Ukrainian Communities in Maryland — Yes, Even on the Eastern Shore!

Jane Jewell • April 26, 2022

Ukraine and U.S. flags. Photo: Beverly Lussier via Pixabay


A Chinatown, a Little Italy, and other such communities are found in most large cities. But who knew that there are vibrant Ukrainian communities across America? And there have been for well over a century. Yes, even in Maryland and on the Eastern Shore.

 

In fact, the very first immigrant from Ukraine came to North America as early as 1607. Ukrainian Ivan Bohdan sailed to Jamestown, Va., with John Smith. Bohdan had befriended Smith when that English explorer and adventurer was fleeing from captivity during the Long Turkish War of 1593-1606.

 

Ukrainians have been coming to America ever since, though mainly in low numbers until the late 1870s when the first large wave of Ukrainians to the U.S. began. This wave continued into the first decade of the 20th Century. Most of these immigrants went to New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, though there were communities in other states, principally Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and North Dakota, as well as enclaves in both Alaska (from the 1860s) and Hawaii (starting in 1895). At first, most of the immigrants were men who generally worked in the mines, mills, and factories, though a few, especially in North Dakota, took up farming. By World War I, 98% of the roughly 350,000 Ukrainian immigrants were settled in the northeastern states, with 70% in Pennsylvania. From there, many spread south into Delaware and Maryland. One of those early large Ukrainian enclaves was in Baltimore. The greater New York/New Jersey metropolitan area along with Pennsylvania is still — over 100 years later — the home to the largest numbers of Ukrainian-born or -descended residents.

 

The next big wave of Ukrainian immigration started after World War II when about 80,000 Ukrainian refugees were re-settled in the U.S. between 1947 and the early- to mid-1950s. Quite a few came to the Eastern Shore. One of Common Sense’s staff writers, George Shivers, recalls knowing such a family when he was growing up in a small town just outside of Salisbury.

 

The next major influx of Ukrainians occurred in the 1990s when thousands of Ukrainians left after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. That same year, Ukraine became an independent nation. International travel and emigration became easier, and many Ukrainians took advantage of the opportunity, moving for political, economic, and/or religious reasons to the U.S. and other western countries.

 

Today Ukrainian Americans in the U.S. number over a million, making the U.S. home to the second largest Ukrainian population outside of Europe. The largest is located in our neighbor to the north, Canada. Many Ukrainians emigrated first to Canada then south to the US.

 

Click to see maps showing the location of larger Ukrainian communities in the U.S., from City-Data


Today, there is still a large Ukrainian community in the Baltimore area, with smaller pockets of Ukrainian immigrants and their descendants throughout Maryland. For example, in the early 2000s, Pikesville, at 4.5%, had the 13th highest percentage in the U.S. of residents born in Ukraine. By 2020, that percentage had decreased to 2.8% while Reisterstown’s Ukraine-born population had grown to 3.3%.

 

In Wilmington, Del., there are two Ukrainian churches — St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church and Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Rev. Stephen Hutnick, the priest at Sts. Peter and Paul, is also the minister of a Ukrainian church just south of the Delaware border in Whaleyville, Md.

 

Ukraine has become a popular country for U.S. couples to adopt children from because Ukraine’s regulations make the process both quicker and less expensive than adoptions from most other countries. While the exact number is not known, there are quite a few such adopted children on the Eastern Shore. The current Russian invasion has interrupted adoptions currently in process.


Pysanky, or traditional Ukrainian decorated eggs. Photo: Alisa Mizikar via Pixabay


In recent years, many Ukrainian young people have spent their summers working at various beach resorts in Delaware and on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. If you’ve eaten in a restaurant in Rehoboth Beach, Del., or Ocean City or other Maryland beach resorts, there’s a good chance you were served by one of the many young Ukrainians spending their summers there earning money and learning English. It’s unknown at this point how many of these seasonal workers from Ukraine will be able to come this summer. Fundraisers to send aid to Ukraine have been started by several organizations and businesses in these resort towns, including the Berlin Sconer and the Purple Parrot in Rehoboth.

 

If you would like to help Ukrainian war refugees, there are several organizations with direct contacts to communities in Ukraine.

