Friends of Hancock’s Resolution

We are an AACPS: Business/Community Partnership | 2020 Community Service Organization of the Year

Recognized for their support of AACPS by Chesapeake High School

In 1997, family, friends and local residents who were concerned about the deterioration of the historic Hancock’s Resolution property and the lack of public access, formed the Friends of Hancock’s Resolution (FOHR) to “Preserve, protect and promote the unique historic aspects of Hancock’s Resolution for historical and educational purposes.” This historic treasure in Pasadena opened to the public in 1999 and in 2005 the 26- acre parcel was deeded to Anne Arundel County where it became part of the Parks and Recreation Department. However, the FOHR has continued to “manage” the property serving as docents during the season and with school groups year-round. 

Three years ago, Mr. Henry Schmidt, President of FOHR and direct descendant of the Hancock Family, approached the Information Management (IM) Signature Program at Chesapeake High to discuss ways to increase student exposure to the farm. FOHR had been hosting Fort Smallwood Elementary School for almost a decade, but the docents wanted to do more. So, three years ago, a collaboration between FOHR and IM began. Since that initial meeting they have worked together to create programs that provide exposure and education for the schools and students in the entire Chesapeake Cluster. This includes students visiting the farm and docents coming into schools to speak about the farm and Maryland History. 

The partnership’s success has stemmed from the process used to roll out a variety of programs. Some of the students hosted by FOHR are: 

  • Photography and Art Students visit to take pictures, sketch and paint. 
  • Environmental Sciences Students have a spring trip to test soil, identify indigenous plants and take water quality samples. 
  • Conversation and Environmental Clubs are designing community service projects to handle the phragmites that have invaded the original dock. 

The partnership’s biggest success is the collaboration between Child Development Students and FOHR. With all the docents over the age of 70, their primary concern was the ability to manage all day programs with various student groups. But Jennifer Figueroa, Child Development Teacher at CHS and Dianne Feeney, a docent at FOHR and former elementary school teacher at Bodkin, came up with a solution. 

The Chesapeake Child Development Students were trained by the docents on a variety of activities available at the farm–construction, gardening, farming etc. In turn, the students serve as “docents” to the elementary school students. The partnership has piloted with Pasadena ES, added Jacobsville ES the following year and are looking forward to adding a third school this year! 

The partnership continues to grow and look forward to the additional ways they can mutually benefit each other’s organizations.