Maryland Day 2022
Happy Birthday, Maryland
By Kathy Knotts
The Old Line State turns 388 years old on March 25, and sites across Chesapeake Country will celebrate all weekend long.
In Anne Arundel County and the city of Annapolis, a wealth of historic locales, farms, parks, businesses and museums invite you in to explore. Many are free or just $1.
Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area (formerly Four Rivers) has helped organize and promote Maryland’s history, heritage and culture, along with Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, the county recreation and parks department, the city of Annapolis, county government and the state heritage authority. This year’s Maryland Day theme is Discover New Stories.
While you are out enjoying Maryland’s birthday, visit the area’s local galleries, farmers markets, wineries, shops and restaurants, that feature Made in Maryland items and take a piece of Maryland home with you.
So hoist up that iconic flag and lace up your walking shoes because an entire weekend of events invite you to experience the history, culture and heritage of our state.
Please note that some locations require face masks indoors.
Full schedule: MarylandDay.org.
Annapolis City Dock
Start your Maryland Day weekend with a spirit-lifting, flag-raising ceremony with the award-winning USNA League Cadets of the Training Ship Mercedes. Take a walking tour with historian Janice Hayes-Williams following the ceremony ($1, oltannapolis.com).
March 26, 10am, Susan Campbell Park, Annapolis, free: visitannapolis.org.
Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park
Discover the oyster’s important impact on our local maritime heritage and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay at this award-winning museum. Try hands-on family friendly activities, including an oyster shell craft and small boat-building kit to take home. Go on a scavenger hunt that highlights the unique and traditional workboats that contributed to the success of the oyster industry. March 26, 10am-3pm, 723 Second St., $1: amaritime.org
Anne Arundel Recreation & Parks
Visit county parks for free all weekend (March 25 & 26): 9am-5pm, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Lothian; 7am-dusk, Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis; 7am–dusk, Kinder Farm Park, Millersville; 5:30am-dusk, Fort Smallwood Park, Pasadena; 7am-dusk, Downs Park, Pasadena: aacounty.org.
Anne Arundel Co. Public Library
Step back in time to see how colonial children lived in Maryland. Drop in for stories, activities, crafts and games for a grand celebration of Maryland Day. Masks required inside, regardless of vaccination status.
March 26, 10:30am-2pm, Busch Annapolis Library: aacpl.net
Join the Edgewater Library staff for special story times at Historic London Town and Gardens, at the beginning of every hour in the Children’s Garden. Library staff will be on-site with information about the library, book recommendations, and fun giveaways
March 25 & 26, Noon-4pm, Historic London Town, Edgewater: aacpl.net
Annearrundell Free School Museum
Experience what education was like in Maryland in this authentic 1723 one-room schoolhouse. Visitors will be greeted by a schoolmaster and schoolmarm in colonial dress and learn how this only surviving schoolhouse, erected in response to the Maryland Free School Act of 1723, served as a school and residence. Experience how lessons were taught and interact with the many artifacts and materials on display that were used for learning and recreation.
March 27, 1-4pm, 1298 Laval Dr., Davidsonville: arpsa.org.
Bacon Ridge Natural Area
Take a self-guided history hike created by Scenic Rivers Land Trust and explore landscape clues. Bring your phone to watch videos along the way and learn how humans and nature have interacted to create this 1,000+ acre forest. Hike is 2-4 miles on unpaved wooded trail; leashed dogs welcome. www.SRLT.org.
Banneker-Douglass Museum
–Join the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture and Banneker-Douglass Museum for the Harriet Tubman Women of Courage and Maryland Day celebration. This virtual program on YouTube will highlight winners of the video contest
March 26, 2-4pm, free, RSVP: bdmuseum.maryland.gov.
–Visit the museum throughout the weekend to see exhibits related to the accomplishments of Benjamin Banneker and Frederick Douglass. 10am-4pm, 84 Franklin St., Annapolis: bdmuseum.maryland.gov.
Benson-Hammond House
The home of the Ann Arrundell County Historical Society hosts tours, a scavenger hunt and quiz. The Kuethe Library in Glen Burnie will be offering three days of free research (March 24-26) for those researching family genealogy or local history ([email protected].)
March 26, 11am-3pm, $1 self-guided tours: Aachs.org
Captain Avery Museum
Visit the museum to hear author Carol Booker speak about her book Cove Point on the Chesapeake: the Beacon, the Bay and the Dream. The book is a tale of heroes, villains, dreamers, and schemers who shaped a tiny waterfront community on the Chesapeake.
March 27, 2pm, 1418 E. West Shadyside Road, Shady Side, $1: captainaverymuseum.org
Charles Carroll House
Explore the grand old home of the Carroll Family on the picturesque grounds of St. Mary’s Catholic Church on the shores of Spa Creek. See Robert Worden’s documentary displays on the Redemptorist drownings of the summer of 1866 and the St. Omer “The Carroll Odyssey” panels.