 

A Ukraine Emergency Fund has been opened by The Associated Jewish Federation of Baltimore with all donations going to provide support to Odessa and other communities in Ukraine. Donations to can be made at associated.org/Ukraine or call the Donor Center team at 410-369-9300 or mail a check to:

 

The Associated Jewish Federation of Baltimore Attn: Donor Center,

101 W. Mount Royal Ave.

Baltimore, MD 21201

 

The St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Wilmington, Del., suggests that people send a check to:

 

Ukrainian Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia 

810 N. Franklin St.,

Philadelphia PA 19123

 

Please write on the check “Humanitarian Aid Fund for Ukraine.”

 

Or donate on the Philadelphia Archdiocese’s website: click on Donate through PayPal and select War Victims and Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine.



Sources and more information:

"Top 101 cities with the most residents born in Ukraine (population 500+),” City-Data

https://www.city-data.com/top2/h65.html

 

“Why the fight in Ukraine is deeply personal for some people in coastal Maryland, Delaware,” Emily Lytle, Delmarva Now, Mar. 3, 2022

https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/2022/03/02/russia-ukraine-war-delaware-beach-maryland-towns/6981045001/

 

“Ukrainian Americans", Every Culture https://www.everyculture.com/multi/Sr-Z/Ukrainian-Americans.html

 

St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, Baltimore, Md.

https://www.stmichaelukrainiancatholicbaltimore.org/

 

 “History of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church,” St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, Wilmington, Del.

https://stnicholaschurchde.org/church-history/

 

“The History of Ukrainian Immigration to the US,” Ukrainian American Media

https://uapost.us/en/blog/the-history-of-ukrainian-immigration-to-the-us/

 

U.S. Census Bureau, "American FactFinder — Results". factfinder.census.gov. Archived from the original on 2020-02-14. Retrieved 2018-04-23.

 

 

Jane Jewell is a writer, editor, photographer, and teacher. She has worked in news, publishing, and as the director of a national writer's group. She lives in Chestertown with her husband Peter Heck, a ginger cat named Riley, and a lot of books.


Common Sense for the Eastern Shore

Trump Targets US Wind Permit, but Legal Experts See Slim Chances

By Jan Plotczyk • August 27, 2025
The Trump administration has moved to revoke the federal permit for US Wind’s offshore wind farm, throwing one of the Eastern Shore’s most significant economic and energy projects into uncertainty. While the legal fight plays out, supporters emphasize what the project means here at home: jobs, lower bills, and new opportunities for the Shore. US Wind’s planned investment of more than $1 billion would ripple through local economies. Thousands of well-paying jobs are tied to construction, operations, and supply chains, with work ranging from skilled trades to steel fabrication. The project’s turbines, located about 10 miles off Ocean City, are designed to generate enough clean energy to power more than 718,000 homes. Advocates argue that it will reduce reliance on fossil fuels, alleviate price pressures on families, and enhance Maryland’s grid reliability. “This project is about jobs, affordability, and securing our energy future,” said Nancy Sopko, US Wind’s vice president of external affairs. She noted that the permits were issued after years of rigorous review and remain legally sound. The Oceantic Network, a Baltimore-based nonprofit representing the offshore wind industry, underscored that the project will also support Maryland’s manufacturing base, pointing to the steel fabrication facility planned for Sparrows Point. “Once completed, the Maryland project and Sparrows Point steel will enhance our national security and economic freedom by directly supporting steel mill investments and bringing back important steel fabrication capabilities to America,” said Sam Salustro, the group’s senior vice president. For Eastern Shore residents, the promise of steady work and lower electricity bills is a rare opportunity in a region often left behind in statewide economic growth. Shore Progress , a grassroots progressive organization, vowed to defend the project: “This fight will be won in the courtroom and in the General Assembly, with strong allies like Governor Moore, Lt. Governor Miller, and the members of the Maryland General Assembly standing with us.” Gov. Wes Moore, who has made clean energy central to his administration’s agenda, has called attempts to cancel the project “utterly shortsighted.” He pointed to the looming demand for new electricity sources and warned that scrapping offshore wind would lead to higher utility rates across the state. Often backed by oil and gas lobbyists and out-of-state tourism groups, opponents argue that the turbines could affect views or local fishing. However, similar claims have been unsuccessful in courts in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, where projects have proceeded despite high-profile challenges. The Trump administration has tried to block offshore wind several times before, including New York’s Empire Wind and Massachusetts’s Vineyard Wind, but in each case, courts upheld the projects. Supporters believe the same outcome is likely here. For now, the administration has until Sept. 12 to finalize its action. Until then, the future of a project poised to reshape the Shore’s economy and energy future remains tied up in the courts. Jan Plotczyk spent 25 years as a survey and education statistician with the federal government, at the Census Bureau and the National Center for Education Statistics. She retired to Rock Hall.

