Maryland Day 2013 Activities and Events 

Four Rivers: The Heritage Area of Annapolis, London Town and South County is a proud sponsor of the 6^th Annual Maryland Day Celebration. Throughout the weekend, historical, cultural, and natural resources sites in Annapolis and southern Anne Arundel County will open their doors to the public with special tours, events, and programming for $1.00 or less. 

This Updated List of Activities and Event Participants includes: 

In Order by Day: 

Friday, March 22, 2013

Annapolis Maritime Museum, 723 Second Street & Creek View Drive, Annapolis. Join us for an afternoon of learning about the Chesapeake Bay! Explore our interactive exhibit space and participate in a variety of hands-on activites. Try your hand at oyster tonging and learn about a waterman’s way of life on the Bay.  Free, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 4800 Atwell Road, Shady Side.  Help restore the native oyster population by constructing concrete reef balls that will serve as a habitat for oysters, fish, blue crabs, and other critters. Tour the Oyster Restoration Center afterwards to learn all that CBF is doing to restore the native oyster population in the Bay. Space is limited to 25 people. Outdoor event. Children and teenagers are welcome with adult supervision. Event is Free, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Advanced registration is required, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Chesapeake Children’s Museum, 25 Silopanna Rd., Annapolis. Escape to the past along a trail of clues about how runaway slaves depended on nature and secret signals in the days of the Underground Railroad. Trail guides will be available for $1.00. Free, 10:00  a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Courthouse Museum, Anne Arundel  County Courthouse, 7 Church Circle, Annapolis .If you like the shows CSI or Law and Order, this exhibit is for you! Come to the Courthouse to see the exhibition Crossroads of the Community that illustrates the history that happened right here in Annapolis. Members of the team who created the exhibit will be on hand to provide more details. There is no need to go through the Courthouse security to visit this exhibit. Free, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Hammond-Harwood House, 19 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis. Experience the Hammond-Harwood House as an 18th century Annapolitan would have on a 30-minute tour of this architectural jewel. All ages are welcome, and children will be able to further the experience by dressing in colonial clothing. $1 per person, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Maryland State House, 100 State Circle, Annapolis. Imagine British warships sailing up the Chesapeake Bay aiming their guns towards Annapolis. Visit the Maryland State House from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for a special behind-the-scenes tour of our newest exhibit, “The Enemy Nearly All Round Us” Annapolis & the War of 1812. Learn how the Maryland State Government protected its citizens from attack; how the British made life difficult for Marylanders; and how enslaved African Americans made daring escapes in the midst of war. Free, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Photo ID is required to enter the State House. Occupancy in the rooms is limited, so there may be a brief wait at certain times. Guests are encouraged to take a self-guided tour of the Maryland State House.

Mills Fine Wine & Spirits, 87 Main Street, Annapolis.  Complimentary tasting of Maryland beers with special Maryland Day discounts offered on featured beers.  Learn a bit about the rich history of beer brewing in Maryland and the popularity of this beverage among famous individuals who passed through Annapolis such as George Washington.  Free, 4:00 to 7:00 pm.  Must be 21 years or older to participate.

United States Naval Academy, Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center (Enter at Gate 1, Randall Street). Enjoy a guided walking tour of the U.S. Naval Academy this Maryland Day weekend. $1.00 tours available with coupon. Go to www.navyonline.com. Click on Visitor Center & Tours and the Maryland Day tab to get your coupon. 

West Annapolis Heritage Partnership, "The West Annapolis Fire and Improvement Company, Inc.-Not Just Fires." West Annapolis Elementary School, 210 Annapolis St., Annapolis. Join Lindy Burkhart, Gayle Bender and Sharon Woen, officers in the West Annapolis Fire Company, Inc., for an illustrated talk on the role of our old Fire House (Melvin Ave. and Tucker St.) played in shaping our community. Based on the old records, stories and photos tracing back to 1911. Free, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center, 1101 Smithville Street, Annapolis. Explore the history and people of the Bates Legacy Center at their open house! Free, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 23

SPECIAL MARYLAND DAY FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY, 10:00 a.m. (1) Flag Pole at Susan Campbell Park, Annapolis. Four Rivers Heritage Area and the City of Annapolis present a spirit-lifting flag raising ceremony! All are welcome, free and open to the public. Award-winning USNA League Cadets will perform the ceremony. 

