Sotterley Presents: People & Perspectives - Remembered by the Wind

September 24, 2025 – In 2012, a massive storm ripped through Charles County, ripping a tree and waterpipe from the ground on Serenity Farm in Benedict, Maryland. Years prior, the farm’s family of owners had found a human skull buried in that same place, so the storm’s damage presented an opportunity to deep dive into the archaeology. The result was not only the recovery of a lost African American slave burial site, but Serenity Farm stepping forward as private citizens to preserve and honor both the history and the recovery of ancestry. Join us for this incredible event to watch a documentary about the discovery and hear from Franklin Robinson, owner of Serenity Farm, Kathryn Barrett-Gaines, professor of Africa-centered history at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Dorothea Smith, President of the African American Heritage Society of Charles County, as they discuss a process of discovery and preservation that closely mirrors Historic Sotterley’s own efforts.

This is a FREE hybrid event, meaning participants can join us in-person OR virtually. Registration is required.

n-person participants are welcome to join us for a pre-reception at 6:30pm with cookies and drinks.

​​​​​​​Franklin A. Robinson, Jr. is a life-long member of St. Thomas’ Parish and has served as parish historian since 1995. An archivist at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History, he is also the chair of the Charles County Historic Preservation Commission in Southern Maryland. Mr. Robinson has received numerous awards for his commitment to historic preservation including The Maryland Historical Trust’s Preservation Service Award and the Prince George’s County Historical Society’s St. George’s Day Award. He is a contributor to Exhibits in Archives and Special Collections Libraries published by the Society of American Archivists. He has authored many finding aids, monographs, and was a contributing author to the award-winning The Naylors of Woodborough. He is also a professional actor, produced playwright, and adjunct faculty at George Mason University.

Kathryn Barrett-Gaines is a dynamic scholar, educator, and performer whose career bridges academia, international engagement, and the arts. A Washington DC native, she holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Ph.D. from Stanford, and has earned prestigious awards like the Fulbright and Rotary scholarships for research in Uganda, where she also thrived as a musician, columnist, and media personality. Currently a tenured professor at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, she teaches African diaspora history and promotes student civic and global involvement. Her eclectic past includes teaching at every level, publishing on Ugandan history, winning academic honors, and performing stand-up comedy at the Apollo, all while maintaining a vibrant presence in both U.S. and Ugandan cultural spaces.

Dorothea Smith, a dedicated educator and civic leader, began her impactful 30-year teaching career in 1965 after earning both Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees from Bowie State University. A highly recognized middle school language arts instructor, she received prestigious honors such as the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award and the Charles County Teacher of the Year Award. Beyond the classroom, she served in leadership roles within the Education Association of Charles County and represented faculty at John Hanson Middle School. Since retiring, Smith has continued to shape her community through service on multiple advisory boards and organizations, including the African American Heritage Society of Charles County, the Charles County Retired School Personnel Association, and the Kiwanis Club of Waldorf, demonstrating her lifelong commitment to education and public service.

This event is FREE and hybrid, meaning you can join us in-person or virtually. Registration is required, registration links are above.

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