Please join Shore History in inviting portrait photographer Kristin Rutkowski to Ker Place to discuss her amazing book and project, Her Helm. Inside it’s pages, the book is dedicated to showcasing women captains on the Chesapeake Bay and their inspiring stories. The lecture begins Thursday, March 7th at 6pm. Kristin’s event is free with a Shore History membership or $5 at the door for not yet members.

The Her Helm project celebrates boat captains who are women making space for themselves in the maritime world. The Chesapeake Bay edition of the project has been collected into a fine art book, with each captain’s image and biographical story highlighted through the pages. The second half of the book includes stories, poems, essays, and art by a select group of writers and artists around the Bay. Be inspired by the tales of women who have backgrounds such as owning their own watercraft, holding USCG licenses, racing sailboats across an ocean, delivering boats, educating others, operating a ferry, and many more.

Books are available at the Book Bin in Onley and an exhibit is on display at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD through September 2024. To learn more about the Her Helm project, visit herhelm.com.