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R L Forrest: Dairy Farmer, Citizen Scientist, Philanthropist

Come join us for a virtual archaeology presentation!

Guest speaker Dr. Jim Gibb will examine the life of Robert Lee Forrest, whose financial gift led to the development of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Anne Arundel County, MD.

In 1965, the Smithsonian received a bequest of $1.7 million and 360 acres on the Rhode River from a colorful, but enigmatic son of a Baltimore civil engineer, Robert Lee Forrest. Like the Institution’s first patron, James Smithson, Forrest was a life-long bachelor who fathered no children. From his gift the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center was founded. The Smithsonian Environmental Archaeology Laboratory (SEAL Team) is researching this scientific dairy farmer, citizen scientist and Smithsonian patron through deep dives into the archival record and archaeological investigation into his state-of-the-art dairy operation south of Annapolis, Maryland. This illustrated talk is the first public presentation of this unfolding work.

This presentation will be held live over Zoom. It will also be recorded and uploaded to the St. Mary's County Library YouTube channel.

If you would like to attend this event live and/or watch the recording, please register with an email address to receive the Zoom link the day before the event. The YouTube link to the recording will be emailed to everyone who registers for this program.

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