History, Can You Dig It?
Introduction To Quest
Your Park Quest Adventure at Sassafras Natural Resources Management Area (NRMA) will have you discover the history of the Turners Creek Area. Through a pretend archaeological dig and answering a series of questions about your finds, you will learn about the various inhabitants of this area and how they made a living.
Quest Information
The Park Quest Adventure at Sassafras NRMA is at Knock’s Folly Visitor Center, a majestic historic house. While at Knock’s Folly, teams will journey through time like a modern day Indiana Jones as they unearth artifacts through their pretend archaeological dig. As teams dig through different layers of earth, they will be looking for evidence of human and natural life. (Please note that you will be digging through sand, and do not need clothes to get muddy.) To receive credit for this quest, teams must have in their passports a rubbing of the medallion on the door of Knock’s Folly and an answer to a particular question. The quest may be completed seven days a week from 8 a.m. to sunset, and should take about an hour.
Want a little more adventure? Dip nets will be available for teams to visit the freshwater pond, located near the main parking lot at Sassafras NRMA. Teams will be able to try their hand at catching frogs, fish, dragonflies and other organisms. Identification guides will also be provided to help you learn about your finds.
For teams to make the most of their trip, they should visit on Saturdays or Sundays when the Knock’s Folly Visitor Center is open and staffed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Staff members will be able to assist you with your quest. Also, on the first and third Saturdays of each month, the Kent Museum, an easy walk or drive from Knock’s Folly, will be open from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Museum has historic farm equipment on display, and there is no admission fee to the museum.
You may print your questions out before you arrive at Sassafras, or you may pick up questions in a box by the dig site.
Print your Sassafras Worksheet here.
There is no cost for visiting the park. Pets are permitted as long as they are on a leash.
Park Information
The Sassafras NRMA was established in 1996 when the Department of Natural Resources purchased nearly 1,000 acres along the Sassafras River and Turners Creek. Turners Creek County Park has been a local access point to the river for many years and has a unique history as well. There are over seven miles of trails to explore the Sassafras NRMA, providing you with impressive views of the river area. For fishing enthusiasts, there is a freshwater pond and the Sassafras River. Wildlife is plentiful and visitors often see Bald Eagles, herons, deer, waterfowl and a variety of song birds.
Sassafras NRMA
13761 Turners Creek Road
Kennedyville, MD 21645
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude): 39.21.17.05N 75.59.04.14W
For any questions, call the park office at (410)-820-1668, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- From Western Shore: Take US-301 N/US-50 E across the Bay Bridge. Continue north on US 301 when US 301 and US 50 Split. Continue North on US 301 to MD 213. Exit onto MD 213 North toward Centreville. Travel approximately 23 miles (through Centreville and Chestertown). Turn left in Kennedyville on Rt 448. Cross Rt. 298 and continue on Turners Creek Road for about 2 miles. Knocks Folly will be on your right.
- From Salisbury/Ocean City: Take US-50 W/Ocean Gateway toward the Bay Bridge. Turn right on MD 213 North (by Chesapeake College). Continue on MD213 North toward Centreville. Travel approximately 27 miles (through Centreville and Chestertown). Turn left in Kennedyville on Rt 448. Cross Rt. 298 and continue on Turners Creek Road for about 2 miles. Knocks Folly will be on your right.
- From the North: From Elkton, take MD 213 South. Go approximately 18 miles to Galena. Turn right and continue to follow Rt. 213. In approximately 5 miles turn right on Rt 298. Travel about 1.5 miles and turn right on Turners Creek Road. Continue for approximately 2 miles. Knocks Folly will be on your right.
