Join us for a lecture with Maria Day, Senior Director of Special Collections, Conservation, and Library Services at Maryland State Archives.​ How do old documents, books, and photographs find their way into an archive where people can discover and request them? This presentation will take you on a behind-the-scenes journey to demonstrate how archivists and conservators identify, preserve, and bring memories from attics and basements into public collections. These documentary traces become the evidence that people can use to write histories. Free for members; $10/ non-members. All attendees must register...

"The Real First President of the United States" explains and answers the question on whether Maryland's own John Hanson, as the first president of the United States under the Articles of Confederation, should or should not be considered the nation's "first president" rather than George Washington. In addition, it will also present the argument why the federal holiday observed on the third Monday in February is not and should not be called "Presidents Day." Registration required. Cost: $15 per household for General Admission; $10 per household for HA Members, Military, and...

Deadly Gamble Kathy Bergren Smith, Maritime Reporter and Photojournalist Kathy Bergren Smith returns to chronicle the harrowing tale of the Levin J. Marvel schooner and the Chesapeake Bay's worst maritime tragedy in the modern era. Smith constructs her story from eye-witness accounts of survivors and rescuers, a miraculously recovered diary, as well as newspaper coverage and trial records. Lectures are Wednesdays at 11:30 AM and run about an hour with Q & A. Lunch and dessert follow. Members $125 for Series; $25 for individual luncheons. Non-Members $150 for Series; $30...

The Annapolis Maritime Museum holds its annual Winter Lecture Series over eight consecutive Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. from mid-January through early March. You will be challenged to question and to learn by engaging speakers on diverse topics including maritime history, local history, science, and maritime art. The 2023 series will be held in person at the Museum Campus (723 Second Street Annapolis, MD 21403). Pre-registration is strongly suggested as space is limited. Registration fee of $10 per person at the door – first come, first served. Free admission for...

Join us for a lecture with Dr. Meghann Mahoney, Historic London Town & Gardens' Public Programs Administrator.​ How do archaeologists get old bones to give up their secrets? In empires that spanned the globe, animals also changed and travelled. Whether learning about past pets, discovering how animals were raised for meat, or seeing wild animals escape into new habitats, find out how even a single bone can tell a world of stories. Free for members; $10/ non-members. All attendees must register in advance.

Lafayette’s time in Annapolis totaled less than a fortnight spread out over five decades, but that was enough for the French nobleman and the city to develop a mutual admiration for one another. The first two times he came to Maryland’s capital in 1777 and 1781, he arrived on a mission; the last two visits in 1784 and 1824 were for pleasure. Former HA Senior Historian Glenn E. Campbell talks about the long and warm relationship between Annapolis and America’s favorite fighting Frenchman. Registration required. Cost: $15 per household for General Admission;...

The Annapolis Maritime Museum holds its annual Winter Lecture Series over eight consecutive Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. from mid-January through early March. You will be challenged to question and to learn by engaging speakers on diverse topics including maritime history, local history, science, and maritime art. The 2023 series will be held in person at the Museum Campus (723 Second Street Annapolis, MD 21403). Pre-registration is strongly suggested as space is limited. Registration fee of $10 per person at the door – first come, first served. Free admission for...

Celebrate ‘Read Across America Day’ at the Museum of Historic Annapolis! Local author Pricilla Cummings will read aloud her book, Chesapeake Rainbow, at a special Storytime presentation. After the reading, explore the Museum on a special rainbow scavenger hunt!Chesapeake Rainbow helps youngsters learn their colors. Blue is the color of the water in the Bay, and blue is the color of a perfect day. The heron that we call Great Blue is blue. The stripe down a crab’s leg? It’s blue, too. Blue is the color of the Chesapeake Bay....

In a display opening Sunday, March 5, the Odenton Heritage Society will explore Odenton’s role in making train travel safer since the 1880s.  “Railroad Accidents and Safety” examines local train wrecks and responses by railroad companies, from dual tracks to switch towers at junctions, modern train signals, and preventive track maintenance.  The contributions of Odenton railroad workers, including tower operators and African American track inspectors and track maintenance workers, will be presented.  The Odenton Heritage Society Museum shows how Odenton connected Baltimore, Washington, and Annapolis with train service and how...

It’s about time! Join guest presenter Steve Sieracki for a full discussion and demonstration of Early American Mantle Clocks! This lecture will reveal the common stylistic and mechanical changes in the explosive youth of the American clock industry. We will discuss how changing resources and advances in technology coupled with American style and ingenuity, led to the development of these amazing timepieces. Examples of the following styles will be shown and changes in the movement discussed: The pillar and scroll 1815 to 1825 The transitional clock1820 to 1825 The split...