Check Out Drayden Schoolhouse Oct. 4 & 18

The St. Mary’s County Museum Division, in partnership with the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions (UCAC), will offer two open houses at the Drayden African American Schoolhouse in Drayden this month.

Dates of the remaining open houses this year
are 11am to 2pm October 4 and 18, 2025.

The Drayden African American Schoolhouse is one of the nation’s best-preserved one-room African American schoolhouses. Its story represents a significant part of St. Mary’s County’s African American history. Visitors are invited to learn more about the restored schoolhouse, its rich history, and its importance to education in St. Mary’s County. Hear the real stories about how African American students learned in this school up until the mid-20th century.

The schoolhouse is at 18287 Cherryfield Road.

Volunteers will be available during the open houses to share stories about the schoolhouse’s history. All ages are welcome, and admission is free to visit.

Monthly open houses will resume in April 2026.

Special programs are also offered for school, bus, and other tour groups that would like to schedule a visit to the Drayden site. Individual visitors who would like to see the schoolhouse during times outside open house hours can contact the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum at 301-994-1471 to arrange a visit.

For more information about the Drayden African American Schoolhouse open houses, programs, and more, visit the Drayden African American Schoolhouse Facebook page at Facebook.com/DraydenSchool or call 301-994-1471.