AAACCVB Visitors Center, 26 West Street, and City Dock Information Booth, An­napolis. Get a FREE History Explorers Guide (Limited quantities; an $8.00 value!). Volunteer Information Specialists can help you plan activities for your Maryland Day Celebration adventures. Free, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Gone, But Not Forgotten Tour,” Annapolis Tours by Watermark®, Susan Campbell Park, City Dock, Annapolis. Tour leaves immediately after the 10:00 a.m. flag-raising ceremony at the Park (approx. 10:30). Follow Squire Richard Hillman (former Mayor of Annapolis) to explore sites that have left a mark on Annapolis’ historic district and the Naval Academy that no longer exist today! Free and open to the public; no registration necessary. PLEASE bring a US Govt. issued Photo ID.

Banneker-Douglass Museum, 84 Franklin St., Annapolis. Making it Work: Three Emerging Women Artists. Come listen to three women artists discuss issues surrounding African American and female identity, through three completely different artistic mediums: newspaper/collage, found objects, and pain on canvas. This exhibition seeks to draw attention to the very basic idea of crafting an introspective story through whatever materials are available. Free, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Docent-led tours of the museum will also be conducted on Saturday, March 23, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Charles Carroll House of Annapolis. 107 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis. Learn about the 3 generations of the Charles Carroll family who lived here and explore the newly updated family tree. See if you are a descendant! A genealogist will be present to share resources and help you with researching your family history. Fun, educational activities will be provided for children to learn about genealogy and to start tracing their own family tree. Free, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Chase-Lloyd House, 22 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis. 443-994-1830. Come hear the Weems Creek Jammers at the Chase Lloyd House on March 23, 2013, to celebrate Maryland Day.  These local musicians will be taking us back to earlier times in our Free State, including the year 1812, to hear and waltz to the tunes of the day.   What better music is there for that historic year than Francis Scott Key’s and our National Anthem. The Jammers will perform the early English gentleman’s club song that gave music to Key’s famous words.  The beautiful dining room of the house will provide plenty of space for waltzing the afternoon away. The Jammers will perform throughout the afternoon, but for your convenience, please arrive at the Chase Lloyd House on the hour or half-hour between 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Free. 

Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Merrill Center, 6 Herndon Ave., Annapolis. Attend a lecture about the Chesapeake Bay! Learn about the current state of the Bay and the forecast for its future and how you can make a difference in the health of this beautiful, fragile waterway. Tour CBF’s environmentally sustainable headquarters building and find out why it is one of the world’s most energy efficient buildings. Get a firsthand look at how CBF incorporated natural elements into a fully functional workspace which has minimal impact on its Bay and creek-front surroundings. You are welcome to walk the grounds and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery on your own after the formal tour. FREE, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; however space is limited to 25 people. Advanced registration is required, www.cbf.org/calendar and look for MD Day activity on March 23, 2013. Questions? Conact Heather Tuckfield, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 410-268-8816.

Chesapeake Children’s Museum, 25 Silopanna Rd., Annapolis. See Friday’s listing. Free, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

City of Annapolis Historic Preservation Commission, 160 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis. Harken all to the news of this day!  Join noted historian and media expert Mike Dixon in a lively discussion detailing how news and information was spread when war came to Maryland’s shores, with a fascinating look at press coverage of the major regional incidents of the War of 1812. This presentation concludes with a discussion about what has changed in the digital age, when news coverage is practically instantaneous. Parking is available next door in the Hillman Garage. Free to all and refreshments will be provided, 11:00 a.m. Please RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Shari Pippen at 410/263-7941 to confirm your attendance.

William Paca House (Historic Annapolis), 186 Prince George St., Annapolis. Come celebrate the 40th anniversary of the reconstruction of the Paca House Garden with $1.00 admission to the Paca House and Garden.  Only the first floor of the Paca House open.  Open 10:00-5:00.

