It's one of our favorite times of the year, time to open our doors to guests once again! Historic St. Mary's City (HSMC) will open its outdoor exhibits for the 2024 season on Tuesday, March 18.
Visit the museum’s outdoor and indoor exhibits to learn about Maryland’s diverse history.
General admission. Free for HSMC members.
March 22. Spring Opening Celebration!!!
10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Historic St. Mary’s City
Celebrate spring and the beginning of a new season at HSMC! Free admission for the day, with all activities and demonstrations included.
Activities to include:
10:30 a.m. / 2:00 p.m. Changing Landscapes Tour
10:30 a.m. Spring Storytime
Join us at the waterfront for an enjoyable storytime session! Tailored for children aged 5 to 8, the spring storytime will feature the book "Old Wood Boat,” read with our own “old wood boat,” Maryland Dove, in sight!
11:00 a.m. Hearth Cooking
12:00 p.m. Clothing Demonstration
12:30 p.m. “The Trial of the Unlawful Dog”
Hear ye! Hear ye! County Court will be in session with this rowdy re-enactment of a case centered around an unlawful dog.
1:00 p.m. The Piscataway Indian Nation Singers and Dancers
Engage with the Piscataway Indian Nation Singers and Dancers as they perform, teach, and celebrate the vibrant living traditions of the Piscataway through their music and dance.
2:00 p.m. Spring Storytime (for children ages 5 to 8)
2:30 p.m. Printing Press Demonstration
3:45 Gunnery Demonstration
Learn how and why the crew of Maryland Dove use the ship’s cannons. Please note that this program will conclude with a loud noise, so those with sound sensitivities should take caution.
A program specifically tailored for homeschool families, featuring interpretive discussions, demonstrations, and interactive activities.
Workshop sessions: 10:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
$10/$8 for members. Additional workshops $7/$5 for members.
Space is limited- preregistration is required with full payment. Registration opens on March 10.
Workshop offerings:
Numbers in Navigation, 10:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. (ages 10 and oldler)
Join the Maryland Dove crew for a mathematical morning on the waterfront as you learn how sailors use math to determine location. Students will work with Maryland Dove crew members to make their own “quadrant”, a historical navigation tool that uses celestial bodies or nearby objects to determine place within space. End your morning by trying it out! Will you be able to determine where you are standing in relation to the nautical objects around you?
Don’t Bite the Hen That Feeds You, 10:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. (ages 5 and older)
Animal husbandry was an incredibly important job in 17th-century Maryland, and also is for our staff at the Tobacco Plantation today! This animal-focused workshop will have students learning how to feed and care for the heritage breed animals at HSMC, as well as collecting eggs and cooking poultry meals over an open hearth. This is truly a “farm to table” colonial program!
Eastern Woodland “Clay-tivity,” 1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. (ages 8 and older)
Practice your pottery skills with staff at the Woodland Indian Hamlet! From purifying and tempering to shaping and firing, students will have a hands-on opportunity to take part in every step of the process using natural resources and experimental archaeology.
Root, Leaf and STEM, 1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. ( ages 5 - 9 )
This workshop is an opportunity for little learners to discover and experience the life cycle of plants from seed through planting, growth, cultivation, and finally seeding. With plenty of dirty hands-on activities, they will compare and contrast plants, pull up plants to see and study their roots, and even plant some seeds of their own to bring home. A perfect play lesson for the budding gardener!
Focusing on all things Maryland, MarylandFest will have children’s activities and crafts, live music, beer, food, and wine vendors, a sports zone, and craft vendors.
This isn’t simply an event.
A program specifically tailored for homeschool families, featuring interpretive discussions, demonstrations, and interactive activities.
Workshop sessions: 10:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
$10/$8 for members. Additional workshops $7/$5 for members.
Space is limited- preregistration is required with full payment.
Workshop offerings:
Numbers in Navigation, 10:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. (ages 10 and oldler)
Join the Maryland Dove crew for a mathematical morning on the waterfront as you learn how sailors use math to determine location. Students will work with Maryland Dove crew members to make their own “quadrant”, a historical navigation tool that uses celestial bodies or nearby objects to determine place within space. End your morning by trying it out! Will you be able to determine where you are standing in relation to the nautical objects around you?
