MILFORD, Del. - The Milford Public Library will be hosting author Ed Kee in his presentation of the more than century long canning industry within Delmarva on May 10 at 1 p.m.
In collaboration with the Milford Museum American History Series, this event looks to showcase how the Delmarva Peninsula became central to America's canning industry.
According to the museum, nearly 400 canneries were in operation in Maryland and Delaware by the end of the 19th century, with over 1,800 people employed by these plants. Milford alone supported four to eight canneries into the 1960's, with towns like Bridgeville, Milton and Harrington adding to the industry.
Ed Kee previously served as Delaware's Secretary of Agriculture from 2009 until 2017. He also served as the farm manager for Nassau Orchards before joining the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension for 30 years.
Kee has also served as president of the National Association of State Department in 2010 and has authored or co-authored more than 30 articles focused on agriculture and history.
Last April, the museum hosted 'Lincoln's Last Hours' detailing how ordinary citizens became swept up in the first presidential assassination in the country's history.
