Name/Title
Boy ScoutsEntry/Object ID
1941.049.124Description
Print, photographic. Image of first Boy Scouts of Westminster by Mitchell photographic studio. Undated. Front of photo has "Mitchell" inscribed in lower right corner. Reverse side labeled "This picture was among the photographs treasured by Mary Bostwick Shellman. Paul [Reese] does not know what the group represents, but the names of the boys are: Jack Worthington, two Dinsts, Shriver, Fink, Shipley." Also labeled "First Boy Scouts." Photo shows six young boys aged about 6-9 years with uniforms, holding mock rifles, a drum and American flag. Picture mounted on heavy cardboard. Overall size 8" x 10"; image size 6.5" x 7.5".Context
Mary Bostwick Shellman played a significant role in organizing the first Boy Scout troop in Carroll County, considering it among her life's greatest works. When no one in town stepped up to form a troop after she penned a poem urging them to do so in the local newspaper, she decided to start the troop herself, despite being a woman. To circumvent the restrictions placed upon women at the time, she registered as the leader using her initials, "M.B. Shellman," leading others to assume she was male. Her deception was eventually revealed when someone submitted a form with the words "Miss Shellman," prompting her to write to the local council with characteristic independence, questioning how she could be deemed incapable of voting—still classed with "idiots, criminals and insane"—after successfully "fooling a lot of wise men a whole year into thinking I was a man" and handling the job.
Her dedication to the Boy Scouts had a lasting impact, particularly connecting them to civic duty and patriotism. During WWI, soldiers who had been her "boys" wrote to her from the trenches, reminding her that she had taught them "to follow the flag and to love my country". Mary also led the Boy Scouts in a Memorial Day parade during WWI recruitment efforts in May 1917.Acquisition
Accession
1941.049Source or Donor
Reese, PaulAcquisition Method
Gift
