This sign, located at the Port of Chestertown Marina between the foot of Cannon Street, conveys an apologetic and contrite tone. The town acknowledges that its harbor was “where human beings captured from Africa were enslaved and transported to be bought and sold for the profit of free labor,” and that even after the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 freed all slaves, African Americans continued to suffer “gross injustices and subjugation.”

The Uptown Club holds a special place in the hearts of many, especially within the local African American community. This historic music venue played a pivotal role during a time when segregation was deeply entrenched, yet creativity and resilience thrived. Here’s what we know:

The Uptown Club: Located in Chestertown, Maryland, the Uptown Club was more than just a place to enjoy music—it was a hub of cultural expression. Imagine the vibrant energy: the rhythm of jazz, the soulful blues, and the electrifying performances that graced its stage. The Uptown Club wasn’t just a building; it was a living, breathing testament to the power of music and community.

The Chitlin Circuit Connection: The Uptown Club was part of the legendary “Chitlin Circuit.” The Chitlin Circuit was a network of Black-owned venues across the United States. These venues—clubs, theaters, and juke joints—provided a platform for Black artists during an era when mainstream venues often shut them out due to segregation. Performers like Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Louis Armstrong graced these stages, leaving an indelible mark on American music history.

Local Impact: The Uptown Club wasn’t just about entertainment; it was a community anchor. It brought people together, provided jobs, fostered connections, friendships, and shared memories. Imagine the laughter, the applause, and the sense of belonging as folks gathered to celebrate life through music. The Uptown Club was more than bricks and mortar; it was a heartbeat.

Commemoration: Today, a marker stands at the intersection of Calvert and College Streets in Chestertown, marking the former site of the Uptown Club. It’s a reminder of the resilience of those who made music there—the artists, the patrons, and the dreamers. While the physical building may be gone, its legacy lives on.

This documentary series tells the story of the Uptown Club, a music venue in Chestertown, Maryland, which hosted some of the mid-twentieth century’s most renowned Black performers. Here you will learn about the club’s impact on the local African American community and its broader connection to the “Chitlin Circuit,” Black-owned venues which fostered a vibrant culture at the height of segregation. A marker commemorating the Uptown Club has been erected at its former location at the intersection of Calvert and College in Chestertown.

Ceremonial prayers, music, and presentations filled the Media Center at H.H. Garnet Elementary School on the morning of December 10, 2022, for the unveiling of this signage. The monument documents the school’s origins, along with the history and achievements of both Emma Grason Miller and Rev. Henry Highland Garnet, a former Kent County slave. Their individual contributions spanning the 19th and 20 centuries significantly impacted the opportunities for higher education for Black pupils in Kent County, Maryland.

(L) Vincent Leggett, President of Blacks of the Chesapeake, stands with (r) Karen Somerville at the Cannon St location. The installation took place on June 17, 2021, marking the official recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States

Directions: Traveling southwest into Chestertown on Route 213 (Washington Ave.). Continue for 1.5 miles past McDonald’s. Turn right onto Maple Avenue. After 0.06 miles, turn right onto N Cross St (MD-289). Continue for 0.1 miles, then turn right onto S Cross St. After 0.07 miles, turn left onto 98 Cannon St. Go 0.2 miles to see the historic monument on the left, under a municipal lamp next to the dock walk which connects to the foot of High St.

The Uptown Club

This documentary highlights the life of educator Emma L. Grason Miller whose efforts led to the founding of the Henry Highland Garnet School in Chestertown, Maryland. The video below traces Miller’s early education at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland under the luminary tutelage of Mother Mary Lange through to Emma’s influential leadership in forging opportunities for Black students in Kent County, Maryland. Through this project, the library at H.H. Garnet Elementary School has been renamed the Emma L. Grason Miller Media Center to honor her legacy and continued impact.