Hogshead, (Historic Annapolis), 43 Pinkney St., Annapolis. Visit with the working class of 18th-century Annapolis. Hear tales of their lives, work, and travels to the wild west—you might be surprised how close it was! Free, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Historic Annapolis Museum, 99 Main St., Annapolis. Explore “Freedom Bound: Runaways of the Chesapeake,” the newest exhibition at the Historic Annapolis Museum.  Enjoy hands-on activities in the exhibition and living history presentations in the afternoon. Free, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Historic London Town and Gardens, 839 Londontown Road; Edgewater. The past comes to life through a variety of activities. Come explore the 18th century seaport of London Town! As Colonial-era British Marines practice their drills, tour the William Brown House and Lord Mayor’s Tenement.  $1 per person, 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

MainStreets Annapolis Partnership/ City of Annapolis, 160 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis. On your mark, get set, go! Starting at City Hall you will make a mad dash around the City’s Historic District and Main Streets District looking for historic and architectural gems. A map will be provided and you will have four hours to complete the hunt while racing against other challengers for prizes. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. with the race starting at 10:00 a.m. All participants will need to return their entries by 2:00 p.m. and the prize drawing will be held at 2:30 p.m. Open to all ages with prize categories for children 12 & under and adults. All children 12 & under who participate will receive a small prize. FREE.

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Rd., Edgewater. Learn about blue crabs and try your hand at crabbing at SERC. We’ll talk about SERC research and blue crabs and why they are important to the Chesapeake Bay. FREE, 1:00 p.m., no pre-registration required.

United States Naval Academy, Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center (Enter at Gate 1, Randall Street). Enjoy a guided walking tour of the U.S. Naval Academy this Maryland Day weekend. $1.00 tours available with coupon. Go to www.navyonline.com. Click on Visitor Center & Tours and the Maryland Day tab to get your coupon. 

West Annapolis Heritage Partnership. Along Annapolis Street, West Annapolis, Free, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 1) Visit the new exhibit "Finding Our Roots on Annapolis Street." Residents will be on hand to answer questions about the Great Wardour Train Wreck; Luther Giddings- Soldier in the Mexican War, Vineyards on Melvin St., secrets our Trees tell us; how our streets got their names, and the 1890 plat of the Town of West Annapolis. Wimsey Cove Maps & Art, 103 Annapolis Street. 2) Explore Maryland Symbols: Coloring and Stories for children. Tara's Gifts & Parties, 10 Annapolis Street. 3) Encounter women's changing fashions at: "Glad I Didn't Live Then!" Hairstyles through the Centuries (Display), Salon West. 4 Annapolis St. "Fashions of the Roaring Twenties." (Display), Retropolitan, 14 Annapolis St. "Cameos: Changing Faces through the Years" (Display) West Annapolis Antiques, 110 Annapolis St. 5) Challenge your creativity: Display of Historic Quilts. Cottonseed Glory, 4 Annapolis St. 6) Art Exhibit from Wiley E. Bates students. West Annapolis ArtWorks & Fine Framing. 4 Annapolis St. 7) Experience Maryland Antiques. Bon Vivant Antiques, 104 Annapolis St. 8) Get ready for Spring: Free bike check and tune up, Green Pedals, 105B Annapolis Street. 

Special Events at One Petticoat Lane: 2 Annapolis Street. 

12:00 (noon) "Colonial Fashion Show for Kids" (children are encouraged to participate)

5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wine Tasting in Honor of Luther Giddings, grower of fine fruits and 16,500 grape vines. Owner, in the late 1800's, of all of West Annapolis, known then as Horse Shoe Farm. 

Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center, 1101 Smithville Street, Annapolis. History through Film. Celebrate the history of the Bates Legacy Center through the engaging film, Bringing Back Bates. After the film, stay for a dialogue and discussion from various members of the Bates community. Learn about the African American Community in Annapolis through the films, Carr’s Beach and Pip and Zastrow; An American Friendship. Also engage in the in the film Dreams of Obama, drawing on interviews with those closest to Obama to provide insight into how he might lead the country.

