In this presentation, Mark Letzer explores the surviving silver from the workshops of Annapolis silversmiths in the 1700s. He not only illustrates the few surviving objects but illuminates the lives of these craftsmen not only as silversmiths but as members of a larger community. From taverns to social gatherings and their workshops, Letzer will share the background and histories of these fascinating men.

The Historic Annapolis Virtual Lecture Series is offered free of charge thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor. If you enjoy this program, we hope you will consider becoming a member or making a donation today to support Historic Annapolis and our mission to connect all people with our shared history. 

Can’t watch live? All lectures will be recorded. Please register and you’ll receive the link to watch the recording after the event.

Advance registration required; registration closes on half-hour prior to lecture. 

Cost: FREE

This lecture will be offered virtually by Zoom. Upon registration, you will be sent the link for the video conference to join on the evening of the lecture. If you do not receive your confirmation email after you register, please check your Spam folder, or email Cara Garside at cara.garside@annapolis.org. To learn more about Zoom and to download the app to your computer, visit the Zoom website.

About Our Presenter: Mark Beatson Letzer is the former President and CEO of the Maryland Center for History and Culture, formerly the Maryland Historical Society. He was involved with the organization for twenty-eight years, serving as President for seven. Letzer co-edited The Diary of William Faris: The Daily Life of an Annapolis Silversmith in 2003 with Jean B. Russo. In 2006 he curated the exhibition A Gardener’s Tale: The Eighteenth-century world of Annapolis Silversmith William Faris at the Maryland Historical Society. In 2021, Letzer authored the chapter on silver in The Material World of Eyre Hall published by the Maryland Center for History and Culture in association with D. Giles Limited.  Letzer also authored the chapter “From Slave to “Self-Taught Genius” in the catalog Joshua Johnson: Portraitist of Early American Baltimore published by the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts in Hagerstown, 2021. Letzer has lectured and published widely throughout Maryland and the mid-Atlantic on silver and decorative and fine arts. He is also Executive Producer of the documentary Liberty of Conscience: The Founding of Maryland released in 2025. 

The information contained in the HA Virtual Lecture series represents the historical research, views and opinions of the lecture presenter and may not represent the views or opinions of Historic Annapolis, Inc.