March 26 1-5pm, March 27 noon-4pm, 107 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis, free: charlescarrollhouse.org
Chase-Lloyd House
The staff and volunteers of the Chase Home will be available to discuss our history, architecture, and legacy, and in celebration of March Women’s History Month, how one philanthropic woman named Hester Ann Chase Ridout donated the Chase-Lloyd House to be used as a boarding house for vulnerable women–a mission carried out for over 130 years. Visitors can peer into the grand entry hall and view the magnificent staircase in the entranceway leading up to the original Palladian window to be preserved in 2022. Tour the 6,000-square foot Bay-Wise gardens and see what’s blooming in the garden. Frolic the Fox, aka Kathryn Para, will be captivating the children from her storytelling bench in the garden. Mexican sunflowers will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and guests can purchase bags of compost from Annapolis Green. On Saturday Master Gardener Terence Wright will demonstrate composting and answer questions. Virtual program available.
March 25 & 26, 2-5pm, 22 Maryland Ave., Annapolis, free: chaselloydhouse.org
Chesapeake Children’s Museum
Reserve a time slot to visit the indoor exhibits at the museum, or stop by for trail walks, and outdoor kids activities. Meki’s Tamure Polynesian Dancers perform outdoors (Sa 2-3pm), followed by a concert with the Clones of Funk (Sa 3-4pm) performing music from the era of Black Pride and Protest.
March 26 & 27, 10am-4pm, 25 Silopanna Rd., Annapolis, $1, RSVP: Facebook @theccm.org.
Galesville Community Center
Take part in a beginning genealogy and African American genealogy workshop with historian, Lyndra Marshall (nee Pratt). Attendees will learn, or receive a refresher of the best methods and practices a researcher should use to trace their family lineage through use of but not limited to vital records, court records, federal census records, and other primary and secondary sources. Social distancing and other safety measures will be taken; refreshments served.
March 27, 1-4pm, 916 West Bennington Rd., Galesville, free, RSVP: [email protected].
Galesville Heritage Society
Native Galesvillians Eric Steinlein and Chuck Dixon display tools used for maritime, hunting and trapping. See items like sculling oars, dredges, muskrat traps, and a unique Jerry Rig hand-pile driver use to put in poles for pound nets.
March 27, 2-4pm, Galesville Memorial Hall, 952 Galesville Rd., free: galesvilleheritagesociety.org
Goshen Farm
Visit the 22-acre farm property and tour the 1780s farm house, gardens and hiking trails in two timed slots (1 ticket/car), limited to 15 cars.
March 26, 10am-noon & 1-3pm, 1420 Cape St. Claire Rd., Annapolis: goshenfarm.org
Hammond-Harwood House
Tour this 1774 historic home and see the new exhibition Ambition: Charles Willson Peale in Annapolis, featuring 25 portraits.
March 26, Noon-5pm, 19 Maryland Ave., Annapolis, free, RSVP: [email protected]
Hancock’s Resolution
Five generations of Hancocks lived in the farmhouse, dating back to 1785. Visit the new barn/visitor center where a Story Quilt made by the community is on display, an “A-rabber’s Wagon”, a Cook farm buggy, Harry Hancock’s Model T, and more from Pasadena area farms. Tour the historic buildings and gardens.
March 26, 10am-4pm; March 27, 1-4pm, 2795 Bayside Beach Rd., Pasadena: historichancocksresolution.org
Historic Linthicum Walks
Visit this local treasure, once a homestead on a 200-acre tobacco farm, dating back to the 1700s. Tour the house and grounds, go on a Maryland-themed scavenger hunt, encounter characters in historic costumes, and play 1700s children’s games.
March 25-27, 11am-4pm, 2295 Davidsonville Rd., Gambrills, $1: historiclinthicumwalks.com
Historic London Town and Gardens
Enjoy free admission all weekend long along with hands-on activities, guided tours, and more. Library staff will lead storytimes every hour Saturday (noon-3pm). Visit the Arundel Ambassador from Visit Annapolis Sunday. This 20-foot trailer is a mobile visitor information station with all sorts of great info to continue enjoying amazing sites across Anne Arundel County.
March 25-27, 10am-4pm, 839 Londontown Rd., Edgewater: HistoricLondonTown.org
Hogshead
Who are the Middling-sort and what do they do? You may meet a carpenter, baker, midwife, printer, or soldiers, sharing their skills. Try your hand at hauling water or mending a shift, and learn more about the working families of colonial Annapolis. This humble house is unique as it offers a glimpse of how most common folk lived.
March 26 & 27, noon-4pm, 43 Pinckney St., Annapolis, free, RSVP: annapolis.org.
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
See story on ArtsFest.
See art and dance demos, art sales, live entertainment, exhibits, hands-on activities, children’s craft; plus Chevy’s Fresh Mex food truck and Always Ice Cream truck on site. USNA Band concert at 4pm, RSVP recommended.
March 27, 1-4pm, 801 Chase St., Annapolis, free, RSVP: marylandhall.org.
Maryland State House
–The Maryland Center for History and Culture displays Tench Tilghman’s Revolutionary War uniform in the Senate Committee Room, in partnership with the Maryland State Archives. Tilghman was George Washington’s longest-serving aide-de-camp and his uniform is only one of two officer’s uniforms known to still exist from the American Revolution.