Monica Graves Bentley Honors Her Father’s Legacy at Uptown Club Unveiling Ceremony

In June 2022, Monica Graves Bentley, daughter of the late Charlie and Hilda Graves, stood alongside her husband, Harrison Bentley, during the poignant unveiling ceremony that marked the former site of the iconic Uptown Club. The Uptown Club, a legendary music venue in Chestertown, held a special place in the hearts of many. It was more than just a club; it was a cultural hub that impacted the local African American community profoundly. Charlie Graves, Monica’s father, was the driving force behind the Uptown Club’s success, fostering a vibrant music scene during a time of segregation. Monica’s involvement extends beyond the ceremony—she is a central figure in a six-film series that explores her father’s legacy and the club’s impact on the community. These films, produced by Chesapeake Heartland Curation Fellow Karen Somerville, can be accessed on the African American Signage and Visualization Project website, ensuring that this vital history remains alive and accessible for generations to come.

This site features two markers. One is erected on the grounds at the front entrance of the building. The second marker is located inside the school, immediately to the left of the main lobby, mounted next to the first doorway entrance to the Media Center/Library.

The unveiling of this marker was held on December 10, 2022. Descendants, supporters, and dignitaries gathered to celebrate the posthumous honor of foundress Emma Miller by renaming the school’s Media Center. CHP Curation Fellow Karen Somerville addressed the crowd inside H.H. Garnet Elementary School, which was filled to the standing room only. Somerville shared an overview of Miller’s lifetime accomplishments, followed by the viewing of her film produced for the project “Visionary in the Heartland.”

Directions:  7 min travel time Drive northwest on Church Hill Road/MD 213. Continue MD 213. Turn left onto West Campus Avenue. Turn left onto North College Avenue. Turn left onto Calvert St., arrive at your destination (Henry Highland Garnet Elem. School) is on the right.

The Story of Emma L. Grason Miller and Mother Mary Lange

Bethel A. M. E. Church

Directions:  7 min travel time. Drive northwest on Church Hill Road/MD 213. Continue MD 213. Turn left onto West Campus Avenue. Turn left onto North College Avenue. Turn left onto Calvert St., arrive at your destination; find signage at the right-side corner of Calvert St and College Ave.    

H.H. Garnet Elem. School student Peyton Queen  and junior producer of the film project joins Miller’s great-great-granddaughter Lynn, with husband Melvin Porter in the unveiling of the marker renaming the school’s media center to the Emma Grason Miller Media Center.

H.H. Garnet Elementary School Principal Brenda Rose joined Chesapeake Heartland’s Curation Fellow Karen Somerville on site for the unveiling of the outdoor marker.

 Pictured left to right: Rev. Robert N. Brown, Jr., Alan Cephas, Nina Cephas, Rev. Monique Upshur Davis, and Melvonna Wayman - great-grandchildren of the late Rev. Frederick Jones, Sr.

Bethel A.M.E. Church: A Beacon of Resilience

Chestertown, MD — September 14, 2024

Conceived during the Reconstruction period, Bethel Church has stood as a pillar in the local Black community for two centuries. From the challenging days of Jim Crow to the enthusiasm of the Civil Rights movement, Bethel has thrived, serving as a spiritual and social hub for generations.

Rev. Robert N. Brown, Jr continues a legacy.

Presiding pastor, Rev. Robert N. Brown, Jr., follows four generations of reverends who served the district through this historic edifice. His great-grandfather, a pastor who served Bethel from 1953 to 1969, co-founded the local chapter of the NAACP and had a pivotal role during the Civil Rights era, hosting the Freedom Riders in Chestertown. His legacy of courage and service continues to inspire our community today."

Directions: Drive northwest on Church Hill Road/MD 213. Continue MD 213. Turn left (west) Campus Avenue. Turn left onto (north) College Avenue, arrive at your destination. Find the sign on your left; positioned on the right side of the front door entry.  

A Legacy of Praise and Worship in the African American Church

Produced by Karen Somerville, 2023 - 2024 Curation Fellow for The Starr Center for the Study of American Experience at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, this documentary film explores the pivotal role and historic influence of the African American church within the spiritual community.