An Island Out of Time (2019)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- This half-hour documentary features Mary Ada and Dwight Marshall, whose lives personify the Chesapeake Bay’s seafood-harvesting culture and history, and their four children - who chose to break with that tradition. The film, like Horton's 1996 book, An Island Out of Time, is both a celebration and elegy for a place beset with erosion, dwindling population and vanishing economic opportunities. A film by Tom Horton, Dave Harp, and Sandy Cannon-Brown.
I'll never forget as a kid , our fire department in Clarksville, md donated a firetruck to Smith's island, we took the mail boat from chrisfield. The people of Smith's island put on one hell of a feast for us.
so sad to watch a way of life that is passing and no way to stop it, i feel for the people that want to carry on but time is running short for them, thank god for the memories, i'm a child of the 50ts and i want to go back to that time again, the whole neighbor hood was a playground for hide and seek, kids played outside till 10 at nite in the summer, before tv , men pitched horseshoes till dark, catching fieflys was great, not video games. bring back the good ole days.
Rev Edward and Mary Gladden were my parent's, when I saw this it brought tears too my eyes God bless all of u
I wish all people could be people like these beautiful people. I’m from Florida and I shall visit you folks soon……not for the water but for your people. God bless you.
The Cornish oyster men still dredge with sailboats but their community is going through the same thing. The fishing coves and watermens cottages are being sold as holiday lets and they can’t afford to live there. It’s sad. It can’t be the end though things have always changed.
I lived on the water in Bushwood MD my whole life….some of my best times and memories are taking my 27’ runabout down the river past point Lookout across the bay to Smith Island and spend a night or two on the boat while enjoying the island folks and the great food there with my wife by my side…..simply a great place to be….can’t really do it anymore with old age health and economics today….but have no regrets
I came to the Chesapeake some 10-12 years ago with my sailboat and explore the Bay ever since. Some 5 years ago we visited Tangier Island and then Smith Island for the first time. It quickly became a favorite destination, one aspect being my wish to show my suburban preteen daughters that our / their lifestyle is not the only way. We stayed at Park's Marina on Tangier Island, and on the dock of "The Bakery" with the Jones family on Smith Island.
What I found most noteworthy is an experience at the local playground. A bunch of island kids were playing when we came walking by and decided to take a rest on a bench. One of them, a girl, maybe 9 or 10 years old came up to my 3 little princesses and invited them to play. They clearly wanted to join but were shy and insecure. It took encouragement but eventually they played with the local kids who explained the different games they created and how to play them. It turned into the group taking a walk across the island, the local kids showing places where to find crab, where a snake can be found and how to catch tadpoles.
I am still amazed by the social skills these kids demonstrated. Truth be told: my kids still find it inconceivable to live without fast speed internet but I hope the experience taught them something. And we will definitely come back.
I am a lifelong United Methodist and am smiling at the fact that Smith Island has that presence. Just wonderful.
What a touching film that chronicles the lives of such salt of the earth people and their beloved home
I’m from Newport News, I love Smith island
Beautiful people, Beautiful place, wonderful faith in God. You have a treasure for sure.
I'm currently reading Tom Horton's "An Island Out of Time" for the second time. Finding this film is a pure delight. The true Smith Island is so beautiful, more lovely than my dreamer's mind imagined it. I hope whoever reads this comment can share my enjoyment of the movie. With great thanks to Tom Horton, who wrote so poetically (like a waterman) that I fell in love with Smith Island from his words.
I haven't been to Smiths yet, but I've visited & photograph Tangier. I plan on going to both islands once a year to photograph them to preserve it
My last name is Tyler. Tylerton is part of my family history. Really cool to see this.
A wonderful documentary. Want to get away from all the rubbish of the world, move there. Growing up in the 60's through the mid 70's sailing on the Chesapeake out of Annapolis, my favorite memory was visiting Tangier Island. At age 63 I can still taste the food I ate there.
lol i feel the same grew up on Fort Myers beach 60s and 70s much like Smith island back then but we had a swing bridge to the main land all little beach cottages and simple life Now all ruined by development
Wow! I never heard of Smith Island until my daughter returned from a school trip yesterday and fell in love with the island, praying that it could be saved. She told me how pleasant and welcoming the residence whom remain were to them. Now I am intrigued. Love&light Smith Island.
