March 30, 2023
Ryan Sneddon
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Publisher
First off, what is Maryland Day? It is a legal state holiday celebrating the landing of the first European settlers in Maryland. They landed at St. Clement's Island on two ships, The Ark and The Dove, on March 25, 1634. We began officially celebrating it in 1903.
Now here's what's happening in Annapolis this weekend (March 31–April 2) sorted by location and/or organization.
All five of Anne Arundel County regional parks are offering free admission all weekend long. This includes Downs Park, Fort Smallwood Park, Kinder Farm Park, Quiet Waters Park, and Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary. Learn more about the parks.
Go to any Bacon Ridge Natural Area trailhead to start a self-led, self-paced scavenger hunt in nature! Go here to download and print the scavenger hunt challenges and don't forget to Leave No Trace!
Hike 12 miles of trails across 2,500+ beautiful acres on the SERC's campus on the West and Rhode Rivers. 647 Contees Wharf Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037. Learn more.
Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park's beloved skipjack Wilma Lee will be docked at City Dock all weekend long and open for deck tours. Check in from 2–5 PM Friday, 10 AM–12 PM Saturday, or 3–5 PM Sunday for a free deck tour. Be there at 1 PM Friday to watch her arrive!
Saturday starts with a flag raising ceremony at Susan Campbell Park at City Dock in downtown Annapolis. All are welcome as the award-winning US Navy League Cadets of the training ship Mercedes perform flag detail and Meade High School's honors vocal ensemble sings the National Anthem. Ceremony begins promoptly at 10 AM. Don't be late!
Witness the exhibit, The Radical Voice of Blackness Speaks of Resistance and Joy, with works from seventeen Black Maryland-based artists. A tribute to the resisters and the freedom fighters, past and present, who, through a lifetime commitment or single act of bravery, asserted, declared, and validated Black humanity. 84 Franklin St, Annapolis, MD 21401.
Visit the Campbell-Chambliss Community Meeting Room between 10:30 AM–2:30 PM for crafts and activities that celebrate Maryland from our colonial beginnings all the way to today. 1410 West St, Annapolis, MD 21401.
ArtFest, Maryland Hall's free annual open house, is Sunday (4/2) from 1–4 PM. This all ages day includes art and dance demonstrations, art sales and exhibitions, live entertainment, hands-on activities, children's crafts and more. Maryland Hall will also launch the new radio station, CRAB Radio, during the party. You won't want to miss the end of the party. There's a flash mob on the front lawn! Learn more.
Enjoy the museum's exhibit, Our Changing Waterfront, with $1 admission on Saturday. Open 10 AM–3 PM. 723 Second St, Annapolis, MD 21403.
Learn about Annapolis' rich history with a walkthrough at our newest museum, beautifully curated by Historic Annapolis. $1 admission this weekend. 99 Main Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. Open 12–4 PM Saturday.
What better place to celebrate Maryland Day than our very own state capitol? Did you know it's the oldest state captiol in continuous legislative use? Second is Virginia. Gosh, I love beating Virginia. Go see George Washington's commander-in-chief resignation letter (the fourth-most important document in American history), a sculpture of Harriet Tubman, and much more. 100 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401. Free tour.
Visit Annapolis will have a photo booth set up with historic costumes all weekend. Hours: 10 AM–5 PM every day. 26 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401.
How often do you get to tour the home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence? Take a guided tour of the Charles Carroll House between 12–4 PM Saturday. Don't miss Robert Worden’s display of the Drownings of the Redemptorists.
Fun fact: If you attended last year's Live Water Luau, you might be able to say you played blackjack in the home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Use that the next time someone makes you say a fun fact about yourself.
Lots of homes in colonial Annapolis had gardens. But few were as majestic as William Paca's. And none survive in their former glory like Mr. Paca's. Visit the 2-acre downtown Annapolis oasis for just $1 this weekend. 186 Prince George Street, Annapolis, MD 21401.
Tour one of the most imposing homes in Annapolis, it's dependency (aka kitchen annex), and the 6,000-square-foot bay-wise garden. Open 12–5 PM every day. 22 Maryland Ave, Annapolis, MD 21401. Then head across the street to. . .
Another beautiful, historic Annapolis home. This 1774 home is one of the best preserved colonial houses in town. Visit this weekend for an open house with interpreters sharing the stories of the enslaved people who worked at the Hammond-Harwood House and the role of women in the Federal period. 19 Maryland Ave, Annapolis, MD 21401.
Pop into Discoveries: The Library at the Mall to take a culinary trip through Maryland's past. You'll start with the Indigenous communities of the Chesapeake Bay and go all the way to the crab cake-reviewing residents of Annapolis today. 2–3 PM Saturday. 2002 Annapolis Mall Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401.
There aren't many surviving examples of 18th century waterfront warehouses in Annapolis. Visit Historic Annapolis just steps from City Dock to learn what it was like to make a living on the waterfront and who did it. 4 Pinkney Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. Just up the street. . .
See colonials tradespeople hard at work. You might see a carpenter, baker, printer, or midwife. Maybe you could even try hauling water, mending a shift, or mixing herbs. $1 admission. 43 Pinkney St, Annapolis, MD 21401. Open 12–4 PM Saturday.
Free to visit all weekend long. Open 10 AM–4 PM every day. Don't miss these special events. 839 Londontown Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037.
Friday:
11 AM: Historic Area Tour
12 PM: Garden Tour
1:30 PM: AACPL Story Time
2 PM: Historic Area Tour
2:30 PM: AACPL Story Time
3 PM: Garden Tour
Saturday and Sunday:
11 AM: Historic Area Tour
12 PM: Garden Tour
2 PM: Historic Area Tour
3 PM: Garden Tour
Join Volunteers on the Crownsville Hospital Patient Cemetery grounds to begin Spring Cleaning of the Patient Cemetery and pay honor to the former patients with a special Say My Name ceremony. Bring your brushes, rakes, and spades. 11 AM–1 PM Saturday. 1520 Crownsville Rd, Crownsville, MD 21032.
To see Maryland Day events a bit outside of Annapolis, visit marylandday.org.
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