Fall Days at the Museum
Here at Bay Weekly we’ve been on a museum kick, so we couldn’t agree more with the assertion of Gracie Brady — herself a museum founder — that “we are fortunate in Maryland to have so many great museums, each with its own strengths.”
We made museums our destination, and this week, we report to you on our visits.
Ever eager for news, I was drawn to Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons to see what wonders would appear in the Estuarine Biology Exhibit, closed since January for remodeling.
Annapolis Maritime Museum in Eastport held novelty for writer Bob Melamud, who’d never visited before writing this story.
At Bayside History Museum in North Beach, writer Mick Blackistone felt right at home. Marylanders since the Arc and the Dove, his family made donations that help stock that decade-old museum.
As these three just scratch the surface, here follows a list of many other museums to visit on fall outings.
Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center
Art is in full bloom here. Stroll through 30 acres of forest, meadows and fields along St. John’s Creek where you see art, including sculpture on loan from the Smithsonian. Solomons: www.annmariegarden.org.
Banneker-Douglass Museum
From Maryland’s first African American settler Mathias De Sousa to Thurgood Marshall’s challenge to the Supreme Court, investigate the evolving African American story in Maryland’s official museum of African American heritage. Annapolis: www.bdmuseum.com.
Benson Hammond House
In this historical house decorated with Victorian textiles and furniture, the Anne Arundel Historical Society documents the era when truck farming was a thriving business in Northern Anne Arundel County. Linthicum Heights: www.aachs.org.
Captain Avery Museum
Explore the culture of late 19th century watermen in the Avery family home. Plus monthly lectures and luncheons. Shady Side: www.captainaverymuseum.org.
Chesapeake Beach Railways Museum
In Chesapeake Beach’s original railroad station, see the story of the railway that brought city folk to this Bay resort. Chesapeake Beach: www.cbrm.org
Chesapeake Children’s Museum
Young people learn about Chesapeake ecology in interactive exhibits and programs and outdoor trails. Annapolis: www.theccm.org.
Darnall’s Chance House Museum
Go back in time in this 18th century house now featuring an exhibit on the War of 1812. Upper Marlboro: 301-952-8010.
Historic Annapolis Museum
Historic Annapolis began as a grassroots movement to preserve the architectural legacy of buildings in downtown Annapolis. Since 1952, Historic Annapolis has saved and preserved 400 downtown buildings, making Annapolis a “museum without walls.” Annapolis: www.annapolis.org.
Historic London Town and Gardens
The 23-acre riverside museum and park illustrates history, archaeology and horticulture in Maryland in original and reconstructed buildings, exhibits, gardens, events and activities. Edgewater: www.historiclondontown.com.
Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum
Visit the country riverside home of the Jefferson Pattersons, now home to the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory. St. Leonard: www.jefpat.org.
U.S. Naval Academy Museum
See the history of the Navy and the Naval Academy in paintings, ship models, uniforms, medals, swords, silver, important documents and more, including a moon rock. Annapolis: www.usna.edu/Museum.
Sandra Olivetti Martin
Editor and publisher; [email protected]