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  History of the Society

1995    First organizational meetings

1996    Society Charter and By-Laws established and 501c status as a non-profit organization received from the Internal Revenue Department

1998    Grant received from the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore to support publication of Changing Times: Chronicle of Allen, MD, an Eastern Shore Village by George Shivers

1999    Publication of The Ancestors and Descendants of Jonathan Huffington, Jr. and Henrietta Adams Huffington by George Shivers

Major fundraising effort results in income of $50,000 dedicated to the purchase of Passerdyke Cottage and establishment of our museum. A remaining mortgage of approximately $30,000.

The Society successfully nominated Asbury United Methodist Church for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Buildings

2000    Grant received from the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore to purchase display cabinets and other furnishings for the Passerdyke Cottage Museum. We begin to have museum open to visitors during several Sunday afternoons each summer

Grant received from the Lower Delmarva Heritage Commission through the Maryland 2000 Program to place historical markers at Asbury United Methodist Church, Friendship United Methodist Church, and the site of the Allen Grist Mill.

2002    The Society sponsors a number of activities, including a home tour, a dinner-lecture, and an historical pageant to celebrate Allen's three- hundredth anniversary.

2005    The Society sponsors a guided bus tour of the village and environs with accompanying commentary on our history.

Publication of Ten Years of the Allen Historian, 1995-2005, dedicated to the memory of Louis "Casey" Parsons, secretary-treasurer of the Society from 1996 to 2004.

2007    Second bus tour takes place.

Funds raised for needed refurbishment of the first-floor apartment and the garage at Passerdyke Cottage

2008    Mortgage on Passerdyke Cottage is liquidated.

We provided an exhibit and a free publication dedicated to "The Women of Allen" at the Allen Community Hall on the occasion of the annual tea held by the United Methodist Women of Asbury Church.

George Shivers, Velmar Morris and Melissa Bright were interviewed and filmed as part of a project by PAC 14 titled "The History of Allen in Ebony and Ivory." This will eventually result in a DVD, featuring several lower Delmarva communities, a copy of which we will receive.

Dinner and Cemetery Walk. Dinner will be served at the Allen Community Hall, followed by the Cemetery Walk at both Asbury and Friendship cemeteries. (September 27)

Inauguration of our 1702 Society to honor members for their service to the organization and to the community. (Oct. 25)

Raffle of a handmade quilt donated by Rebecca McElhone. Tickets available at $1.00 each or 5 for $6.00

2009    June - The Society raised $1200 by catering a fundraiser for the local Red Cross

July 4 - Entered a float in the Independence Day Parade sponsored by the Allen Lions Club. Theme: Our second Cemetery Walk to be held in the fall.

September - second Cemetery Walk and dinner. Raised over $1000 and Served 100+ guests.

Fundraiser - raffle of a diamond ring (donated to the Society). Raised over $1200.

Dec. 5 Pre-Christmas party at the Walsh home. Raffle drawing.

Money from our fundraisers as well as from donations specifically for the restoration of the Huffington-Pollitt house enabled to replace broken windows, remove old aluminum siding and replace with vinyl siding, making the house once again an attractive part of the community. Interior renovation awaits!