to the museums and events that honor Harford’s history. We invite you to Harford County to experience Harford’s history and the culture that it embodies today.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
The month of May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and what better way to celebrate and recognize this culture than through the authentic cuisine at Uncle’s Hawaiian Grindz. Taste the authentic dishes from Spam Musubi to Poke Tacos to Kalua Pig Lumpia. Head out to the Tiki Bar to enjoy music and traditional Hawaiian dancing, which is sure to make your experience of rich Hawaiian culture a memorable one. Be sure to also check out Little Maui's Adventures at the Cultural Center at the Opera House this month!
African American History
This month, multiple events are taking place at The Hays-Heighe House at Harford Community College. Recognized as a National Park Service Network to Freedom site, the house in where Sam Archer escaped enslavement from the property to make it to Pennsylvania in 1860. Today, the site offers tours, exhibits, and programs. The talks being hosted at the Hays-Heighe House are sure to teach of the courage and valiant efforts Sam Archer and many others, who are highlighted in the Harford Civil Rights Project's oral histories being presented in this series.
The Havre de Grace Decoy Museum
Celebrating the rich heritage in Harford County also comes in the form of our decoys and wildlife art. The Havre de Grace Decoy Museum, located in the Decoy Capital of the World, hosts their annual Decoy Festival, this year celebrating its 41st annual festival from May 5-7th. The museum is open year-round for tours and the ability to check out some of the rarest and most valuable decoys in the world. The vintage and contemporary waterfowl decoys and their creation play an important role in Harford County and bring another layer of history. Stop in to check out the decoys and the craftsmanship that goes into making some of the best in the world!
The Havre de Grace Maritime Museum
As we continue to celebrate Harford's heritage, we have to honor the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum, which features exhibits and programs interpreting the rich maritime heritage and culture of both the Upper Chesapeake Bay and Lower Susquehanna River. The Maritime Museums recent exhibit, “Underground Railroad: Other Voice of Freedom,” has also been recognized as a Network of Freedom program. Havre de Grace’s Maritime Museum highlights Daniel Hughes use of the Chesapeake Bay & Susquehanna River in his efforts toward freedom. Stop by the museum for a better understanding of Harford County’s role in providing a path to freedom, starting with acquiring boats for freedom along the Havre de Grace waterfront.
The Pride of Baltimore’s Arrival
Continuing to tie in the maritime heritage, is the arrival of the Pride of Baltimore in Havre de Grace. For the first weekend in June, you can take part in a public deck tour. This type of ship provided great assistance during the War of 1812, during the time in which Havre de Grace was under attack by the British.
Being able to experience and relive some of these times from our past can certainly set a solid foundation for what Harford can accomplish in the future.