Surprise! Andy Harris is Not Listening to His Constituents About Offshore Wind

By Jan Plotczyk • August 27, 2025
“For many years, my constituents across the First Congressional District have been overwhelmingly clear: they do not want offshore wind off their coast.” ~ Rep. Andy Harris (MD-01), July 11, 2025 Congressman Andrew P. Harris (R-MD-01) has not accomplished much in his 15 years in Congress, but he has become famous for being Maryland’s regressive anti-offshore wind farm champion — no matter how his constituents feel about it or the benefits that would accrue to them. He has called offshore wind an existential threat to local economies, and claims it poses a risk to national security and will cause great harm to marine life and the environment. And he has consistently maintained that his “constituents across the First Congressional District have been overwhelmingly clear: they do not want offshore wind off their coast.” However, a recent poll of Eastern Shore residents found that There is solid support for offshore wind. Strong majorities are convinced that wind projects will create jobs, improve health conditions, and support American energy independence. The poll found that 51% of Eastern Shore residents support building offshore wind farms off the coast of Maryland; only 37% say they are opposed, and 12% gave no opinion.

Federal Harm Registry Seeks Reports From Citizens Hurt by Trump Policies

By Gren Whitman • August 27, 2025
Last January 20, President Trump raised his right hand to swear that he’d “preserve, protect, and defend” the United States Constitution. Surprise! He quickly ignored his oath and continues to. Hourly. Upon taking the oath, Trump ordered his minions — guided by the extremist right-wing handbook, “Project 2025” — to carry out an across-the-board assault on the federal government and various private institutions. This assault continues. Millions of American citizens have already been harmed by Trump’s betrayal, and many more millions will be injured until his depredations are stopped. Welcome to the Federal Harm Registry! Initiated and managed by the Maryland Democratic Party, this registry offers an immediate remedy to Trump. Here’s tangible means to fight Trumpism. The Federal Harm Registry is designed to document the myriad adverse effects of Trump’s maladministration! It’s the tool to register every specific harm citizens have experienced or witnessed. Eastern Shore residents, no matter if we are Democrats, Republicans, or Independents, must be active, not passive! Consider: As a college student, have you been denied a Pell grant? Has your family been denied SNAP benefits? As a Shore farmer, is your corn or soybean crop losing its value? As a Shore resident needing medical insurance, have you lost your Medicaid? Have you been harmed by work requirements for Medicaid and food stamps? Has your child’s vaccine become unavailable because of an HHS mandate? As a federal employee, have you been laid off or fired without cause? Have you been terminated from the U.S. military because of your sexual identity? Are Trump’s illegal tariffs forcing you spend more for food and other necessities? Do you know anyone adversely affected by the closure of Head Start for poor children, as well as child welfare, juvenile justice, and youth care programs? The Federal Harm Registry invites Marylanders to document each type of damage to them personally from harmful federal policies under Trump. The registry also offers Marylanders a megaphone to voice their frustrations and fears, and their vision for improving our country. The Federal Harm Registry is a space for Maryland residents to report their personal stories — cuts to health care, higher living costs, job losses, housing problems, civil rights attacks, or any other consequences of this administration’s harmful policies. These reports will document and provide a guide for the eventual reversal of what’s happening in Maryland and in D.C. So, take your first step to report any harm to you by contacting federalharmmd.com ! At federalharmmd.com, you will be able to: Write or record your story; Report any harm you’ve experienced, share an opinion, expose federal malpractices, and advocate for policies that help — not injure — Maryland families; and Help to publicize the Federal Harm Registry by sharing on Facebook, X, or LinkedIn. 

Salisbury Awaits Accountability as Mayor Taylor Promises Report on Fourth Car Accident

