by Bill Powell
Although the Deltaville Maritime Museum (DMM) and Holly Point Nature Park are closing DMM for a winter refurbish of exhibits displays and infrastructure, DMM will continue its fourth year of DMM’s Turner Lecture Series on Sunday, Jan 19 at 2 p.m. with Edward Wright Haile. The lecture promises to be an engaging and informative presentation. Mark your calendars.
Although DMM staff and volunteers will be heavily involved in the deep cleaning and additions to exhibits, the office can still be reached and contacted for information. Check its website (Deltavillemuseum.com) for new reopening information and updates.
Volunteers are needed and welcome. For information, call the DMM office at 776-7200.
The lecture series was begun in 2019 to offer special pre-season events guided by then-DMM President Richard Rodgers. Offered in January, February and March, the three Turner lectures are presented in DMM’s heated events pavilion. These lectures have become a popular way for Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck residents to spend a cold Sunday indoors. They attract a wide audience, including visitors to the area.
The 2025 opening lecture on Jan. 19, will feature renowned author and historian Edward Wright Haile, who is also recognized as a cartographer, translator, musician, sailor and land surveyor. Haile will speak on a variety of topics.
His most recent book is “Jamestown Narratives,” and he has authored a number of books of poetry, as well as a book on John Smith and the Chesapeake Bay. There will be refreshments and a “Q and A” after the lecture.
The other two 2025 Turner Series lectures include:
• 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16 — Cynthia Byrd Conner, daughter of Sherman and Louise Byrd, who recently retired. She was employed by the Department of the Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command, Southeast Regional Maintenance Center. A management and program analyst, she has more than 25 years of experience in ship maintenance and repair. A graduate of Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ), Cindy earned a bachelor’s degree in supervision and management.
Conner is a member of the Organization of Black Maritime Graduates, a 501(c)3 organization that, educates, mentors, and provides scholarships for minorities from all over the world, to attend the State University of New York Maritime College. She is also a member of the Florida Writers Association and the Military Writers Society of America.
Married to Alton M. Conner for more than 30 years, the couple continue to joyfully strive to fulfill God’s will for their lives. God has blessed them with a daughter, son, and three grandchildren. They all reside in the beautiful city of Jacksonville, Fla. You may contact Cynthia Byrd Conner via U.S. Mail at 731 Duval Station Road, Suite 107-408, Jacksonville, FL 32218, or email her at cynthiaconner1957@gmail.com.
• 2 p.m. Sunday, March 16 — Jeff Wright, the president of the Friends of Dragon Run, will bring lecture attendees updates and happenings of this wonderful cypress swamp that filters much of the water for the Piankatank River. “The Dragon” is said to be the cleanest river feeding into the Chesapeake Bay.
The series is dedicated to the memory of founding DMM member Andy Turner. His wife Evelyn and the Turner family established the Turner Education Fund for DMM to pursue educational activities of all types and ages to continue the role of DMM and its adjacent park as not only an archive but a “Living” museum and learning center. The Turner Family also donated the Turner Fountain in DMM’s courtyard area of the events pavilion.
Although DMM has had lectures and seminars in the past, it has now established an annual lecture series to bring speakers to DMM on subjects of interest to both DMM membership and the community. The series has presented at least three lectures a year since 2019.
Guided by board member Richard Rodgers, three lectures are assembled annually on the third Sunday in January, February and March. Except in unusual circumstances, the lectures will be at 2 p.m. sharp with a lecture, question and answer time, and refreshments.
There is no admission fee, but $10 donations to the Turner Education Fund are welcome. Donations ensure the continuity of the series. DMM is located at 287 Jackson Creek Road in Deltaville.
Lecture organizers encourage DMM members and friends to come out and attend these lectures. Call the DMM office at 776-7200 to RSVP.
For suggestions and support for the lecture series you can email dwrks@va.metrocast.net, sloopless@gmail.com or office@deltavillemuseum.com. DMM hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday.
(Bill Powell is Deltaville Maritime Museum’s events coordinator.)