Historic St. Mary's City

Historic St. Mary's City 🏛️Historic St. Mary’s City is an outdoor living history museum and active archaeological site at Maryland’s first capital, founded in 1634. Historic St.
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Plan your visit: hsmcdigshistory.org Mary’s City is a museum of living history and archaeology, dedicated to telling the diverse stories of those who lived on this land now called Maryland. The outdoor museum is a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can go on board a tall ship, learn about experimental archaeology and how it informs the work that is done at the Woodland Indian Hamlet, see heritag

e-breed cows, chickens, and pigs, and discover HSMC interprets the past using historical and archaeological evidence.

Just a few days left to throw your trowel in the ring! Historic St. Mary’s City is seeking a full‑time Archaeological Fi...
05/27/2026

Just a few days left to throw your trowel in the ring! Historic St. Mary’s City is seeking a full‑time Archaeological Field Technician for the Leonard Calvert House site. Applications close May 31—don’t miss your chance to join our incredible team. ⛏️

Historic St. Mary’s City is proud to announce Bonnie M. Green as the new Chair of the Historic St. Mary’s City Commissio...
05/26/2026

Historic St. Mary’s City is proud to announce Bonnie M. Green as the new Chair of the Historic St. Mary’s City Commission. Green has served on the Commission since 2021, most recently as Vice Chair, and brings decades of leadership in public service, nonprofit management, and regional collaboration.

As Executive Director of The Patuxent Partnership, she has strengthened connections between government, industry, and academia in support of the U.S. Navy and the broader defense community. Her career also includes federal service as Deputy Maritime Administrator and international work with Catholic Relief Services.

A longtime advocate for education and preservation, Green has held leadership roles with St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland, Historic Sotterley, and other regional organizations. Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment as HSMC prepares for Maryland’s 400th anniversary in 2034.

We extend our sincere thanks to Rear Admiral Timothy L. Heely, USN (ret.), for his dedicated service as Chair, and congratulate Linda Kohler on her appointment as Vice Chair.

Historic St. Mary’s City is proud to be a Blue Star Museum again this summer ⭐From Memorial Day through Labor Day, we of...
05/21/2026

Historic St. Mary’s City is proud to be a Blue Star Museum again this summer ⭐

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, we offer free admission for active‑duty military families as a small thank‑you for the service and sacrifice that protects our shared history.

Come explore Maryland’s first capital with the people who matter most.

A meaningful moment took root at HSMC recently as we dedicated our Liberty Tree, grown from the last surviving scion of ...
05/20/2026

A meaningful moment took root at HSMC recently as we dedicated our Liberty Tree, grown from the last surviving scion of Maryland’s 1775 original. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us in honoring this symbol of the ongoing work of preserving our shared history.

Thank you to the following for joining us on this special day:
Piscataway Conoy Tribal Chairman Francis Gray; Historic St. Mary’s City Executive Director David O’Donnell; Reverend Charity Humm, Trinity Episcopal Church; Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Executive Director Lucille W. Walker; Dr. Anne Hairston-Strang, Director and State Forester, MD DNR Forest Service; Senator Benjamin F. Kramer (District 19); Delegate Todd Morgan (District 29C); and St. Mary’s County Commissioners Mike Alderson and Eric Colvin.



Photo:
1- The Liberty Tree sapling
2- (from left to right) Julia A. King; Linda Kohler; Senator Benjamin Kramer; Chairman Francis Gray; Gwendoline Bankins, President Board Trustee, Historic Sotterley; Commissioner Eric Colvin; Dr. Anne Hairston-Strang; Delegate Todd Morgan; David O'Donnell; Commissioner Mike Alderson; Lucille W. Walker; Bonnie Green; Rosemary Hinkle; and Rear Admiral Timothy L. Heely, US Navy (ret.).
3. Historic St. Mary's City Executive Director David O'Donnell
4. Chairman Francis Gray
5. The new plaque marking the tree's importance

June is packed with hands‑on fun at Historic St. Mary’s City! From watercolor mornings to junior architects, archery, st...
05/19/2026

June is packed with hands‑on fun at Historic St. Mary’s City! From watercolor mornings to junior architects, archery, storytelling, and even breakfast with our farm animal friends — there’s something for every age and curiosity. Join us for a month of creativity, discovery, and sunshine at HSMC! 🌞

To learn more, visit our website: www.hsmcdigshistory.org

MarylandFest 2026 was one for the books. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate Maryland’s history, creativity,...
05/18/2026

MarylandFest 2026 was one for the books. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate Maryland’s history, creativity, and community with us. From live music and local makers to adorable animals and hometown pride, the day was full of joy. Thank you to every visitor, volunteer, vendor, and partner who helped make the festival shine.

