The Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance welcomes you to the
Handsell Historic Site – Celebrating 20 years!
Handsell in October 2021
It is time now for the 2026 annual Membership Renewal and Capital Campaign Support! Please join us!
The NHPA was formed in 2005 to purchase and restore one of Dorchester County, Maryland’s most interesting and intriguing historic structures, an old ivy-covered brick building located in the middle of what is known as “the Indiantown”. After just a little bit of research, we knew we were on to something BIG. As the layers of the story unfolded, through research in archives, deeds, Wills and historic family letters, a better yet not fully complete story emerged of Native people, licensed Indian traders, English settlers, British attacks, merchant activity and structural devastation. Much of the Handsell story is STILL a mystery, but it seems each day brings a little more light to this amazing, yet previously unknown saga of the Steele family’s mark on the Eastern Shore.
The “old brick house” at Chicone, known as Handsell, was purchased by the Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance with a Preservation Easement from the Maryland Historic Trust. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008, the site is now used to interpret the Native People’s contact period with the English, the enslaved and later African American story and the life of all those who lived at Handsell land grant and Indiantown area.
There is much here to learn about and see. So please stay awhile, explore our pages and get to know us!
UPCOMING EVENTS
* Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at the Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center, 424 Race St. Cambridge, MD 21613. 6-8 p.m. Book Release and Signing Event for “Handsell–Three Cultures One Story”, the history of the Handsell land grant and the people who have inhabited this area. Sales of books benefit the Handsell Historic Site. The book is also available on Amazon.com
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*Thursday October 1, 2026 Chamber of Commerce After Hours and Ribbon Cutting at the new Three Cultures Center at Handsell. 5:30 p.m. 4838 Indian Town Rd, Vienna, MD.
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*October 22-24, 2026 “Amplifying the Voices” a 3-day Symposium on Interpreting Difficult Histories at the Three Cultures Center. Sponsored by the Maryland Center for History and Culture for Historic and Cultural Organizations. Free Admission. Click Here for Program. Registration REQUIRED for attendance at: https://form.jotform.com/262426959031056
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Saturday November 7, 1-3- p.m. Annual Meeting with Grammy Award nominated American Songster, DOM FLEMONS at the Three Cultures Center at Handsell. 4837 Indian Town Rd., Vienna MD. Free admission, open to the public.
DONT MISS THIS SPECIAL EVENT!!
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Make a Donation today using the QR Code above: Thank you for your support!