An Island Out of Time (2019) 

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Beautiful people, Beautiful place, wonderful faith in God. You have a treasure for sure.

What a touching film that chronicles the lives of such salt of the earth people and their beloved home

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.

Honestly one of the most beautiful things ever is that ending

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.

I’m from Newport News, I love Smith island

Hello from Costa Rica! I wish your island thrive, beautiful people! I really do :)

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.

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.

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.

Don’t know how RU-vid got me here but great documentary. Heart warming

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.

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.

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!”

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.

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.

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...

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.

That was a beautiful piece. What wonderful people.

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!

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.

What a lovely & we'll done video. Not only informative but such a human story! I cried watching...

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?

i started working on my dads crabbing boat at the age of 13, in 1984. I been living on the paradise since then.

What a life they have lived there on Smith Island. Truthfully one of the most enjoyable documentaries I’ve ever watched. Thank you.

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🦀🦀🦀

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

How beautiful. What a gorgeous picture of the spirit of a place

I can’t believe this is Maryland It’s sooo… different from mainland MD.

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.

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.

I just love hearing a near south western English accent in reality in what maybe direct descendance in relative isolation over a number of centuries. Its magic, especially for any of us who have travelled for a time in their life, that can hear some sounds and know the general direction of where there from.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Well done! A simple, tastefull and humble doc. As are the island's inhabitants.

Such a well done film. Beautiful.

I visited Smith Island back in 84 while vacationing in Ocean City, MD. It seemed pretty lively back then.

Lovely film. I may live in Spain now but my grandparents´place in Tyaskin Md. is still home.

Beautiful Historical Story.

Maryland is such a beautiful place. Thank you for sharing this film! I truly enjoyed it.

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.❤️

A well produced film. Cheers

I'm there right now, in Ewell...rewatching this to see who I now recognize. lol.

A good life I would have loved to live- wrote down Smith Island mby one day I can visit - great vid Thanks 👍

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

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!

Love this place wholesome life with Jesus included ❤✝️

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!!!!!

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.

Love it! I will back on the Chesapeake soon. Don't eat all them oysters and crabs now!

These are the people you want to have as neighbors.

Great story. Well worth watching.

IT HURTS MY HEART TO HEAR THAT WATERMEN ARE DECESING I COULD NEVER

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.

😭😭😭 one of my dreams, breaks my heart.

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.

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 ! ❤

Just loved this video, thanks.

Thank you so much. We plan to visit this summer!

Smith and Tangier are SO cool.

Much love and peace! Hope to visit for crab cake sometime this summer when COVID is over.

Sadly erosion caused by tides and storms will claim this Island like the mythical Devon Island in the Novel Chesapeake.

Save the Chesapeake bay!

This was beautiful.

Loved this video

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.

Good shit, I enjoyed this very much

Stunning

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 .

fantastic

Youve inspired me to make a video on my hometown on the chesapeake with this one

Stand as one people keep the Stand strong

Beautiful place

Just wow!!

Good stuff !

Great documentary!

Lived on the water for the last 56 years and had no problems from the rising water

It would probably better to turn it into a park with a museum explaining the old culture.

Awesome!

I worked on Tangier Island close and very similar to Smith island

Always found the water nasty there.

I MAKE CRAB CAKED TODAY! AS THEY SAY, WATCH OUT FOR THE SHELLS ON THE SURFACE OF THE CRAB CAKES.

Omg those cake look amazing yummy

How about a tiny house community? There are tons of people looking for places to live in their tiny homes and this looks like an amazing place for such a mindful new community like they have started at Incredible Tiny Homes. They are looking for new places to partner with for their homes. Someone from the Island should contact them if they have a piece of land that would be good for it.

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

love you Dwight

Can you tell me what music that is playing??

If we were to dam the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, "from the eastern shore to Norfolk" along the same rout as the bridge tunnel, you could provide protection from rising seas for the whole of the Chesapeake Bay area, from Norfolk to Baltimore, Trillions of dollars in real estate would be saved and you could generate power with the tidal currents.