This talk will trace the 50-year history of The Chatham Railroad from 1887 to 1937\, including its key role in the mobility of Chatham&rsquo\;s residents and the advancement of the town&rsquo\;s economy. The talk will also draw on the photographic collection of the Chatham Railroad Museum to illustrate the stations on the line\, the equipment used\, the route of the railroad\, and its connection to the national railroad system.
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\nAbout Our Speakers

Gilchrist (&ldquo\;Gil&rdquo\;) Sparks is a retired Delaware corporate lawyer and a lifelong railroad enthusiast. He met his wife of 55 years in Chatham and has had a second home in Chatham for 35 years. Since 2021 Gil has been co-director of the Chatham Railroad Museum after serving a number of years as a volunteer. Among the many leadership positions Gil has held during his career are Chairman of the Delaware State Board of Bar Examiners\, the Corporation Law Committee of the Business Law Section of the American Bar Association\, the Corporation Law Section of the Delaware Bar Association\, the Tulane Corporate Law Institute\, and the Board of Trustees of the University of Delaware. He is a graduate of Yale University (B.A.) and the University of Pennsylvania (J.D.)\, received an honorary degree from the University of Delaware\, and was awarded the Order of the First State by the Governor of Delaware.
\nMr. Sparks will be joined by Mr. Rick Jenkins of the Chatham Railroad Museum staff.
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\nAbout Chatham Marconi Maritime Center
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\nFounded in 2002\, the Center is a 501(c)(3) organization which preserves the history of Chatham Radio/WCC and celebrates 20th Century maritime communication through interpretive museum exhibits\, educational programs and community engagement. \; \;The Center comprises the historic Marconi-RCA Wireless Museum and an Education Center offering education in communications science and technology. \; These programs include the Chatham Marconi TechSmart outreach initiative that delivers original wireless technology instruction directly to children in Cape Cod classrooms. \; More at: \;www.ChathamMarconi.org.
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\nAbout the Chatham Marconi Speaker Series
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\nPrograms are usually presented on on the first Thursday of each month from September through June\, and on alternate Thursday evenings during the Summer. \; Subjects are drawn from the resources of the Marconi-RCA Wireless Museum\, the museum'\;s education programs\, or member-suggested topics related to our mission. \;