Honestly one of the most beautiful things ever is that ending
My ancestor actually owned Smith Island. When my forefathers came here, they settled in what became Eastern Shore, VA.
Smith Island has been fought over by Maryland and Virginia for almost 3 centuries, but it really belongs to Virginia. I'm pretty sure it was my ancestor who started the feud because he was all but thrown out of Eastern Shore and went to Crisfield, MD, where he also owned property.
It doesn't belong to Virginia. Never has, never will.
@Ridley369 it was originally owned by my ancestor, who named it after himself, and he was one of the original English inhabitants of Eastern Shore, VA.
So, yes, Smith Island did indeed belong to the state of Virginia. As I said, when my ancestor was run out of town, and escaped across the Bay to Crisfield, Maryland suddenly claimed Smith Island as part of their territory.
I know my family history well. We have ample documentation to prove everything.
Island was founded (or maybe discovered) by Capt. John Smith in 1608, thus being called Smith Island.
Hello from Costa Rica! I wish your island thrive, beautiful people! I really do :)
The cake.. that is literally the second thing I was told to eat when I moved to DC for work- the first was crab cakes . Went to Vegas $$$ cafe ,and what did they have?!?! Chesapeake Bay crab cakes and Smith Island Cake!!!!!
I grew up across the Bay in Calvert County. I worked on crab and oyster boats, but everyone there said I was at my best charter fishing. I remember the group of captains I worked for liked fishing on the eastern shore. Later I visited smith, tangier and crisfield. The people there were amazing. True Marylanders. Like Jamie said “crab feasts and boating docking, that what Maryland does!”
Nice last name bud !
These are the people you want to have as neighbors.
Don’t know how TH-cam got me here but great documentary. Heart warming
That was a beautiful piece. What wonderful people.
I began reading "The Invisible Husband of Frick Island" and read the author based Frick Island off of Smith Island. I stumbled upon this delightful video and was enamoured by the souls who pour their hearts into their Island Home. Long live Smith Island.
My folks live not far from here, off Mobjack Bay, waterfrontish property close to Port Haywood, VA. I inherit the house when they pass, and while I certainly don't anticipate the desire to see them go at any point, I am excited to return to a place where there's a little bit more peace and quiet. Certainly far removed from the hustle and bustle of Ft. Worth, TX.
From Age 5 to Age 18, I grew up in Dover, DE, courtesy of the United States Air Force. Weird thing how I ended up finding this video, though. Last night, I dreamed about a camp I visited when I was growing up-a camp named Camp ESPA near Sharptown, MD. I looked it up this morning because I wanted to know for what the acronym ESPA stood. I clicked on the “map” icon and followed the river that flowed passed the camp, all the way down to the Chesapeake Bay, where I eventually found Smith Island. I remember a man with the last name Evans from my church growing up who hailed from Smith Island. His accent always intrigued me. So, I duck-duck-goed “Smith Island accent”, and somehow came across this video. Sad thing, though-when I turned 18, I couldn’t wait to move away from the Delmarva peninsula. And now that I’m 50, I long to to go back and take my daughter with me so that she can see my “stomping grounds”. Hearing the Smith Island brogue on this video really makes me miss my growing up years. The accent on the peninsula in general, while not as strong as on the island, brings back memories of simpler times. One of these days, I hope to return to the peninsula for a visit and take my husband and daughter with me. Currently, I live in Arkansas, where my husband was born and reared, but it’s not home. I think it’s interesting because when people meet me, they say, “You’re not from around here, are ya?” Crazy thing, though-a few months ago, one of the restaurant patrons in my section at work asked me, “Are you by any chance from Dover, DE?” I about fell out, because his question was very specific. Maybe there’s still a little bit of the Eastern Shore left in me after all.
I live in Delaware and just love the accent people have here. I grew up in Colorado which has a pretty flat accent. Wuter for water. Love I it.
@IcelanderUSer wooder, that's a philadelphia invention
i started working on my dads crabbing boat at the age of 13, in 1984. I been living on the paradise since then.