Don’t Bite the Hen That Feeds You, 10:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. (ages 5 and older)
Animal husbandry was an incredibly important job in 17th-century Maryland, and also is for our staff at the Tobacco Plantation today! This animal-focused workshop will have students learning how to feed and care for the heritage breed animals at HSMC, as well as collecting eggs and cooking poultry meals over an open hearth. This is truly a “farm to table” colonial program!
Eastern Woodland “Clay-tivity,” 1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. (ages 8 and older)
Practice your pottery skills with staff at the Woodland Indian Hamlet! From purifying and tempering to shaping and firing, students will have a hands-on opportunity to take part in every step of the process using natural resources and experimental archaeology.
Root, Leaf and STEM, 1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. ( ages 5 - 9 )
This workshop is an opportunity for little learners to discover and experience the life cycle of plants from seed through planting, growth, cultivation, and finally seeding. With plenty of dirty hands-on activities, they will compare and contrast plants, pull up plants to see and study their roots, and even plant some seeds of their own to bring home. A perfect play lesson for the budding gardener!
Sail with us!
A program specifically tailored for homeschool families, featuring interpretive discussions, demonstrations, and interactive activities.
Workshop sessions: 10:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
$10/$8 for members. Additional workshops $7/$5 for members.
Space is limited- preregistration is required with full payment. Registration opens on March 10.
Workshop offerings:
Numbers in Navigation, 10:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. (ages 10 and oldler)
Join the Maryland Dove crew for a mathematical morning on the waterfront as you learn how sailors use math to determine location. Students will work with Maryland Dove crew members to make their own “quadrant”, a historical navigation tool that uses celestial bodies or nearby objects to determine place within space. End your morning by trying it out! Will you be able to determine where you are standing in relation to the nautical objects around you?
Don’t Bite the Hen That Feeds You, 10:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. (ages 5 and older)
Animal husbandry was an incredibly important job in 17th-century Maryland, and also is for our staff at the Tobacco Plantation today! This animal-focused workshop will have students learning how to feed and care for the heritage breed animals at HSMC, as well as collecting eggs and cooking poultry meals over an open hearth. This is truly a “farm to table” colonial program!
Eastern Woodland “Clay-tivity,” 1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. (ages 8 and older)
Practice your pottery skills with staff at the Woodland Indian Hamlet! From purifying and tempering to shaping and firing, students will have a hands-on opportunity to take part in every step of the process using natural resources and experimental archaeology.
Root, Leaf and STEM, 1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. ( ages 5 - 9 )
This workshop is an opportunity for little learners to discover and experience the life cycle of plants from seed through planting, growth, cultivation, and finally seeding. With plenty of dirty hands-on activities, they will compare and contrast plants, pull up plants to see and study their roots, and even plant some seeds of their own to bring home. A perfect play lesson for the budding gardener!
Sail with us!
Sail with us!
Sail with us!
The Maryland Dove will be anchored in the St. Mary's River off Church Point on August 2, acting as the finish line for the annual Governor's Cup Yacht Race, which begins in Annapolis and ends at St. Mary's City—tracing the route from present-day capital to colonial capital. It is the oldest and longest-running overnight sailboat race on the Chesapeake Bay
The ship will be back on exhibit at Historic St. Mary's City on August 5.
Sail with us!
Sail with us!
Sail with us!
Sail with us!
Maryland Dove will be on display during the annual “Blessing of the Fleet” at St. Clements Island on Saturday, October 4. The ship will be open for deck tours during the event from 12:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.
The ship will be off exhibit at Historic St. Mary's City October 3 - 5, 2025.
Historic St. Mary’s City will host its popular free trick-or-treating event, Lost City on October 18, 2025. Spreading out over the museum grounds, the event will be spooktacular! Families are invited to meet “lost” sailors, go trick-or-treating, play games, or enjoy stories. Maryland Dove will be open and dressed for the occasion as a haunted ship!
