The One Maryland One Book 2025 theme is “What We Collect/What We Tell.” This year’s selection, Kin: Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford with art by Jeffery Boston Weatherford, is a work of verse and illustration, about the Weatherford’s ancestors who were among the founders of the Maryland. These poems give them voice through enslavement, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.

Find Kin: Rooted in Hope in print in the catalog

Find Kin: Rooted in Hope in digital formats in Libby

2025 One Maryland One Book Southern Maryland Partners

• St. Mary’s County Library
• Calvert Library
• Charles County Public Library
• College of Southern Maryland
• St. Mary’s College of Maryland
• St. Mary’s County Museums

Events

Author Event

Wednesday, October 8, 7 – 9 p.m.
Nancy R. & Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center at St. Mary’s College of Maryland: 47855 College Dr., St. Marys City, MD 20686 (Public parking is in Lot H or S)

Join author Carole Boston Weatherford and artist Jeffery Boston Weatherford for an inspiring discussion about their book Kin: Rooted in Hope. Released in 2024, the book is a work of art, history and personal genealogy – the authors’ search into their family tree led them to ancestors who were among the founders of Maryland. Hybrid in form, and even more expansive in what it has to say, Kin: Rooted in Hope is a book created by, and about, a Black family and its generations. With each poem and its accompanying illustration, Carole and Jeffery tell their family story through each of their kin and the world they lived in: the Chesapeake Bay, the plantation house, Frederick Douglass, Harriett Tubman and more. The author talk will begin at 7 p.m., with a book signing and sales to follow. Local historical organizations will offer exhibits in the lobby, starting at 6:30 p.m. and continuing through the conclusion of the event.

Support for this program is provided by the Arts Alliance at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

Book Discussions

Other Related Events

Introduction to Ancestral Narratives for All Ages
Monday, September 8, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
St. Mary’s County Library, Leonardtown Library
Register for Introduction to Ancestral Narratives for All Ages
Ancestral narratives are a way of sharing family’s stories with future generations. Genealogists, no matter their age or experience, will enjoy learning about this useful way of preserving history. In this program, we’ll discuss what ancestral narratives are and the basic steps for recording your own. They can be useful for anything from school assignments to heavy genealogy work. As exemplified by this year’s book, they are a great way to pass on the stories of our past in a way that captivates readers.

The Longest Table
Tuesday, September 16, 5 – 7 p.m.
Brick path between Courthouses off Main St, Prince Frederick
Hosted by Calvert Library
Register for The Longest Table
Join us for Calvert County’s first “The Longest Table” event to share a light meal and meaningful conversations. What are the great ways YOU know that our community works together and helps one another? Let’s celebrate our resilience and unity while forging new connections for the future! Registration required.

Our Southern Maryland History: A Tapestry of Many Voices
Sunday, September 21, 2 – 5 p.m.
Middleham and St. Peter’s Parish Hall: 10210 H.G. Trueman Rd., Lusby, Maryland
Hosted by The Big Conversation Partners in Dismantling Racism and Privilege in Southern Maryland
Register for Our Southern Maryland History
Join us in person for a panel featuring voices of teens to local leaders, sharing different perspectives on Southern Maryland history. Discover how personal perspectives are developed that shape how you see the past, why those views matter, and how understanding different perspectives can improve your relationships, make you a better leader and help our communities work together more effectively. After the panel, take part in small, guided group discussions to share your own ideas, experiences and stories. How can understanding different perspectives help strengthen Southern Maryland as a community? What practical steps can you and our local leaders take to foster mutual respect, cooperation and a shared sense of place and history?

Crafting Keepsakes
Monday, September 22, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
St. Mary’s County Library, Charlotte Hall Library
Register for Crafting Keepsakes
Create a photo album. Each participant will receive one 8″ x 8″ photo album along with access to a variety of crafting supplies including stickers, decorative paper, markers, washi tape, and more. You supply the photos! There is a limit of one photo album per participant. Whether you’re capturing generations of memories or starting a new tradition, this program is a perfect opportunity to tell your family’s story through photos and art.

Discovering Family Roots: A Personal Journey
Tuesday, September 23, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch
Register for Discovering Family Roots
Are you curious about your family roots or looking for a moving story of connection and discovery? Join us for the heartfelt story of how a Calvert Library librarian discovered her biological father using genealogical resources. Learn how the library’s resources can empower you to research your family history.

Antique Appraisal Roadshow
Saturday, September 27, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Hosted by Friends of Calvert Library and Arts Council of Calvert County at Calvert Library, Prince Frederick
Register for Antiques Appraisal Roadshow
Got a hidden treasure? Bring your antique or collectible for a $10 appraisal by expert Todd Peenstra, or just come to watch and learn about the fascinating world of collectibles! All proceeds benefit the Arts Council of Calvert County and Friends of Calvert Library. Don’t miss out! Item drop off is 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Mr. Peenstra will share his information beginning at 11 a.m.

Hip Hope Poetry with Dr. David Cepeda
Thursday, October 9, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Cole Cinema at St. Mary’s College of Maryland: Campus Center, 47600 Mill Field Dr, St Marys City, MD 20686 (Parking is in Lot K)
Hosted by St. Mary’s College of Maryland Office of Community Outreach & Engagement and Multicultural Programs Office

Scratchboard Art Drop-in Workshop
Thursday, October 16, 4 – 6 p.m.
Daugherty-Palmer Commons at St. Mary’s College of Maryland: 47720 College Dr., St. Mary’s City, MD 20686 (Parking is in Lot S. Handicap parking is in Lot P.)
Hosted by St. Mary’s College of Maryland Office of Community Outreach & Engagement

About One Maryland One Book

When we read a great book, we can’t wait to share the experience and talk about it with others. That’s one of the joys of reading. In that spirit, Maryland Humanities created One Maryland One Book (OMOB) to bring together diverse people in communities across the state through the shared experience of reading the same book. We invite you to participate in book-centered discussions and related programs at public libraries, high schools, colleges, museums, bookstores, and community and senior centers around the state.

One Maryland One Book is a program of Maryland Humanities