The founding of the Religious Society of Friends in 1652 was celebrated with much excitement in the UK in 2002; and the first meetings in Ireland in 1564 were widely celebrated there in 2004. Recently Baltimore Yearly Meeting, the oldest yearly meeting in North America, has added to its website masthead – Celebrating 350 years of Quakers in America.

2006 is the 350th anniversary of the arrival of Elizabeth Harris, an early convinced Friend and “publisher of truth” to the Chesapeake Bay. Her arrival in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, most probably in early 1656, and her successful early “convincements” are considered to be the origination of the Religious Society of Friends in America. From this “simple” beginning, Quakerism in America evolved. In 1672, West River Meeting, the precursor of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, was called in 1672 and was attended by George Fox. This history is well presented in Quakers in the Founding of Anne Arundel County, Maryland (1963) by J. Reaney Kelly, and more recently in an article by Dr. Kenneth L. Carroll in the Journal of Friends History (Spring 2005).

Annapolis Monthly Meeting has formed an Ad Hoc 350th Anniversary Subcommittee to celebrate the unique role of Anne Arundel County, Maryland and Baltimore Yearly Meeting in the establishment of the Religious Society of Friends in North America. Planning is underway for a variety of activities and events to celebrate this milestone, reflect on our heritage, and raise awareness of the relevancy of Quakerism today. Ideas include development of a brochure on early Quaker history and a driving tour of Quaker sites; press releases and articles in local newspapers on the history of Quakerism; interpretation at the Quaker Burying Grounds at West River, Maryland in cooperation with local historical groups; a float to celebrate this event in the Annapolis 4th of July parade; sponsoring lectures on Quaker history and early Quaker botanists; and sponsoring historical interpreters and presenters of George Fox and Elizabeth Harris locally. Our Meeting also hopes to encourage all Meetings to join us in this joyful endeavor.

To raise regional awareness of the historic and continuing presence of Quakers, we are hoping that all Meetings will hang a prominent outdoor banner proudly announcing this celebration. AMM is working to finalize a design and slogan that can be obtained at a reasonable cost from a local sign shop, such as Kinko’s, and which is suitable for outdoor display. One suggestion is: “Quakers and Maryland: Friends since 1656.” If your meeting is interested displaying a banner or banners, please contact us at for additional information. An “American Quaker Tapestry” is being explored. Bumper stickers, buttons, yard signs and t-shirts are also under consideration.

The members of the 350th Committee (Careen Mayer, Philip Favero, Ria Hawkins, Joanna Mendelman, Lee Lougee, Chris Rosycki and Kim Finch) welcome your ideas for how Baltimore Yearly Meeting and local meetings can celebrate our heritage and engage local communities. More information will be provided to Meetings as way opens.

Submitted by Kim Finch for the 350th Celebration Ad Hoc Committee.