Thank you for sharing. I lived about 6 years of my early life in Accomac County on the Eastern Shore of Va. Such a wonderful time fishing, crabbing, kicking up oysters with our feet & my dad signing clams- he was really good at it. I always wanted to go to Tangier Island but was never able to go while we lived there. I live in Charlotte, NC now & have since 1972. My dear friends & I took a trip 2 years ago to Tangier & they loved it. It was so exciting to be able to finally fulfill my lifetime dream. I remember my dad talking about Smith Island. Thank you so much for sharing for life story there on the Chesapeake Bay- will always be near & dear to my heart. Since we take the ferry from Onnancock, Va. it doesn't go to Smith Island. It is so much closer for us to board in Va. since we are coming from N.C. It makes me sad thinking about how one day Smith, Tangier and all the other islands will be gone. wow! We used to go to Cedar Island ( at that time we had to weave through the marsh & inlets out to the island) which is in Accomac Co. back then, since all the shifting of the sands, now my friend said she can throw a ball & hit the island from her back yard now. THank you again. Bless you.
I never lived on the bay, but I spent a good part of my life crabbing & fishing on it. I wish for nothing but good fortune for the Smith island community.
I read a book about 40 years ago called "Beautiful Swimmers". All about the life of a young crabber on Smith Island. I still have the book. I loved the story he told and all about island life. I'd love to visit there some day. This video is along the same story as the book. Lovely people, hard working Christians raising families. My hat is off to you all. Thanks for the video.
th-cam.com/video/6a9dnlk9i3s/w-d-xo.html
My father was raised in Dames Quarter and I grew up visiting my pop pop and mom mom during the Summers. Those were some of the best days of my life. I love this documentary.
Grew up in Annapolis and spent time on the bay. Met a lot of watermen at the dock by Sadler’s. The draft got me in 67, wound up in Hawaii for 50 years. Plenty of water out here, but I’m hoping to get back home one day. Remarkable film.
Geologically speaking, t's not so much that the sea is rising as it is the land is isostatically sinking. If you were to move north up the N. American continent into Canada, you would find the land there to be isostatically rising.
Lovely doc, btw. Such a beautiful place full of nice hardworking people.
Not from Smith island but have grown up on a 6 by 9 mile island on Lake Erie. And much the same as it is there with the lake rising. The once quiet little pebble beaches hidden by the poplars along side of the road. Are now gone and replaced by limestone boulders to hold the shore line from lake Erie's constant weathering. The sounds of the old four cylinder tractors plowing the fields are long gone. There's still no fast food or movie theater. And the one gas pump is still located at the co-op the other at the south slip is now gone along with the marina. And over the past two decades more and more of the young adults leave the island for much the same reasons everywhere. Job's the benefits the stores fast food and the roadways. Things a little island doesn't need and couldn't support anyhow. But there was always such an amazing feeling being there. You were community. And furthermore a family. Each one responsible for the next. That is the one thing I will always embrace. But now will miss dearly. Because as the young move away so do the old and all leave the island a little less filled. And looking at society now. What I wouldn't give to have that one vestige of community back to live out my days in. But with each time I set foot on the island there's less and less of the smiles and voices that filled my eyes and ears of sense of love and community. And I can't help but wonder if this isn't a microcosm of this world in general?
How beautiful. What a gorgeous picture of the spirit of a place
Thank you for this, the Beautiful Swimmers film, and Thinking Like a Watershed. Outstanding work. As are Mr. Horton's fine books. What a life well spent. Just beginning a similar journey myself in my midlife. We'll see where (else) it takes us...
Absolutely love Smith Island. My ex-wifes family is from there. There last name is Somers. Don't know if there are any Somers left on the island but I did see many of their Headstones when we went there.
Such a beautiful area, we have been there several times. The spirit, dedication, and tradition of the People ,you don't forget once you see it. And the food, especially the Crab Cakes and Oysters are amazing. If I were younger I would move there🦀🦀🦀
This is really a lovely film, and if a wonderful community. Went there in 87 w my wife who was just pregnant w our daughter, who's 37 now. The little store made us some supper when we got there; made us a nice oyster stew. Stayed in a little hotel. The next say we had community dinner at one of the churches, I think.
What a lovely & we'll done video. Not only informative but such a human story! I cried watching...
Absolutely amazing, moving, and thought provoking . My husband and I visited many years ago, along with Crisfield and Tangier, on our honeymoon ....... and people have often asked us "why?" throughout the years! Though we always knew... no one could have said it better than Tom Horton. While thinking of beautiful days gone by almost 40 years later, I am thrilled to have found this through the ability to search on the internet. Time and place are truly a state of mind in many ways, and I am back there once again, looking forward to returning someday soon.
