The family is not only committed to honoring their heritage but to preserving it, too. In the 1980s Jay and Susan bought back the historic Bucktown General Store, which had been in their family for more than a hundred years. The store plays a significant role in the life of Harriet Tubman, and the Meredith family have preserved the store exactly as it was in the 1830s. They operate the Bucktown General Store as a nonprofit and give periodic tours to visitors and educational groups.
“We do feel tied to this land, and I have always tried to instill a sense of pride in our children about Dorchester County and their heritage,” Jay says.
That sense of pride is what many say sets their tours apart from the average tourist experience.
“We aim to give visitors an authentic experience of the Blackwater,” Jay says. “Our family has lived and worked in these marshes since 1668, so when share its history, we feel like we are sharing our personal history, too.”