Concern for Skidmore Community's future

Jul 14, 2023

Concern for Skidmore Community's future

Left to right: Curtis Coates; Ann Green; Delores Green; Bobby Cromwell; Bernadette Pulley-Pruitt; Bill Lager; Bonnie Henderson; and James Tolson gather for a photo on Ann and Delores' property and discuss concerns they have regarding future development plans for the area, and that local, state, and federally elected officials aren't listening. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

Concern for Skidmore Community's future

Ann Green and her neighbors (Bernadette Pulley-Pruitt, at right, who has family living here) discuss concerns they have regarding future development plans for the area, and that local, state, and federally elected officials aren't listening. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

Concern for Skidmore Community's future

Ann Green and her neighbors (left to right) her mother, Delores Green, Bonnie Henderson, Bernadette Pulley-Pruitt, Bobby Cromwell, Curtis Coates, James Tolson, and Bill Lager, sit in Ann and Delores' kitchen and discuss concerns they have regarding future development plans for the area, and that local, state, and federally elected officials aren't listening. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

Concern for Skidmore Community's future

Ann Green and her neighbors (left to right) her mother, Delores Green, Bonnie Henderson, and Bernadette Pulley-Pruitt sit in Ann and Delores' kitchen and discuss concerns they have regarding future development plans for the area, and that local, state, and federally elected officials aren't listening. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

Concern for Skidmore Community's future

Curtis Coates (center), has lived in the Skidmore community since 1959. He throws his hand in the air in frustration as he has hit road block after road block with government red-tape while trying to build on his property. Left to right; Bobby Cromwell, Curtis Coates, and James Tolson, sit in Ann and Delores Green's kitchen and discuss concerns they have regarding future development plans for the area, and that local, state, and federally elected officials aren't listening. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

Concern for Skidmore Community's future

Bill Lager, a neighbor of Ann and Delores Green, has only lived in the neighborhood since 2018, but speaks about how close the peoiple who live in the Skidmore community are. Left to right; Curtis Coates, James Tolson, and Bill Lager, sit in Ann and Delores Green's kitchen and discuss concerns they have regarding future development plans for the area, and that local, state, and federally elected officials aren't listening. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

Concern for Skidmore Community's future

Delores Green (left) discusses when the county closed exit 31, they closed off access to the community - decisions made without considering the impact that decision would have on the community who were not involved in discussions. Right is Bonnie Henderson. Neighbors of Skidmore community, sit in Ann and Delores Green's kitchen and discuss concerns they have regarding future development plans for the area, and that local, state, and federally elected officials aren't listening. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

Concern for Skidmore Community's future

Bonnie Henderson and Bernadette Pulley-Pruitt discuss how no one is representing the Skidmore community nor considering the impact state development projects will have on the legacy families, such as third span of the bridge, increased traffic, etc. Neighbors living in the Skidmore neighborhood sit in Ann and Delores' kitchen and discuss concerns they have regarding future development plans for the area, and that local, state, and federally elected officials aren't listening. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

Concern for Skidmore Community's future

"Who wants to spend their time on meetings and zooms?" said Ann Green (left). "You try to save a little bit of your community -- what's left -- so people not trying to destroy it, but it's like at the same time people are tired, they're apathetic or they just don't feel like they can beat Goliath." Ann Green and her neighbors (left to right) her mother, Delores Green, Bonnie Henderson, and Bernadette Pulley-Pruitt sit in Ann and Delores' kitchen and discuss concerns they have regarding future development plans for the area, and that local, state, and federally elected officials aren't listening. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

Concern for Skidmore Community's future

Left to right: Bernadette Pulley-Pruitt, Ann Green, Bobby Cromwell, Delores Green, Bonnie Henderson, and James Tolson, gather for a photo in front of Whitehall property. Whitehall, the product of enslaved labor, was the 18th-century home of one of Maryland’s last colonial governors. Bernadette Pulley-Pruitt traced her heritage to Whitehall's enslaved residents. Skidmore neighbors gathered at Ann and Delores Green's home to discuss concerns they have regarding future development plans for the area, and that local, state, and federally elected officials aren't listening. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

Skidmore area residents and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. (Left to right) Devon Edwards, Delores Green, April Chapman, Rodney Green, Ann Green, James Tolson, Bobby Cromwell, Bernadette Pulley-Pruitt, Janice Hayes-Williams, Adetola Ajayi, (African American Community Services Specialist, Mayor's Office), and Kevin Hunt.A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

The view to the bay from the front porch at Whitehall. Skidmore area residents and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

Skidmore area residents and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

Ridout descendent, Mollie Ridout (lower left), welcomes the group and with some research, provides to them, a list of names of enslaved persons that worked and lived on Whitehall. Skidmore area residents and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

Ridout descendent, Mollie Ridout shows a doll that was made by an enslaved person who worked and lived on Whitehall. Skidmore area residents and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

Ridout descendent, Mollie Ridout shows a doll that was made by an enslaved person who worked and lived on Whitehall. Skidmore area residents and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

Skidmore area residents and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. (Left to right) Kim Blake, Ann Green, Bonnie Henderson, and Janice Hayes-Williams, listen to Ty Swindell, Property Manager as he talks about the Main Hall at Whitehall.A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

Skidmore area residents and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. (Left to right) Ann Green, Kim Blake, Delores Green, Rodnery Green, and April Chapman listen to Ty Swindell, Property Manager as he talks about the Main Hall at Whitehall.A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

Architectural details in the Main Hall at Whitehall. Skidmore area residents and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

Architectural detail, a "phoenix" on the ceiling of the Main Hall at Whitehall. Skidmore area residents and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

Janice Hayes-Williams and Ann Green, tour the Main Hall at Whitehall. Skidmore area residents and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

Kevin Hunt, Whitehall Property Manager, Ty Swindell, and African American Community Services Specialist for the Mayor's Office, Adetola Ajayi, tour the room adjacent to the main room at Whitehall. The walls are covered with hand-painted wallpaper from China and hand carved wood details. Skidmore area residents and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

Details in the room adjacent at Whitehall. The walls are covered with hand-painted wallpaper from China and hand carved wood details. Skidmore area residents and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

Ann Green, Delores Green, James Tolson, and Whitehall Property Manager, Ty Swindell, tour the room adjacent to the main room at Whitehall. The walls are covered with hand-painted wallpaper from China and hand carved wood details. Skidmore area residents and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

Mollie Ridout, left, hosted Skidmore area residents, James Tolson, Ann Green, Bonnie Henderson, Delores Green and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

Janice Hayes-Williams takes a photo as Bernadette Pulley-Pruitt places roses at the gravesite of her Great-Great Grandfather, Timothy Harris, 3/31/1834 - 3/1/1905. He is the only person of color to be buried in the Ridout family plot. Skidmore area residents and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

Bernadette Pulley-Pruitt places roses at the gravesite of her Great Grand-Aunt Amelia Martin, 1877-1899. Skidmore area residents and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

The view of the bay at water's edge at Whitehall. Skidmore area residents and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

The view of Whitehall from the water's edge on the bay. Skidmore area residents and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

A Visit to Whitehall

Delores Green (left), Bernadette Pulley-Pruitt, April Chapman, and Devon Edwards, walk to the water's edge on the bay at Whitehall. Skidmore area residents and others from nearby who believe they may be descendants of people who were enslaved at the former plantation, visit Whitehall. A recently introduced piece of federal legislation would create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area which would allow the National Park Service to do some maintenance, renovations and programming at historic sites along the bay. Stakeholders fear what kinds of changes this and other planned developments could lead to in their delicate community. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)