March 22 thru April 4, 8:30am-5pm, 100 State Circle, Annapolis, free (photo ID req’d): msa.maryland.gov.
–Watch a ceremony Sunday to celebrate the 250th-year celebration of the laying of the cornerstone of the Maryland State House, complete with reading of a newspaper article and Proclamation from the Town Crier.
March 27, noon-12:30pm, Maryland State House.
Maryland Cultural & Conference Center (MC3)
Honor veterans and the Annapolis National Cemetery by leaving a message in any medium (writing, artwork, poems, photos) on a blank paper mural to be hung across the overlook of the outdoor terrace at MC3, which offers a prominent visual reminder of the cemetery and the sacrifice of those interred there.
March 25, 10am-3pm, 3 Park Place, Annapolis: mc3Annapolis.org
Odenton Heritage Society
Explore how Odenton became a railroad hub in 1872, creating employment and the town’s historic district. Maryland depended on trains to move people and goods between stations in Annapolis, Baltimore, Washington, and Camp Meade. Experience the lives of railroad workers and townspeople through artifacts and images. Learn how Odenton supported the nation’s war effort during World War l and World War ll. See how communities of African Americans became intertwined with railroads, church history, and military history. An online map of the Odenton Historic District adds a virtual dimension to the museum, which is housed in a 1912 former Masonic Hall. Masks are required for the in-person museum open house.
March 27, 1-4pm, 1367 Odenton Rd., free: odentonheritage.org.
Pride of Baltimore II
Grab a selfie on Maryland’s renowned tall ship, Pride of Baltimore II, which will be anchored in City Dock. Pride is a reproduction of a typical early 19th century “Baltimore clipper” topsail schooner, a style of vessel made famous by its success as a privateer commerce raider during the War of 1812. The original boat launched in 1812, was named Chasseur.
Cross the gangway and come aboard to meet the captain and crew to learn about the history and workings of Maryland’s renowned tall ship. (Pride II is not wheelchair accessible.)
March 26 & 27, 10am-6pm, Annapolis Waterfront & Sailing Center, free: pride2.org
Rising Sun Inn
Step into 1785 and join 18th century costumed guides for a tour of the property. Taverns were more than a local watering hole; they were community centers. The Rising Sun Inn was a Colonial farmhouse and 18th century Tavern. Built circa 1753, her owners and residents were witnesses to the birth of a new Nation.
March 26, noon-4pm, 1090 Generals Hwy, Crownsville, $1, RSVP: RisingSunInn.org.
Scenic Rivers Land Trust/ SERC
Join Scenic Rivers Land Trust staff for a guided hike of the Contee Farm at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater. Learn about the history of the land and take in views of forest farmland, and the Rhode River. (No pets, please)
March 26, 9:30am-noon, 647 Contees Wharf Rd., Edgewater, free, RSVP: srlt.org.
Visit Annapolis!
Pick up a Maryland Day Quest Passport at the Visitors Center or the kiosk near the Harbormaster’s Office. This historical scavenger hunt involves some of our most famous and historic native sons and daughters. There are six hidden historic icons in Annapolis—solve their identity to complete your passport for a prize.
March 26, 9am-5:30pm, 26 West Street or 1 Dock Street, Annapolis: visitannapolis.org.
Waterfront Warehouse
Visit a rare surviving example of a small Annapolis waterfront warehouse from the 18th century. Discover the model of the city, circa the late 18th century, featuring a birds-eye view of the historic landscape. A volunteer will be on hand to share tales of the waterfront and those who worked there.
March 25-27, 10am-3pm, 4 Pinkney Street, Annapolis, free, RSVP: Annapolis.org.
Watermark Tours
–Walk Parole: Take a guided tour led by former Annapolis Mayor Richard Hillman. From the ends of the Civil War to the beginning of Civil Rights, Parole has been on the forefront of African American leadership. With many changes over the years, Parole has exemplified its commitment to community, resiliency, and determination in the face of adversity, and has made great strides in response to injustice. Discover this unique residential neighborhood in Annapolis that has been the home to civil rights leaders, churches, schools and where it got its name as a Parole Camp in the Civil War. Joining the tour will also be Ward 3 Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell Charles.
March 26, 10:30am-noon, Walter Mills-Parole Elementary School, free RSVP: watermarkjourney.com.
–Weird, Wacky, and Unusual History of Annapolis: This walking tour, led by colonial-attired guide Reid Bowman, introduces you to tales about a Russian sailor buried in the Annapolis National Cemetery, the historic “mobile homes” of Annapolis, the Confederate captain who kept fighting the Civil War long after the South surrendered, the missing State House cornerstone, plus more.
March 27, 10:30am-noon, Maryland State House, RSVP: watermarkjourney.com.
William Paca House & Garden
Interact with docents in the two-acre garden created when William Paca built the five-part Georgian mansion. Meet living historians who tell the story of Paca, the Annapolis gentry, and the household servants in the colony in 1772. Online registration with timed entry encouraged.
March 25-27, 10am-5pm, 186 Prince George St. Annapolis, house tours $12 w/discounts, RSVP: Annapolis.org.