Later Years

After her retirement, Phebe continued with her research interests, particularly the history of the Native American tribes indigenous to Maryland. As was her habit, Phebe maintained copious handwritten notes drawn from painstaking research amongst the available primary and secondary sources. Her acknowledged expertise in the field led to her appointment to the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs.

On September 24, 1999, Phebe was honored with the presentation of the book, Imperfect Equality: African Americans and the Confines of White Racial Attitudes in Post-Emancipation Maryland (1999), dedicated to her by its author, Richard Paul Fuke. Fuke began his research on the topic of newly freed African Americans in Maryland after the Civil War. As a young student, the author remembered being shown the ropes of scouring various resources for historical documentation by a knowledgeable and patient Phebe Jacobsen. Over the subsequent years, Fuke continued to receive encouragement and advice from Phebe and was welcomed into her home along with his wife, Ellie, and their two young children. His whole family agreed that there was no one who more deserved the recognition a book dedication gives than his mentor through the years, Phebe. Mr. and Mrs. Fuke came to Annapolis from their home in Ontario to present a copy of the book to Phebe. The entire Archives staff joined in the celebration with cake and soft drinks.

In December 1999, Phebe participated in the unveiling of the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial at the Annapolis City Dock. The memorial featured life-size bronze statues of a seated Alex Haley reading the Roots saga to three children of different ethnicities. When interviewed by Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan, reporter for the Sun, Phebe remarked: "I think Alex would be very pleased with the statue. He was very special. I don't think you'll find another person like Alex for many years."

After her retirement from the Archives, Phebe participated in community activities for as long as she was able. Her reputation as an advocate for the study of Native American and African American history was well established and many fledging and established historians made regular pilgrimages to her home to seek her advise in research projects. The door was always open and a hot meal awaiting her friends who stopped by at lunch or after work. Even in retirement, her friends found Phebe to be as lively as ever, wanting to discuss research, books recently read, or articles of interest in the ever-present pile of newspapers and magazines she kept on her kitchen table. Visitors sometimes found that the cost of such hospitality was a quick lap around the block with her beloved Labrador, Phoenix.

I soon realized the [Phebe] was the heart and soul of the Hall of Records. She cared deeply about patrons and staff. She was a sympathetic listener and always gave freely of her time. She has unlimited patience and is always gracious. The Archives has been enriched by her presence. It will be diminished by her absence.

- Richard Richardson

Her life was a celebration of strength and diversity. The ripples from Phebe's life will continue to wash over our community, state and nation's history.

- Leonard Blackshear

We and the city are far richer -- probably more so than we will ever know -- for her generosity. Phebe will be sorely missed.

- Jean Russo
The Scrivener