Families are invited to walk the grounds after hours to see the museum decorated with period-appropriate fall décor and more present-day “Halloween” items. The evening includes stepping aboard the “haunted ship” Maryland Dove, dancing to music with the “Monster Mash Disco Ball” at the Margaret Brent gazebo, fortune telling and broomstick lessons in the Town Center area, Halloween-themed crafts, and family-friendly fall games, giving guests a full evening of enjoyment and…candy!
From the Festival, “Now in its 24rd year, the Sultana Education Foundation’s Downrigging Weekend Festival is one of the largest annual tall ship gatherings in North America. The festival features a long-weekend of Tall Ship sails, tours, incredible live bluegrass music, lectures, exhibits, family activities, regional food and more. Proceeds benefit the Foundation’s environmental literacy programs and the other nonprofits participating in the festival.”
Workshop sessions: 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
A program specially designed for homeschool families, with interpretive discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on activities.
$10/ student, an additional workshop is $7, adults are general admission
HSMC Member pricing $8/ student, additional workshop is $5, adults are free.
For full information, visit https://www.hsmcdigshistory.org/events/homeschool-workshops/
Hosted by the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association
RiverFest, a celebration of the St. Mary's River and its watershed, is free and open to everyone! Discover 101 ways to protect and enjoy our waterways, enjoy live music, try kayaking and seining, and enjoy tours of Historic St. Mary's City. Visit exhibits and vendors from southern Maryland. Come face‐to‐face with birds of prey, snakes, terrapins, and other seldom‐seen neighbors. Join the ceremonial Wade-In at 2:00 p.m
Free
Historic St. Mary's City is hosting an evening reception on September 26 to honor the arrival of Pride of Baltimore II.
Workshop sessions: 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
A program specially designed for homeschool families, with interpretive discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on activities.
$10/ student, an additional workshop is $7, adults are general admission
HSMC Member pricing $8/ student, additional workshop is $5, adults are free.
For full information, visit https://www.hsmcdigshistory.org/events/homeschool-workshops/
August 11. Sunday Family Fun Day - Compass Creations
10:00 a.m.—10:45 a.m.
Waterfront
Successful navigation is a science, but it is simpler than you may think! Join us at the waterfront to learn how and why a compass works by making one yourself. Your compass will then point you in the direction of Maryland Dove crew members, who will discuss the compass and its role in the navigational process of dead reckoning.
Museum admission. Free for Historic St. Mary’s City members.
Info: email hsmcc.groups@maryland.gov; 301-994-4371 / 301-994-4372
Historic St. Mary's City is excited to announce a change of command ceremony for the new MARYLAND DOVE captain, Angela Laaro, on Saturday, July 13 at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony will be invitation only on the dock, with visitors welcome to watch from the beach area.
Food. Music. Beer. On June 22 bring your friends, an appetite, and an outdoor chair to enjoy one of the best outdoor festivals southern Maryland has to offer.
BeerFest will feature music from local bands, food from local cuisine, and a variety of regional craft brews.
Enjoy a rollicking outdoor festival while helping to further education and research at HSMC.
Maryland Dove and waterfront*
Gaming and gambling have an extensive history in Maryland, from the ships that navigated local waterways to the ordinaries where travelers lodged. This one-hour walking tour will allow visitors to try their hand at both shipboard and land-based games that were popular in 17th-century Maryland.
Approximately 1 hour.
Museum admission. Free for members. No registration required.
*Due to construction in the State House parking lot, guests are advised to park in either St. Mary’s College of Maryland Lot K, Campus Center or the HSMC Visitor Center (located at 18751 Hogaboom Lane, St. Mary’s City, Md 20686)
Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC) invites the community to celebrate Maryland Day by offering free admission to the outdoor exhibits on Saturday, March 23.
Donations appreciated.
Come join HSMC for a Free Trick-or-Treat Halloween extravaganza! Explore the Maryland Dove, chat with pirates, get your fortune told, and play games. Don't miss out on this spooktacular event!
Parking will be available off Old State House Road
GPS address 47414 Old State House Rd, St Mary’s City, MD 20686
Come sail with us!
Experience the rare opportunity to sail on board Maryland Dove, a spectacular wooden vessel.
