Patapsco Days - The Past, Present and Future of Historic Blandair

2026 kicks off our Eighth Annual Patapsco Days Celebration! Patapsco Days is a month-long thematic event where we host programs about the history, environment, and sociopolitical aspects of the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area (PVHA). This year, our theme is "Celebrating 250 Years of History" in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary.

Join us and hear from Keenan Holmes and Kelly Palich (Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks) as they discuss the history and current research being conducted at one of Columbia's only intact Piedmont Plantations. This presentation is an opportunity for the public to gain insight into how Historic Preservation and Archaeology is used to inform the local history of our Parks and how this site will be utilized for future visitation and public programming.

For this talk, Holmes and Palich will explore the past of the plantation, current preservation and archaeological work going on at the site, and what plans for the sites future are looking like.

This talk takes place at the East Columbia Branch of the Howard County Library System. Seating is limited, so registration is recommended.

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You can find our full calendar of events HERE.

Keenan Holmes is the acting section manager of the Howard County Recreation and Parks Historic & Cultural Resources section. Currently serving as the African American history manager and museum educator for the county. Keenan is an anthropologist and archaeologist with 20 years of experience in interpretation, excavation, and school group tour leading. Recipient and team member of two Maryland History Trust awardings on research conducted in Montgomery and Howard county.

Kelly Palich, MA, has worked in the archaeological field for over 20 years. She received her BA in Anthropology from Washington College and her MA in Public Anthropology from American University. As Parks Archaeologist with Howard County Recreation and Parks she is able to combine her love with working with the public into preserving the past through archaeology, where she has developed the "Archaeology in the Parks" Public Archaeology Program.

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Host or Publisher Patapsco Heritage Greenway