Have you ever wanted to know the haunted history of Maryland? On October 29, over 150 haunted history enthusiasts gathered around for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute’s SPARK Haunted History: Maryland’s Witches and Ghosts to learn about the spookier side of Maryland. With each tale of folklore from across the state, the audience was transported from one era to the next.
The Story of Black Aggie
Jennifer Liles kicked off the event with stories of her childhood in Highlandtown. Stories of ouija boards and connecting with spirits, going to cemeteries at night to channel a figure from the past, and the history of Anne Frank set the mood for the story of Black Aggie. The mystique surrounding the funerary sculpture known as Black Aggie transported the audience into the early 1900’s where Jennifer shared the history of Marian “Clover” Adams, the women Black Aggie is sculpted after. After her untimely demise, Marian’s husband Henry Adams, has a statue made in her honor. Little did he know the constant chaos her statue would bring about. Legend warns not to stare into her eyes or you will go blind.
The History of Marcia Crocker Noyes
Meg Fielding continued the theme of Baltimore-based ghosts tales with the story of Marcia Crocker Noyes, the resident ghost living in the Maryland State Medical Society’s building in Baltimore’s Midtown-Belvedere neighborhood. Marcia was a librarian first working at the Enoch Pratt Free Library before moving onto The Maryland State Medical Society. Decades after her death, Marcia can still be found “helping” around the Maryland State Medical Society’s building placing books here she feels fit or taking a stroll down the hallway. While many have come and gone in the Maryland State Medical Society’s building, Marcia has found her “forever home” and shows no signs of leaving it behind.
Colonial Maryland’s Witchcraft Laws and Overthrown Women
Amanda Hughes took the audience back to Maryland’s colonial era, back to a time when witch hunts were underway and suspected witches faced less than favorable endings. The audience was surprised to find out the Maryland’s oldest “witch laws” dates back to 1604 with the Witchcraft Act of 1604. Tales of women such as Joan Mitchell and Katherine Prout who were accused of witchcraft. Katherine was known to cause a scene in court, and was fined 100 pounds of tobacco for her her misbehavior and for her saucy language. Amanda shifted gears and took the audience to the high seas where Mary Lee and Sarah McDaniel were accused of causing “unknown tragedies” during their journey to colonial Maryland, causing them to be thrown overboard.
This event was made possible by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Towson University. Osher provides learning opportunities to expand knowledge, gain insights into current events, and access social and cultural activities, including SPARK—an evening program for curious minds that explores fun and intriguing topics in a relaxed environment.
