Discover St. Mary's County 2009 - (Page 14) WHAT TO SEE IN HISTORIC ST. MARY’S CITY Here are just a few of the highlights you won’t want to miss when visiting Historic St. Mary’s City. Begin your journey at the Visitor Center with a 10-minute orientation video and take in some of the artifacts that have been discovered throughout Maryland’s first capital over the last four decades. BRICK CHAPEL OF 1667: After years of research and excavation, the first monumental Roman Catholic Chapel in English America has been reconstructed on its original site using 17th century building methods. This magnificent structure symbolizes early religious toleration in Maryland. Beneath the chapel’s floor and buried within the surrounding field are hundreds of unmarked graves—the final resting place of Maryland’s first citizens and founders, including members of the Calvert family. Just in time for the state’s 375th birthday celebrations, the chapel doors will once again be opened to the public. ST. JOHN'S SITE MUSEUM: Regarded as one of Maryland’s most historic sites, this state-of-the-arts exhibit opened in September 2008 and is located on the campus of St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Built in 1638, this plantation was home to the first provincial secretary of Maryland and witnessed many of the state’s and nation’s “firsts,” including the first participatory democracy in English America. THE GODIAH SPRAY TOBACCO PLANTATION: Step back in time as first person interpreters greet visitors to this working farm where sights, sounds, and smells echo back to the 17th century. Don’t be surprised to find yourself alongside Mistress Spray and her servants as they feed pigs, hoe fields, pick worms off of tobacco plants, or pat corn cakes. This is time travel, St. Mary’s style. THE MARYLAND DOVE: The protected shoreline of the St. Mary’s River looks much as it did 375 years ago. Climb aboard the Maryland Dove, a recreation of a 17th century square-rigged ship. The Maryland Dove is a working ship and sails to ports-of-call around the Chesapeake Bay carrying with her the story of Maryland’s history. HISTORIC ST. MARY’S CITY 18751 Hogaboom Lane (off Route 5) St. Mary’s City, MD 20686 1-800-762-1634, 240-895-4490 www.stmaryscity.org HISTORIC ST. MARY’S CITY’S SEASONS AND HOURS January 7 through March 9 The Shop at Farthing's Ordinary and the new St. John's Museum will be open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., while living history exhibits and the Visitor Center are closed for the winter. Visitors may view interpretive signage on site and enjoy the museum grounds while the living history exhibits are closed. March 10 through June 13 The entire site is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The entire site is closed on Sunday and Monday with one exception: everything is open on Maryland Day, March 29. June 17 through November 29. The entire site is open Wednesday Sunday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The entire site is closed on Monday and Tuesday. December 2 – December 20 The Shop at Farthing's Ordinary and the St. John's Museum are open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Visitors may take a free audio tour, view interpretive signage on site, and enjoy the museum grounds while the living history exhibits are closed. The entire site is closed on Monday and Tuesday. The entire museum will be closed December 20, 2009 through January 5, 2010. “It was a tragedy for the city but it was a blessing for history,” says Dr. Henry M. Miller, director of research at Historic St. Mary’s City. “We’ve really been able to preserve and protect a very substantial portion of the original town. That’s a unique resource that Maryland has.” In essence, the dirt speaks to us and has become our historical text. “One of the things about archaeology which gives it value is: written documents are limited typically to those who are literate and in the past that was a relatively modest proportion of the population, especially as you were dealing with the 17th century,” says Miller. “Everybody, whether you’re literate or not, leaves a material record behind; whether you’re the governor or you’re the most humble slave there are archaeological remains associated with you. It’s almost a democratic record in many ways and by learning how to decipher that record we have a tool that allows us to explore their lives and their times and to really gain an insight into architecture, daily life, trade networks, sometimes religious or political affiliation. We’re charting how people from diverse lands arrive and create a completely new society.” If the Calverts were to sail up the Chesapeake today, what would they think of their business venture? “I suspect the Calverts would be astonished at the growth of their colony, the population it now has and the level of development,” says Miller, “…they would be impressed with the extent of religious freedom and diversity in the state, a goal they clearly championed. And I suspect they would find the level of opportunity that still exists in Maryland a very laudatory thing. Compared to early 17th century England, individuals have an exceptional degree of economic opportunity in contemporary Maryland. While economic downturns occurred then and now, the influx of immigrants continues today in the state and opportunity is a key element in that attraction.” Maryland’s narrative—a sprawling tale of “America in Miniature”—continues to compel and captivate. As we move into the next chapter, it’s important to remember how the story began. For more information about historical and archaeological research at Historic St. Mary’s City, visit www.stmaryscity.org. 14 ST. MARY’S COUNTY VISITORS GUIDE 2009 http://www.stmaryscity.org http://www.stmaryscity.org
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