The Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area presented its 2025 awards to three recipients for contributions to preserving and promoting Dorchester County heritage during an event last week in Cambridge.
The Richardson Maritime Museum and its Ruark Boatworks earned Organization of the Year for work in maintaining maritime culture and boat-building traditions. The “Shine Your Light Mural,” a collaborative project between artist Miriam Moran and the Dorchester Center for the Arts, received Project of the Year. Located on Cedar Street in Cambridge, the mural highlights Latin culture through public art. Ruth Clendaniel took home the Caroline Cline Volunteer of the Year award for her involvement with the Cambridge Woman’s Club and related community activities.
The Cambridge Woman’s Club hosted the ceremony, which recognized individuals and groups advancing local history and culture in the county.
The Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area, managed under the Dorchester County Tourism office, operates as one of Maryland’s 13 certified heritage areas. Established to protect historic, cultural, and natural resources, it supports projects that enhance heritage tourism across most of Dorchester County. The area draws on the region’s Chesapeake Bay legacy, including watermen traditions, African American history tied to figures like Harriet Tubman, and evolving community diversity.
The Richardson Maritime Museum, located along Cambridge Creek, features exhibits on local boat designers and builders, such as Jim Richardson and Harold Ruark. The Ruark Boatworks serves as an active shop where volunteers construct and restore wooden vessels, including skiffs and contributions to skipjack maintenance. Recent efforts have focused on reopening facilities and expanding education programs after challenges, aligning with goals to keep traditional skills alive for public viewing and participation. The museum’s recognition as Organization of the Year reflects progress in these areas, as noted in coverage of the awards.
The “Shine Your Light Mural” stands out for celebrating Latino influences on the Lower Eastern Shore. Artist Miriam Moran, a Dorchester County native, partnered with the Dorchester Center for the Arts to create the work, which addresses growing cultural diversity in the region. Moran has used murals to promote inclusion, with this project building on her efforts to represent underrepresented communities through vibrant public installations.
Ruth Clendaniel’s volunteer award, named for former East New Market Mayor Caroline Cline, honors dedicated service. Clendaniel’s role with the Cambridge Woman’s Club includes support for local events and preservation initiatives, contributing to community gatherings like the awards ceremony itself.
These annual honors, presented by the heritage area, spotlight efforts that align with state goals under the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. The program encourages nominations from the public to identify standout projects, organizations, and volunteers. Past winners have included sites tied to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway and other historical landmarks, underscoring Dorchester’s role in broader Chesapeake narratives.
The heritage area also administers mini-grants and partners on larger funding from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority to support interpretation, restoration, and tourism development. For 2025, applications for mini-grants remain open in rounds, aiding smaller-scale heritage enhancements countywide.
Visitors interested in the award-winning sites can explore the Richardson Maritime Museum and Ruark Boatworks, view the mural on Cedar Street, or connect with groups like the Dorchester Center for the Arts and Cambridge Woman’s Club.
The awards event highlighted ongoing collaboration among nonprofits, artists, and volunteers to sustain Dorchester County’s distinctive identity amid changes in population and economy.