Planking shad at Marshall Hall, Maryland, on the Potomac, 1893. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Shad harvested and packed by slaves in the 1850’s, Virginia. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Shad populations were so prolific in the 19th century Chesapeake that harvests still took place within a stone’s throw of the Washington Navy Yard on the Potomac River. “The Washington Navy-Yard, with Shad Fishers in the Foreground.” Harpers Weekly, April 20, 1851. From collection of author.
