Sunday, June 10, 2001, was Cap'n Herbie Sadler Appreciation Day in Annapolis and the event was celebrated at Cap'n Herbie Sadler Watermen's Park at the Annapolis Maritime Museum in Eastport. As Eastport Historian Mike Miron said in his Our Eastport column in the June 10, 2025 Capital), "It isn't often when a day isset aside to honor a waterman in our community." Cap'n Sadler was a very special watermen, not only to the history and maritime tradition of Eastport, but to the five generations of Sadlers that still live in the area. Here is a brief recap of a most enjoyable afternoon.

Museum volunteers prepared soft drinks and snacks for the 200 or so people who attended. Them Eastport Oyster Boys played in the shade of a tree behind the museum, with the continual parade of boats entering and leaving Back Creek as a backdrop.

Them Eastport Oyster Boys	Museum Board Member Dave Stahl

The program was kicked off by Museum Board Member Dave Stahl, who reminded everyone that the Barge House Museum, now the Annapolis Maritime Museum, has been operating on the very small annual budget of just $10,000. He expressed the hope that the City Council would agree to lease the McNasby's property next door to the Museum so that operations can expand. McNasby's is a 9000 square-foot building and the Museum stands to gain an additional 7000 square feet of exhibit space.

Stahl continued his remarks saying that while Baltimore prides itself as the City of Neighborhoods, Annapolis is a City of Families and added that this was evident today with the five generations of Sadlers in attendance.

	Annapolis Mayor Dean Johnson

Annapolis Mayor Dean Johnson read his proclaiming marking June 10, 2025 as Cap'n Herbie Sadler Appreciation Day and commented that Cap'n Sadler had a big heart and a big spirit. "He was born to be on the water," Mayor Johnson said, quoting Cap'n Sadler's his wife of many years, Gladys. Mrs. Sadler, now 94 years young, was in attendance.

Cap'n Sadler's daughter, Betty Meade	Mrs. Sadler

Speaking for the family, Cap'n Sadler's daughter, Betty Meade, thanked those in attendance and presented the museum with a financial donation. She said that had her father been there, he would have commented, "What's the big fuss?" and added that she and her siblings were brought up to give back to the community and to never turn away anyone in need. She said that her father loved Eastport and asked the kids why they would want to live anywhere else when they were already living in the best place in the world.

Pip Moyer, a long-time friend of Cap'n Sadler's fondly recalled days together years ago and said that Mrs. Sadler would always be the First Lady of Eastport.

Inside the museum there is information about Cap'n Sadler and his contribution to Eastport and its heritage.

—story & photos by Elvia Thompson

Postscript: Mrs. Sadler passed away on August 19, 2001. Her obituary.