info@historicki.org
historic
kent island
A home worth saving
Rising out of the Chesapeake Bay waters is one of America’s oldest and least recognized English settlements, Maryland’s Kent Island.
Settled in 1631, only 24 years after America’s first permanent English settlement, Jamestown, Kent Island holds as much historical weight as its brethren. So why is Kent Island not recognized and respected equally? Why are the histories of Jamestown, Plymouth, and the “Lost Colony” of Roanoke taught in school, but no one mentions Kent Island?
The Isle of Kent is steeped in historical conflict, bloodshed, struggle, and survival. Yet it currently faces another major problem. Its land and historical sites are being overrun by irresponsible development, destroying the very thing that makes it so special.
We’re here to change that...
join the fight against royal farms
Memoirs of kent island
more coming soon
Our Story
The idea of Historic Kent Island began in 2020 when our founder, J. Coursey Willis, produced a video series called “My Morning Walk.” He traveled the island talking about the hidden history of his hometown. The history segments became more popular and one day, over a glass of wine with co-founder Jennifer Barrick, the seed was planted to save Kent Island.
Our organization was established in 2021 with a mission to discover, restore, investigate, and preserve the historic and cultural heritage of Kent Island, Maryland. We affectionally call this system DRIP and apply it to everything we do. The island is in the crosshairs of irresponsible development, so foremost, we must spread awareness of its significance as one of America’s earliest and previously most disregarded English settlements. This is our foundation, and from there, we build.
The sky is the limit, and we have big dreams, so we hope you’re ready. Help us end the madness and make a change.
support the cause
All great movements start with a few supporters; without support, any venture will fail. Therefore, we need your help. Your donation allows us to do more and focus on Kent Island’s greatest issues. We are constantly working on new programs as our budget expands, but currently concentrating on Memoirs of KI, Seven Secret Sites, Save the Graves, and Trails of Tales. But those things cost money… lots of money. Did you know one piece of signage costs roughly $2,500? This doesn’t even include the labor of research and writing! So please donate what you can to save where we live. Every dollar helps.
FREE GUIDE download coming soon
seven secret sites
Only a true islander knows these sites and the stories behind them...
Copyright 2021 Historic Kent Island - Privacy Policy