When you move a thousand miles away from where you grew up on a dairy farm and go back to the area 21 years later and many of the dairy farms are shut down because the younger generations didn't want to continue them it's sad.
you were the younger generation when you left
@@hairyyeti21 Sorry, but it was my stepfather's farm...NOT THE FAMILY FARM. OH and my stepfather only had the farm for 8 years and lost it.
Dairy farmers have had it tough for a long time now and there aren’t any signs of things getting better. I can’t blame people for giving up
@@jamesgillam9656 A lot of of the older farms are obsolete with the way they're built. Small farmers have to join a co-op or face bankruptcy.
So you flatten your old farm & build a new one for over a million dollars? A million dollars is plenty of retirement,emergency, and school money for your children.
Grew up lewes de. Money came to town, don't recognize it anymore. Dairy farm, sold now, going to build 2000 homes and shopping. Never be the same.
Such a well done film. Beautiful.
this was an unbelievably good documentary
USED TO CRAB IN THE BACK BAYS OF OCEAN CITY! 100'S OF THEM. WHAT A DINNER WE HAD. I EVEN BROUGHT MY CRABBING POT FROM HOME!
Turn caps lock off, boomer.
Iam 52 years young I live in prince William County Virginia 30 miles south of D.C down highway 95 have been going to Ocean city Maryland all my life have been to all these little town over my lifetime with uncles and aunts my family just like these little communities my family is losing older members the younger ones just don't find it interesting like us older people do but 1 day they will think dammit wish I would have payed attention or went there with my dad or mom or aunts and uncles when they are gone that's it just like these little towns
What a life they have lived there on Smith Island. Truthfully one of the most enjoyable documentaries I’ve ever watched. Thank you.
I was camping in cherrystone years ago with my girls. I fell in love with the chesapeake Bay. Over the years, I loved Virginia's eastern shore. The way of life, slowed pace, enjoyment of tranquility. I recently bought a building lot, although on the east side (boughs bay) it's in Atlantic, Va. I look forward to building a home and spending my last years in Virginia's eastern shore. Lewes Delaware has become so over developed it's not the same place I grew up in.
Lewes delaware is where I live. I agree it's too over developed and I've lived here for 20 years. Plan on moving soon. They can have the traffic.
Well done! A simple, tastefull and humble doc. As are the island's inhabitants.
Very well done documentary! Thanks so much for posting it. I'm one of the Mister family who made the island home during the 1700's.
I live in near by Cecil county, and these people are the salt of the earth. God Bless them all.
i grew up in island park and long beach ny. and loved the marsh lands! i still know all the creeks at certain tides. and show my friends kids.
I started doing some research on smith island after having Smith island banana cake at a restaurant outside of ocean city MD. I believe I will visit the island.
My Mom and Uncle grew up in Keller, and moved to Alexandria in their teens. My dad's people are from Alexandria, and that's where I grew up. But I have fond memories of the shore. I learned to ride horses there, and I well remember the second home my Aunt and Uncle owned. His heart was on the water, I can tell you, and his boat was not often docked when they stayed there. Sometimes I wish I had relocated to the shore in retirement years, but I'm on the other side of VA now. I'll be back, though, because my Mom wanted her cremains to rest in Keller.
Thank you for making this video.
Lovely film. I may live in Spain now but my grandparents´place in Tyaskin Md. is still home.
I visited Smith Island back in 84 while vacationing in Ocean City, MD. It seemed pretty lively back then.
I haven't been to Ocean City in years, but you just made me want Thrashers fries, darn it. Thanks for that. lol
I can’t believe this is Maryland
It’s sooo… different from mainland MD.
The Eastern Shore of MD is a whole other world from the rest of MD.
@@ronshawver6880 It's not different from Southern Maryland. SoMD and the Eastern Shore are the last bastions of Maryland culture.
Beautiful Historical Story.
Born and raised In Baltimore and fill up with tears when o think of southern md .and eastern shore and its sweet people that have so much history and pride.1608 is when they pioneered to Smith island.Think about it.I hope Dear Lord preserves this plase
I'm there right now, in Ewell...rewatching this to see who I now recognize. lol.
Came across Hooper Island on google maps in search of a new fishing spot. Glad to know there's a bit of history behind it. Can't wait for warmer weather!
