The following article was submitted by local historian Paul M. Blitz.
John “Buzz” Allen Chriest, Sr. received In Memoriam Honors from the Baltimore City Historical Society on October 5, 2024 at the 24th Annual Awards Baltimore History Honors for the Year 2024 Ceremony at the Stony Run Friends Meeting House on the campus of Friends School in Baltimore.
The awards ceremony awarded Historian/Scholar Honors for persons who have published and are respected in the academic and professional community, Living History Honors for persons who exemplify the civic value of community involvement and enhancement, and several In Memoriam Honors.
Buzz was honored for his many years of hard work and dedication with the preservation of The Battle of North Point which took place on September 12, 1814; one day before the Bombardment of Fort McHenry.
The battle was the largest land invasion by a foreign country in United States History by the British during the War of 1812 and the Defenders’ Day Celebration which commemorates the battle.
During the program the presenter read, “John ‘Buzz’ Chriest was the founder of Defenders’ Day, a historical reenactor, and was active in the Boy Scouts leadership for over 45 years.
He became interested in the history of his community, Dundalk, and especially, in the Battle of North Point during the War of 1812. During the 1976 American Bicentennial, he wanted to share that history with young and old and highlight the significance of the Battle of North Point. After extensive research, John developed a Defenders’ Day Trail booklet describing the history of the battle, including site markers, maps, and troop movements.
As a result of his tireless efforts, the National Boy Scouts of America recognized the Defenders Day Trail with a National Historic Trails Award.
In 1986, Mr. Chriest initiated the Defenders’ Day Celebration at Fort Howard Park to teach people about the Battle of North Point. In period uniform, he led the Aisquith Sharpshooters in this celebration that continues to be an annual public event.
Buzz was an active board member of the Dundalk-Patapsco Neck Historical Society.
For his accomplishments in the community, he was named the 2016 Dundalk Humanitarian of the Year by the Dundalk Optimist Club.”
Buzz passed away on April 1, 2023 at the age of 84.
His widow, Jean C. Chriest, was presented with a frame certificate which read, “John A. ‘Buzz’ Chriest In Memoriam, In Memoriam History Honor in recognition of his special contributions to Baltimore’s history”.
Buzz’s children, their spouses, members of The Dundalk-Patapsco Neck Historical Society, Aisquith Sharpshooters Venture Crew 314, and the Defenders Day Committee were also in attendance at the ceremony.
To mark the occasion, Mrs. Chriest asked longtime family friend Paul M. Blitz to speak on behalf of the family.
In his youth, Blitz met Buzz through Scouting. Both shared an enthusiasm for local history. Blitz also delivered Buzz’s eulogy at the funeral service at the funeral home.
After the ceremony, everyone was invited to a reception downstairs of the meeting house.
