Some Histories Don't End Quietly

Part One: The War Over the River The Potomac River Oyster Wars weren’t fought with uniforms or declarations—but they lasted for generations. In Part One of this Family Thread series, Dravin’s Den explores the century-long conflict between Maryland and Virginia over oyster harvesting rights on the Potomac River. Long before gunfire, there were laws, livelihoods, and resentment shaped by borders that water refused to honor. This episode sets the stage for the events that led to the death of Berkeley Muse in 1959 and the end of the Oyster Wars. Sources referenced:Virginia Department of Historic Resources; Potomac River Fisheries Commission; Maryland Department of Natural Resources; Library of Congress Chesapeake Bay records; regional newspaper archives.CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK!