Candlesticks, Garret County:

From the USS Maryland Silver Service

Maker: Samuel Kirk & Sons (1815-1979)
Objects: Candlesticks, Garrett County
Date: 1906
Medium: Sterling Silver
Dimensions: Overall height 12 3/8", Diameter of base, 5 1/8"
Accession number(s): MSA SC 1545-0921-1-6

The USS Maryland silver service includes a total of six candlesticks that represent Garrett County in Western Maryland. Garrett County is the largest and newest county in Maryland; it was created in 1872 and named in honor of John Work Garrett, president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Two of the candlesticks are aboard the USS Maryland SSBN 738, where they are displayed with two pieces from Charles County.

The design of the candlestick is modeled after the red maple tree; the shaft is formed from the trunk, while sprays of maple leaves adorn the shoulder, sconce, and base, representing the two principal industries of Garrett County at the time, maple sugar and coal. This form was included in the original design sketches submitted by Kirk in 1905.

The candlesticks are the only pieces in the service that do not have an Eagle (representing the nation) or a hospitality horn on them. Of the 12 scenes on the candlesticks, only one is actually in Garrett County: the Stone Arch Bridge at Grantsville. All of the other scenes are related to the National Road and are located in Alleghany County (3 scenes) and the state of Pennsylvania (8 scenes). The commission decided to focus on the story of the historical importance of the National Road, now known as Route 40, and westward expansion rather than scenes specifically located in Garrett County.

Individual Candlesticks:

Candelstick 1, Scenes 47 & 48
Candelstick 2, Scenes 49 & 50
Candelstick 3, Scenes 51 & 52
Candelstick 4, Scenes 53 & 54
Candelstick 5, Scenes 55 & 56
Candelstick 6, Scenes 57 & 58