General Admission:
Tickets can be purchased below. **
Tickets go on sale to the general public at 8 a.m., September 22
Sails may be canceled at any time. Should HSMC cancel due to weather or staffing, the customer will have an option for a refund or credit for another sail. Due to limited space, customers may cancel up to 48 hours prior to the sail to get a refund.
HISTORY:
Maryland Dove is a reconstruction of the original Dove, a 17th-century trading ship. Hired by Cecil Calvert, the Dove accompanied the Ark, a vessel holding 140 colonists and their equipment to what is now Maryland in 1634. Later that year, Dove was sent north to Boston to trade corn for salt cod and other commodities, and in August of 1635, Dove was sent back to England with furs and timber to trade. Dove was never seen again, probably lost at sea. The new Maryland Dove, launched in 2022, serves as an ambassador for Historic St. Mary’s and as a public educational exhibit. Maryland Dove is owned by the state of Maryland and operated and maintained by the Historic St. Mary’s City Commission.
Come sail with us!
Experience the rare opportunity to sail on board Maryland Dove, a spectacular wooden vessel.
General Admission:
Tickets can be purchased below. **
Tickets go on sale to the general public at 8 a.m., September 22
Sails may be canceled at any time. Should HSMC cancel due to weather or staffing, the customer will have an option for a refund or credit for another sail. Due to limited space, customers may cancel up to 48 hours prior to the sail to get a refund.
HISTORY:
Maryland Dove is a reconstruction of the original Dove, a 17th-century trading ship. Hired by Cecil Calvert, the Dove accompanied the Ark, a vessel holding 140 colonists and their equipment to what is now Maryland in 1634. Later that year, Dove was sent north to Boston to trade corn for salt cod and other commodities, and in August of 1635, Dove was sent back to England with furs and timber to trade. Dove was never seen again, probably lost at sea. The new Maryland Dove, launched in 2022, serves as an ambassador for Historic St. Mary’s and as a public educational exhibit. Maryland Dove is owned by the state of Maryland and operated and maintained by the Historic St. Mary’s City Commission.
Maryland Dove will be visiting Cambridge, Md in September 2023, thanks to a grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority and matching funds from Historic St. Mary's City Foundation. The state-funded ship was built on Maryland’s eastern shore and delivered to Historic St. Mary’s City in August 2022.
Maryland Dove will be open to the public for free deck tours during the following hours:
September 7, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
September 8, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
September 9, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Maryland Dove will be visiting Cambridge, Md in September 2023, thanks to a grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority and matching funds from Historic St. Mary's City Foundation. The state-funded ship was built on Maryland’s eastern shore and delivered to Historic St. Mary’s City in August 2022.
Maryland Dove will be open to the public for free deck tours during the following hours:
September 7, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
September 8, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
September 9, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Maryland Dove will be visiting Cambridge, Md in September 2023, thanks to a grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority and matching funds from Historic St. Mary's City Foundation. The state-funded ship was built on Maryland’s eastern shore and delivered to Historic St. Mary’s City in August 2022.
Maryland Dove will be open to the public for free deck tours during the following hours:
September 7, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
September 8, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
September 9, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Maryland Dove will be visiting Crisfield, Md in September 2023, thanks to a grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority and matching funds from Historic St. Mary's City Foundation. Maryland Dove is Historic St. Mary’s City floating ambassador and one of its most popular exhibits. The wooden ship design is based on the original Dove, a cargo vessel that arrived along with the passenger ship Ark in 1634.
Maryland Dove will be open to the public for free deck tours during the following hours:
September 1, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
September 2, 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
September 3, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Maryland Dove will be visiting Crisfield, Md in September 2023, thanks to a grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority and matching funds from Historic St. Mary's City Foundation. The state-funded ship was built on Maryland’s eastern shore and delivered to Historic St. Mary’s City in August 2022.
Maryland Dove will be open to the public for free deck tours during the following hours:
September 1, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
September 2, 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
September 3, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Maryland Dove will be visiting Crisfield, Md in September 2023, thanks to a grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority and matching funds from Historic St. Mary's City Foundation. The state-funded ship was built on Maryland’s eastern shore and delivered to Historic St. Mary’s City in August 2022.