Hey there. I used to fish out of Crisfield out toward Smith Island. A place called "The Puppy Hole". I'd head out to buoy #8 I believe it was and head north for about 100 yards or so. The Rock fish hung out on a ledge that went from about 50' to 30'. Used a "Sting Silver" lure about 3 oz. if I remember correctly. Haw River Tackle out of NC. Tore them up!!! Ever heard of The Puppy Hole? Ask the locals. As soon as that thing hit the bottom, hold on!!! Sure do miss it.
I just left hooper island- it’s a amazing place. I have never felt so at peace in my life
Such a beautiful family and story about their lives on this beautiful island. Thank you for sharing, I may come and visit you and your beautiful island.❤️
i grew up on Fort Myers beach back in the 60s and 70s where life was much just like this Now days the little beach cottages are all gone and side by side condos and the island is sinking fro all the concrete So glad that Smith Island did not go that route My heart is so sad for what has been lost to progress and modern life i just grew up 50 years to late lol
A well produced film. Cheers
Love this place wholesome life with Jesus included
❤✝️
I love James A Michener’s book & read it several times.
On Medicare now? Socialism! Kidding! Great people, lovely place and Lord what a beautiful bride she was, and later the best wife ever! I fished well over 30 years in Nova Scotia Canada and I have a great respect for these folks! I dealt with ice, snow and storms but we are brother fishermen (water men as you say). Respect!
This was a wonderful documentary. I have here from another video on Smith Island featuring islander Jerry Smith and that also was fantastic.
A good life I would have loved to live- wrote down Smith Island mby one day I can visit - great vid Thanks 👍
Maryland is such a beautiful place. Thank you for sharing this film! I truly enjoyed it.
Sadly erosion caused by tides and storms will claim this Island like the mythical Devon Island in the Novel Chesapeake.
This was great ! Growing up on the shore not too far from wye mills and dropping my dads boat in there every summer this sure does take me back and hit home ! ❤
IT HURTS MY HEART TO HEAR THAT WATERMEN ARE DECESING I COULD NEVER
Youve inspired me to make a video on my hometown on the chesapeake with this one
Excellent video Beautiful pics TY Smith Island All the Best
Great story. Well worth watching.
Love it! I will back on the Chesapeake soon. Don't eat all them oysters and crabs now!
Much love and peace! Hope to visit for crab cake sometime this summer when COVID is over.
Just loved this video, thanks.
Oh man.. I was born too late and in the wrong place. I wish I coulda been born and raised there some like 50 or so yrs ago
This video, and some of the comments, makes me shake my head at how long it takes humans to acknowledge change. Yeah, islands change shape and size over time, yeah, industries change over time...change is about the only thing that doesn't change. Adapt or die. In about thirty years, that island will be underwater and this video will be put into a time capsule for the Waterworld people.
Thank you so much. We plan to visit this summer!
What a great place! I just watched Pete Santello (sp) that did a video on both islands , Smith and the other one inside it and it reminded me of a book about the same area, but it was about Oystermen and Chesapeake Bay Area, it’s “Skipjack” by Christopher White. I’m starting to wonder if I’m not meant to go to that Island, it just sounds perfect for me…..It’s most definitely on my bucket list….
Where can you buy her crab cakes? I live on the shore but always willing to support business and I kinda want to try them lol.
Smith and Tangier are SO cool.
This was beautiful.
😭😭😭 one of my dreams, breaks my heart.
Lived on the water for the last 56 years and had no problems from the rising water
I went to Negril lighthouse and it was said to be a gift of the French government.It had a natural flame for the light.When I went there one could read the actual logs from the nineteenth and early twentieth century It was supposed to be digitized for years before .
I grew up across the bay west. I left........ and hope they never leave.
Pick any place in the U.S. where someone has lived there entire life and they'll all say the same thing. And all the History of that area leaves with they're last breath.
I worked on Tangier Island close and very similar to Smith island
Good shit, I enjoyed this very much
Beautiful place
Loved this video
Stand as one people keep the Stand strong
As a kid, in the 80s, my family went to a church service and then ate at someones house. Different times. I dont remember if it was Smith or Tangier.
Nobody has mentioned Smith Island cakes. Delicious. Especially the Red Velvet Cake.
Stunning
umm going to bed at 8pm then getting up a 2 , 2-30am is still only 6 hrs of sleep. not good for the ole' weight gain.
Always found the water nasty there.