Over the course of four years, enslaved people worked to turn the Civil War into a freedom war. Slowly but surely, they pushed President Abraham Lincoln and his commanders in the field toward embracing emancipation as a war aim and to compel them to take the giant steps forward needed to abolish slavery once and for all. On June 19, 1865, the federal government finally met that objective, declaring slavery dead across the country. This momentous event marked a new birth of freedom—an occasion we now commemorate as Juneteenth. Registration...

For the first time, AAHPP has a new annual appropriation of $5 million, up from $1 million annually! AAHPP provides grants to assist in the preservation of buildings, sites, or communities of historical and cultural importance to the African American experience in Maryland. Attend this general in-person overview to learn how to apply and more.

African American Land Conservation and Heritage Preservation: Black Beaches & Recreation Please join us online for a highly anticipated discussion with Vince Leggett about his most recent projects, including the preservation of historic Maryland beaches and recreation areas. Vince Leggett is the founder and President of Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation which documents, promotes and educates on the significant contributions of African Americans to the bay’s maritime industries and culture. The Library of Congress designated the Blacks of the Chesapeake as a Local Legacy Project in 2000. The centerpiece of that submission was...

The 2023 tour features private gardens in the Annapolis Historic District—Prince George Street, King George Street, Maryland Avenue, Hanover Street, and surrounding locations. This area holds a beautiful collection of homes built in various periods and architectural styles, including some of the great colonial mansions. The Historic District provides the perfect setting for an afternoon of garden exploration, to see what lies behind the gates and down the alleyways. The gardens featured epitomize the goals of the home gardener: to have a beautiful space filled with flowers, trees, shrubs, grasses,...

Visit the Museum of Historic Annapolis on the second Sunday of every month for Hands-On History Days. Drop in any time between 10 am and 2 pm for special family activities – a new theme each month means you and your family will want to visit again and again! Activities are included with Museum admission. In June, we are celebrating Pride Month! Go on a Rainbow Scavenger Hunt as you explore the Museum and Annapolis: An American Story! Meet representatives from Annapolis Pride, who works to advocate for, empower, and...

The 2023 tour features private gardens in the Annapolis Historic District—Prince George Street, King George Street, Maryland Avenue, Hanover Street, and surrounding locations. This area holds a beautiful collection of homes built in various periods and architectural styles, including some of the great colonial mansions. The Historic District provides the perfect setting for an afternoon of garden exploration, to see what lies behind the gates and down the alleyways. The gardens featured epitomize the goals of the home gardener: to have a beautiful space filled with flowers, trees, shrubs, grasses,...

Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime is a fun hour full of reading and activities in the William Paca Garden, a secret treasure in the Historic District of Annapolis. Each program is designed for little ones, 3-7 years, with a book reading, song, and craft/art project, plus time to explore the Paca Garden following the story hour. This Week’s Book: F is for Flag by Wendy Cheyette Lewison What does the American Flag mean to you? One flag can mean so many things to so many different people. For some it is...

With the temperatures climbing, this month we'll cool down by learning all about water! Students will perform experiments on density, currents, and tsunamis and learn about the plants and animals that call our local waters home.​ $8 for member children ages 6-12 $10.50 for non-member children ages 6-12​ Pre-registration is required. ​

Celebrate Flag Day at the William Paca House & Garden! Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States. Stop by the William Paca House and Garden any time on Thursday, June 15 between 1 pm and 4 pm to create a special craft that honors our national flag.

From punches to bounces, syllabubs to juleps, colonists imbibed a wide variety of alcoholic beverages. At Colonial Cocktails, you’ll get to make and enjoy two historical drinks and learn about colonial tavern culture. From Atlantic to Pacific, this month we're exploring sugar-based spirits. We will discover the world of arrack, an Indonesian palm/rice wine that became the base of the British Rack Punch, then sail on to learn about Bumbo, a sweetened cocktail of Caribbean Rum.​ Participants must be 21+​ Members: $25 Non-Members: $33 Please note: this program is held...