By CSES Staff • August 27, 2025
When Salisbury Mayor Randy Taylor released a public statement on Aug. 4 following his involvement in a traffic incident with a pedestrian with a walker, he promised “a final report of facts in the next 10 days.” That deadline has now arrived, and city residents are waiting to see if the mayor will follow through on his promise. The Aug. 4 accident marked Taylor’s fourth vehicle-related incident since he took office less than two years ago, fueling public concern about what many describe as a troubling “pattern of recklessness.” In his statement, Taylor described the South Boulevard collision as “minor,” claiming that only the wheel of the pedestrian’s walker struck his vehicle and that the individual refused medical treatment. He emphasized his cooperation with the Maryland State Police investigation and insisted that “all protocols were followed.” But eyewitness testimony and photos circulating online continue to cast doubt on that account. One bystander alleged the mayor struck the pedestrian in the crosswalk and initially drove on “as if he had hit a cone” before returning to the scene. Images shared widely on social media show a shaken pedestrian, supported by his walker, while Taylor inspects his vehicle. The incident has renewed calls for transparency. Residents are demanding to know if mandatory post-accident procedures, including drug and alcohol testing for city employees, were applied to the mayor. “If this were a city worker, they’d be gone by now,” one commenter said. “Why does the mayor get special treatment?” Taylor says he wants to be “forthcoming” with citizens, stressing that the intersection where the accident occurred underscores the “need for continued effort for pedestrian safety.” As of press time, no final report has been released by the Maryland State Police or the Salisbury Police Department. The mayor’s office has not provided updates beyond his initial statement. For many in Salisbury, the delay only deepens frustration. “It’s about trust,” said one resident in a community forum. “Four accidents in two years is not normal. We’re tired of excuses.”

Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall Launches Exploratory Campaign for Congress in Maryland’s First District

By CSES Staff • August 27, 2025
Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall has announced the formation of an exploratory committee to consider if he should seek the Democratic nomination for Congress in Maryland’s First Congressional District, currently represented by Republican Andrew P. Harris. A two-term mayor and lifelong Eastern Shore resident, Tyndall said his decision reflects recognition of the challenges facing the region and his belief that the Eastern Shore needs a “commonsense Democrat” willing to prioritize solutions over partisan politics. “In a time of growing division and political extremes, it’s clear that Maryland’s First Congressional District needs more than partisan soundbites. It needs solutions,” Tyndall said in a statement on his campaign website, zacktyndall.com. “As mayor, I didn’t wait on Washington to act. I built consensus, cut red tape, and delivered results.” Tyndall pointed to his nearly decade-long tenure in local government, highlighting efforts to balance budgets, improve responsiveness during emergencies, and streamline municipal operations. He described his leadership as “rooted in community, not party.” In a social media post on Aug. 26, Tyndall elaborated on why he is testing the waters for a congressional run. “I have chosen to create a congressional exploratory committee because the people of Maryland’s First Congressional District deserve a representative who is not only visible and accessible but also responsive and a partner,” he wrote. “I believe that I am the person to help bring Eastern Shore values back to Washington.” Tyndall’s exploratory committee will focus on gathering feedback from residents of the district, which includes Harford County as well as the entire Eastern Shore. He said the goal is to determine if there is sufficient support and momentum to mount a competitive challenge to Harris in 2026. While holding the seat since 2011, Harris has faced mounting criticism over his alignment with far-right positions, including his recent vote against releasing the Epstein files. Tyndall acknowledged the uphill climb but said his candidacy would offer voters a new kind of leadership. “This exploratory phase is about one simple question: Can a commonsense Democrat, with deep local roots and a record of getting things done, offer voters a real alternative in 2026?” he said. Residents can provide input on issues and learn more about Tyndall’s background through his campaign website and social media channels .

Local Group Calls Out Harris Over Epstein Vote, Demands Accountability

By Gren Whitman • August 27, 2025
A local organization, Decency for District One, is increasing pressure on Rep. Andrew P. Harris (R-MD1) for his vote against releasing the full Epstein files, saying constituents deserve answers about why their representative voted against transparency. Since July 24, the group has posted daily content on social media calling Harris to account. Every day, the page highlights his vote and presses the same question: Why did Harris oppose making public documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s network of political and financial connections? “People in the First District deserve honesty,” said a spokesperson for Decency for District One. “When it comes to something as serious as the Epstein files, voting against disclosure raises real questions about judgment and accountability.” The campaign has been visible across Harris’s official Facebook page, where commenters now regularly flood his posts with demands for answers. The pattern has become so consistent that nearly every statement or press release from the congressman is met with renewed questions about the Epstein vote. Despite the growing attention, the major Eastern Shore media outlets have failed to report on Harris’s role in the vote or the backlash that has ensued. Advocates say that silence is part of the problem. “If this were happening anywhere else, the press would be asking hard questions,” the Decency for District One spokesperson said. “Here, it’s being left to everyday residents to raise their voices.” The group plans to continue posting daily until Harris explains his vote. In the meantime, frustration continues to build among constituents who feel ignored. “This isn’t about partisanship,” one supporter commented online. “It’s about whether our congressman believes the public has the right to know the truth.”
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