Wimsey Cove Framing & Art, 3141 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD 21037. Find yourself on the Map in Maryland. Wimsey Cove Maps and Art offers a special collection of historic maps of the Four Rivers Heritage Area, Anne Arundel County, and the state of Maryland. See Maryland as John Smith mapped it. Find your farm on the Martenent of Hopkins 19th century map. Look for your house on a Sanborn map. Come and browse. Come and buy. Celebrate Maryland Day at Wimsey Cove

Sunday, March 24

AAACCVB Visitors Cen­ter, 26 West Street, Annapolis and City Dock Information Booth (at City Dock). See Saturday’s listing.

Annapolis Film Festival, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis. Celebrate an afternoon of film! View Bert Stern: Original Mad Man, a revealing film about the heyday of American advertising. Free, 1:30 p.m. Enjoy four hours of a variety of short films from student filmmakers from all over the world. Free, 12:00 p.m. room 205. 

Captain Avery Museum, 1418 East West Shady Side Road, Shady Side. Harvesting the fruits of the Bay is their challenge. Hear the details first hand from three Shady Side commercial watermen and their wives who work the water for their livelihood. Representing clamming, crabbing, oystering and fishing, the three will describe how they get their “catch of the Bay.” Hear about their heritage and the changes to which they must adapt. See and touch the tools of their trade and view some surprise “catches.” Observe “live water creatures.” And come away with increased understanding of why watermen keep going back to the water despite manmade and natural challenges. Special children’s activities will be offered along with tours of the Captain Avery Museum historic house. Free, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Charles Carroll House of Annapolis. 107 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis. Bring your children to the Charles Carroll for a lively Easter egg roll in the Carroll garden. Spend the afternoon hunting for eggs and of course, enjoying what is inside! This event is FREE and open to the public, 1:00 p.m. 

Chesapeake Children’s Museum, 25 Silopanna Rd., Annapolis. See Friday and Saturday listing. Free, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Deale Area Historical Society at Historic Village Museum. Herrington Harbour North Marina, 389 Deale Rd. (Rt. 256), Tracys Landing. Help our farmers, watermen, housewives, and students with their daily chores at our 19th Century Historic Village. Churn butter and crank the ice cream freezer. Sample Depression cake and take home a recipe. Help our housewives do their “fancy work.” Students, learn to read and recite at the one room school. Connect with your War of 1812 ancestors. Chat with a tobacco farmer and a waterman. When the chores are finished, attend church or a Beneficial Society meeting. Refreshments sold by Honey’s Harvest will be available. Free, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Galesville Heritage Museum, 988 Main Street, Galesville. An engaging, interactive exhibit, The Story of Stores tells the story of how small stores served both as social and economic anchors in the history of the village of Galesville. Using existing artifacts from a few of the stores and a video of local residents on their personal recollection of the stores, viewed through a new touch screen computer and monitor, the exhibit will celebrate Galesville’s unique history and heritage. These small businesses helped build and sustain community in Galesville and provide valuable insight on how rural communities grew and prospered. Free, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Hogshead, (Historic Annapolis), 43 Pinkney St., Annapolis. Visit with the working class of 18th-century Annapolis. Hear tales of their lives, work, and travels to the wild west—you might be surprised how close it was! Free, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Historic London Town and Gardens, 839 Londontown Road; Edgewater. On Sunday, March 24, from 12:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. London Town will be brought to life by 30 costumed re-enactors, hearth cooking demonstrations, militia drills from the Anne Arundel County Militia, crafts and much much more! Come experience what life was like during the 1700’s!

Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis. Explore all that Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts has to offer at ArtFest on Sunday, March 24 from 12:00 p.m. - 3 p.m.! From performances to demonstrations; hands-on projects to gallery events, this FREE event will be an exciting afternoon full of fun and creativity for all ages.

Mills Fine Wine & Spirits, 87 Main Street, Annapolis.  Complimentary Maryland wine tasting that traces the state’s history, symbols, and more through local wine.  Sample Maryland wines and get special Maryland Day discounts on all in-stock Maryland wine. Free, 2:00 to 5:00 pm.  Must be 21 years or older to participate.