Thomas Kennedy Center

03/13/2026

Some photos from Thursday evening's 200th Anniversary of Thomas Kennedy's "Jew Bill" event at the Maryland State House. It was great to have the Thomas Kennedy Center at the event, and also the "maquette" of the Thomas Kennedy sculpture "front and center!"

03/13/2026

Happy to provide the mini-statue of Thomas Kennedy for tonight's event in Annapolis. Several speakers recognized the Thomas Kennedy Center!

03/13/2026

We're grateful to the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area for supporting the Thomas Kennedy Center with an FY25 Mini-Grant! This funding helped us develop professional brochures, stationery, and fundraising materials that share Thomas Kennedy's remarkable story of fighting for religious freedom in 19th-century Maryland. As a new cultural institution in downtown Hagerstown, these materials are helping us build partnerships across the heritage tourism community and connect with visitors who want to learn how one person's courage changed Maryland history. Thank you for investing in our mission of advancing liberty and inspiring inclusiveness!

03/08/2026

Great to see this article, which mentions Thomas Kennedy...

"In 1824, local politician Thomas Kennedy published a 27-page poem titled “The Battle of Funks-town, A Burlesque Poem,” which satirized the events and participants. Kennedy’s poem soon sold in Hagerstown and Chambersburg bookstores."

On a cold St. Patrick’s Day morning in 1823, two groups of men converged in the street: Irish turnpike workers and local Funkstown residents.

03/02/2026

2026 Essay Contest! The Thomas Kennedy Center is once again partnering with the Jewish Museum of Maryland!
An exciting program is returning to the Jewish Museum of Maryland Education Department this year. For the second consecutive year, we are partnering with the Jewish Museum of Maryland to host an essay writing contest for middle and high schoolers who attend public schools in Maryland (participants who placed or won last year’s contest are respectfully asked not to re-enter).
The subject of the essay contest will center around Maryland's 1826 "Jew Bill," and its implications about political participation, religious freedom, and otherness.
You can view the contest flier on the web site, for more information on submission, requirements, and eligibility. Entries are due on Thursday, March 31, 2026. Every student who enters the contest will receive free admission for a visit to the Jewish Museum of Maryland, for themselves and their family. Winning essays will be featured and awards distributed at the Jewish Museum of Maryland's Annual Meeting.

Essay Contest IDENTITY AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN THE US   An essay writing contest for public middle and high school students in Maryland. The Jewish Museum of Maryland and Thomas Kennedy Center invite you to reflect on Maryland’s “Jew Bill” and consider what it tells us about political ...

01/16/2026

In case you missed it...

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DXuPD3hL9/

01/14/2026

Great to see this:

Discover the history of the Jew Bill passed in Maryland in 1826, granting rights to Jewish citizens previously denied.

12/14/2025

Our hearts go out to the innocent people killed or wounded at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia.

BBC News

One of the attackers was also killed during the incident and 42 people remain in hospital, Australian police say.

10/29/2025

Board meeting today of the Thomas Kennedy Center...discussing future planning.

Note: hats off to Toby Mendez, City staff, and others who cleaned and polished the Thomas Kennedy Sculpture on Tuesday!

07/02/2025

In conjunction with the Jewish Museum of Maryland, the Thomas Kennedy Center congratulates the state-wide essay winners!

According to the Jewish Museum of Maryland:

"At the museum's Annual Meeting this year, awards were distributed from the inaugural essay writing contest in partnership with the Thomas Kennedy Center. The contest is concerned with Maryland’s Jew Bill and what it says about the relationship between political participation and identity. This project focuses on the 200-year commemoration of Maryland’s Jew Bill as well as the semi-quincentennial of the United States in 2026. The museum will be launching the 2025-2026 essay writing contest later this year, please be on the lookout for more information!"

WINNERS (no last names for age related restrictions):

High School:
First place: Jennifer R
Second place: Maddie B
Third place: Libby S

Middle School:
First place: Bailey G
Second place: Braxtyn H
Third Place: Sofia G

07/02/2025

As we approach our nation's birthday, we are reminded of a patriot, who fought for religious freedom.

Thomas Kennedy wrote many poems, including:

"Then who are great? the good alone
Yes real greatness is their own,
Whatever their station, sphere
Plac'd in a cottage, or a court,
The child of fortune or her sport,
Their names shall ay be dear.
Illustrious their descent and birth,
Peace—honor on them wait;
The only nobles of the earth,
The good are ever great.
The Portal—immortal
Of glory opens wide
Before them—adore them
And follow where they guide."

Thomas Kennedy, of Hagerstown, 1799-1832

10/25/2024

Michelle Johnson is the Director of the Maryland 250 Commission.
She visited on Thursday with sculptor Toby Mendez and committee member Tom Riford. She toured the Clara Barton Memorial Sculpture and Park, and learned about Clara Barton and the public art project. She also toured the Thomas Kennedy Memorial Park. Tom Riford served as tour guide.