A special thank you to our valued sponsors:
Patuxent Dental, Dr. Khanna
Visit St. Mary's MD
Ben & Cindy Kramer
A-1 Pool Company
Dugan, McKissick, & Longmore
Andersen Windows + Doors
Southern Maryland National Heritage Foundation
Cedar Point Federal Credit Union
Dennis Point Marina & Campground
Cedar Lane Senior Living Community

For years, Dr. Henry Miller and partners at the Smithsonian and 23andMe have been working to better understand the indiv...
05/15/2026

For years, Dr. Henry Miller and partners at the Smithsonian and 23andMe have been working to better understand the individuals originally buried at the Brick Chapel. Their newly published study in Current Biology uses aDNA to identify family groupings—and even suggests the possible burial of Governor Thomas Greene. 🧬

Read the full story in the article ➜ https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(26)00516-6

05/14/2026

Step aboard Maryland Dove for a relaxed public sail on the St. Mary’s River. This two-hour experience will have you spending time on a beautifully crafted wooden vessel inspired by the original Dove of 1634. Take in the scenery, feel the breeze, and experience the river much as it would have been centuries ago.

🗓️ May 23, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
🎟️ $65 general / $55 members.
🌧️ Rain date May 30, 2026
🔗 Registration required: [email protected] or 301-994-4371

Historic St. Mary’s City and partner St. Mary’s College of Maryland Folklife Center are offering a hands-on embroidery w...
05/13/2026

Historic St. Mary’s City and partner St. Mary’s College of Maryland Folklife Center are offering a hands-on embroidery workshop as part of their 2026 workshop series. Stitch your way through 400 years of history! Whether you’re new to embroidery or a seasoned stitcher, this workshop offers a hands-on look at 17th-century needlework. Learn traditional techniques, explore colonial “samplers,” and create your own piece inspired by the beautiful museum landscape.

🗓️ Saturday, May 30 | 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
🎟️ $10 per person
📍 Margaret Brent Pavilion, 41414 Old State House Road, St. Mary’s City, Maryland
🔗 www.eventbrite.com/e/folklife-summer-workshops-tickets-1987619885583

We are proud to announce that the Maryland Dove will represent Historic St. Mary’s City during Sail250 Virginia and Sail...
05/11/2026

We are proud to announce that the Maryland Dove will represent Historic St. Mary’s City during Sail250 Virginia and Sail250 Maryland. ⚓

As we honor America’s 250th anniversary, the Dove will join tall ships from around the world in Norfolk (June 19–22) and Baltimore (June 25–29). We invite you to be part of the celebration: walk the waterfront, explore the ships, and join us in commemorating the stories that shaped our nation’s earliest chapters.

For more info, visit www.sail250virginia.com & www.sail250md.org

Homeschool Wednesday WorkshopsWednesday, May 13, 2026Designed especially for homeschool families, these engaging worksho...
05/08/2026

Homeschool Wednesday Workshops
Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Designed especially for homeschool families, these engaging workshops combine interpretive discussion, demonstrations, and hands-on activities that bring Maryland’s early history to life. Families may register for one or multiple sessions throughout the day.

$10 / $8 members. Additional workshops $7 / $5 members.
Space is limited. Preregistration with full payment required.

Chickens and Pigs and Cows, Oh My!
10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Ages 5 and up

Flourishing Flags
10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Ages 6 and up

Digging Through History
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Ages 7 and up

Woodland Games
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Ages 6 and up

🔗 For more information, visit our website: hsmcdigshistory.org

Address

18751 Hogaboom Lane
St. Marys City, MD
20686

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+13019944370

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