By Dan Baldwin (Avenue News, 12/19/14)
Trisha and Bill Hartley celebrated their marriage on Saturday, Dec. 13. But the date, 12/13/14, wasn’t the only unique part of the newlywed’s special day.
The couple exchanged their vows during a small ceremony inside the Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River’s museum in Essex.
According to Secretary Sandy Zinkhan, this was the first wedding to ever be performed inside the building.
The venue was also a proper fitting as Bill Hartley is the museums paranormal director. The museum has a history of being haunted and the groom has held several successful ghost hunts inside the museum.
Trisha Hartley also loves Christmas and was pleasantly happy that the beautiful decorations were still on display in the museum’s avenue, Zinkhan said.
“The Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River was pleased to host the wedding and reception in the museum,” Zinkhan said. “They and their guests had a nice day, as did we.”
Click on photos above to enlarge.
These photos and clippings come from the Heritage Society Baumgartner Archives and other sources, scanned by member Rita Gaunt with additional research and photos by archivist Scott Huffines.
This print archive captures a historical snapshot of life in Essex and Middle River, Maryland. The archive contains nearly 300 categorical binders documenting our community activities with articles, pamphlets, and photographs from 1969 through the 1980s. The Heritage Society has been scanning the collection to our website to share with our extended community.
As we continue to build new collections, we are seeking new materials such as photographs and ephemera that pertain to the community and business history of Essex and Middle River. Please contact essexmuseum@gmail.com if you have historical memories or items to donate or would like to become a member.
Read more about the Heritage Society Baumgartner Archives.