Historic Annapolis

In 1974, Historic Annapolis opened the newly reconstructed Paca Garden to the public. We’re pleased to celebrate 50 years of our beloved Paca Garden with special guided garden tours throughout the summer. Take a stroll through our beautifully restored two-acre 18th century English garden. Your experienced docent will share its history from the time of William Paca, signer of the Declaration of Independence, to present day as you wander the terraced landscape, formal parterres, wilderness garden, the practical kitchen and medicinal gardens, and orchard. What a treat for the senses...

April is Archaeology Month! Join us as Lisa Robbins, archaeologist with The Lost Towns Project, presents the findings of an 18-month archaeological study on the housing of enslaved and free Black tenants in Anne Arundel County during the 19th century. The study will also cover the notable architectural changes that occurred during the transition period immediately after emancipation. Lisa will use several case studies from the county to demonstrate the significance of documenting and preserving these cultural resources that are disappearing. Registration required. Registration closes one half hour prior to lecture. Cost: $15...

School’s out! Come join us for some fun at the Museum of Historic Annapolis. Explore the Museum on a scavenger hunt and create special craft projects inspired by the objects and artifacts found in our collection.  Crafts are geared toward school-aged children, but all ages are welcome.  Advance registration for a timed entry spot is required – space is limited! Entry will be offered every half hour. Cost: $7 General Admission (8+); Free for Children 7 and under and HA Members

Step into Hogshead and encounter two working women of 18th century Annapolis. It is the year 1774, and you can listen in on an intimate conversation…hear the latest in poultices, salves, and patent medicines for what ails you from a colonial midwife, Charlotte Small, as she gives advice of the era to printer Annapolis printer, Anne Catharine Green, whose daughter is in childbed…for the 11th time. Registration available, but not required. Cost: Pay-What-You-Can (your donations support programs like these – thank you!)

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: Plant It! Eat It! Grow It! by Little Grasshopper Books We’re celebrating the Year of the Garden! It’s spring and the community garden is filled with friends and neighbors ready to plant,...

By now, the story of the Native American Code Talkers is relatively well-known: Speaking in their native languages, e.g., Navajo, they passed battlefield messages in World War II, completely baffling the enemy. While certainly true, there is much more to the story. This presentation by Gregory J. Nedved, retired historian from the Center for Cryptologic History at NSA will clarify what Code Talking actually is and separate fact from fiction. Registration required. Registration closes one half hour prior to lecture. Cost: $15 per household for General Admission; $10 per household for HA...

In 1974, Historic Annapolis opened the newly reconstructed Paca Garden to the public. We’re pleased to celebrate 50 years of our beloved Paca Garden with special guided garden tours throughout the summer. Take a stroll through our beautifully restored two-acre 18th century English garden. Your experienced docent will share its history from the time of William Paca, signer of the Declaration of Independence, to present day as you wander the terraced landscape, formal parterres, wilderness garden, the practical kitchen and medicinal gardens, and orchard. What a treat for the senses...

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: One Little Lot – The 1-2-3s of an Urban Garden by Diane C. Mullen In a bustling, urban neighborhood, count the ways one little lot becomes a beautiful community vegetable garden. A...

We’re celebrating the “Year of the Garden” as we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the restoration of the historic garden behind the William Paca House! Join us for a special Spring workshop on the Paca House Terrace, presented in partnership with our friends at Homestead Gardens. The afternoon begins with a lecture presented by a Homestead Gardens expert who will share tips on growing and caring for culinary herbs. Participants will then be guided in creating a Culinary Herb Garden planter that will add flavor to your cooking experiences all season!...

Stop by the William Paca House to meet living historian Drew Shuptar Rayvis to learn about the indigenous peoples who inhabited this area by the Chesapeake Bay. The year is 1695 and Annapolis is the new capital of colonial Maryland. Explore the interconnected relationship between European settlers and the Algonkian peoples and learn about the adaptation of Native American life to colonial settlement. This drop-in program will highlight the earliest American culture interactions and clashes through customs of war, adoption, captivity, alliance, friendships and marriages between Natives, Europeans and Africans....