Havre de Grace revisits history with 'Mosaic Project: Voices from the Past'
Jul. 28—The Havre de Grace Arts Collective is presenting an original and immersive experience called the "Havre de Grace Mosaic Project: Voices from the Past 1900-1925″ beginning Friday through Aug. 7 in the Black Box Theater of the Havre de Grace Cultural Center at the Opera House.
The Mosaic Project is an artistic interpretation of the personal stories of people, places, circumstances and milestones that contributed to the unique personality of the city of Havre de Grace. The show will bring visitors into the Havre de Grace of the early 1900s with episodes from the canning and fishing industries, dances at the Bayou, prohibition, the Colored School, speak-easies, the racetrack and local suffragists.
"Havre de Grace is so rich with history," said Rebecca R. Jessop, executive director of Havre de Grace Arts Collective. "We realized it was time to document and collate images and stories from our citizens many of whom are aging. There is so much history that the presentations needed to be broken into limited time periods."
Based on oral histories and local interviews, these stories will be brought to life through recorded dialogue, a curated musical soundtrack, and both authentic and created images which will bring viewers into the past. Since 2019, the Mosaic team has researched stories using a wide variety of sources such as Digital Maryland, the Harford County Public Library, the Harford Historical Society and the Harford Living Treasures Project as well as in-person interviews, Aegis historical articles, websites and more.
"It took three years to research, compile information and create the presentation with many people involved," Jessop said. "We hope this immersive production will stir people's memories and encourage them to get engaged in the project. Perhaps remember historic items that might be in their attics or basements."
Seats will be limited, and reservations are recommended. This 60-minute show is suitable for families, but not recommended for children five and under.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and students. Presentation times are Friday at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Saturday at 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.; Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Aug. 6 at 4 p.m.; and Aug. 7 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Along with the presentation, the Opera House lobby will have a display of historic photographs. A listing of sources used by the Mosaic team will be provided in the program.
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The artistic team for the Mosaic Project includes: William A. Price III, artistic director and immersive design; Jimmy-O Burril, sound recording; Amy Rosenkrans, image curation; Sylke Bargsten, recorded music; Irmgarde Brown, script; and a large cast of actors and actresses voicing the characters.
The Mosaic Project is an ongoing research and performance-based project and interested persons are encouraged to volunteer, either as interviewers or interviewees. For more information about the Havre de Grace Mosaic Project, go to https://hdgartscollective.org/mosaic-project/. Also, on the website is a form where an individual can submit a story about an experience or personal life event in Havre de Grace.
"The next installment will cover the 1920′s to the 1940′s," Jessop said. "Many documents were accumulated during the initial research process but the committee will seek out more."
The project was made possible by a grant from the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway through Maryland Heritage Areas, according to a news release.