Maryland Dove will be open to the public for free deck tours during the following hours:
September 1, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
September 2, 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
September 3, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Ahoy, mateys! Become a pirate for the day, and search for a “pirate ship” (Maryland Dove in disguise)
This program is for children 3-4 years old with an accompanying adult.
10 a.m.—11 a.m. Meet at Historic St. Mary’s City museum shop, The Shop at Farthing’s Ordinary to begin your adventure.
Space is limited, registration is required.
Payment in full is due at time of registration: $10 per child ($8 HSMC museum members); one accompanying adult free
To register, contact (301)994-4371, or hsmcc.groups@maryland.gov
Maryland Dove will be on display in Havre de Grace on June 24 and June 25
Maryland Dove will be on display in Havre de Grace on June 24 and June 25
Maryland Dove will be visiting Fells Point in Baltimore of June 2023, thanks to a grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority and matching funds from Historic St. Mary's City Foundation. The state-funded ship was built on Maryland’s eastern shore and delivered to Historic St. Mary’s City in August 2022.
Maryland Dove will be open to the public for free deck tours
June 20, 10 a.m.—4 p.m. / June 21, 10 a.m.—5 p.m. / June 22, 10 a.m.—1 p.m.
Maryland Dove will be visiting Fells Point in Baltimore of June 2023, thanks to a grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority and matching funds from Historic St. Mary's City Foundation. The state-funded ship was built on Maryland’s eastern shore and delivered to Historic St. Mary’s City in August 2022.
Maryland Dove will be open to the public for free deck tours
June 20, 10 a.m.—4 p.m. / June 21, 10 a.m.—5 p.m. / June 22, 10 a.m.—1 p.m.
Maryland Dove will be visiting Fells Point in Baltimore of June 2023, thanks to a grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority and matching funds from Historic St. Mary's City Foundation. The state-funded ship was built on Maryland’s eastern shore and delivered to Historic St. Mary’s City in August 2022.
Maryland Dove will be open to the public for free deck tours
June 20, 10 a.m.—4 p.m. / June 21, 10 a.m.—5 p.m. / June 22, 10 a.m.—1 p.m.
Maryland Public Television (MPT) will premiere its original documentary Discovering the Dove on Tuesday, April 18 at 8 p.m. during its 19th annual Chesapeake Bay Week®. The half-hour film will debut on MPT-HD and will be available to view live and on-demand using MPT’s livestream, online video player, and the PBS App.
The new Maryland Dove will be appearing at the Sultana Downrigging Festival in Chestertown, Md. The festival, one of the largest annual tall ship gatherings in North America, will take place October 28 - 30, 2022.
Update 9/29/2022 : Blessing of the Fleet has been canceled.
The new Maryland Dove will be on display during the annual “Blessing of the Fleet” at St. Clements Island on Saturday, October 1.
The new Maryland Dove will be open as a dockside exhibit at the Annapolis City Dock September 9 - 11, 2022.
The public is invited to help honor the arrival of the new Maryland Dove at Historic St. Mary’s City on Aug. 27, 2022!
Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC) will open at 10 a.m. on August 27, 2022, with the ship scheduled to sail in between 10:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. (weather permitting). After the ship’s arrival, there will be an 11:30 a.m. commissioning ceremony at the Margaret Brent pavilion, where the ship’s log will officially be given to the museum by the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM). The day continues with a ribbon cutting down at the Maryland Dove dock, officially welcoming guests aboard. Timed tours of the new vessel will take place from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. These tours will be registration only.
At 2 p.m, Naval Architect Iver Franzen, CBMM Shipyard Lead Rigger Sam Hilgartner and HSMC Captain Will Gates will lead a discussion about the design of the ship. This will take place inside the HSMC Visitor Center auditorium.
Visit the museum’s website at www.HSMCdigsHistory.org for ticket links and more information on the day’s activities.
Entrance to the museum and outdoor exhibits (including Maryland Dove) will be free for the event day.
The celebration will continue through the year as the new Maryland Dove will embark on a tour of the Chesapeake Bay, sharing the exhibit with Marylanders at different ports of call.
