HSMC Opens for Season March 17
Step into Maryland’s first capital as Historic St. Mary’s City outdoor exhibits open for the 2026 season from 10am to 4pm March 17.
HSMC admission 10am to 4pm: $15 adults, $13 seniors, $10 ages 6-18, free to ages 5 and younger and members.
On March 17, registration opens for May public sails at 10am and 1pm May 9 and 23.
Step aboard the Maryland Dove for a relaxed, two-hour sail on the St. Mary’s River. Take in the scenery, feel the breeze, and experience the river much as it would have been centuries ago. Ages 5+. $65 general / $55 members. Registration required: [email protected] or 301-994-4372.
Upcoming Events
Spring Scavenger Hunt 10am to 4pm March 21
Celebrate the start of spring by exploring the beautiful landscape with a family-friendly scavenger hunt. Pick up a scavenger hunt booklet at the visitor center during check-in and discover the signs of spring across the site. The booklet is included with general admission.
Changing Landscapes Tour 1pm March 21 and 28
Explore recent discoveries at St. Mary’s Fort and sites reflecting more than 8,000 years of Native presence. The guided tour introduces the interactions between Indigenous communities and European settlers in the 1600s and highlights how the landscape continues to reveal new stories.
Please be prepared to walk over uneven terrain, including an active excavation site. $5 per participant (ages 6 and younger free) for all tours. Space is limited. Registration required upon admission purchase.
Ghost Frame Tours 11am and 1pm March 21
You see them as you drive into Historic St. Mary’s City – tall wooden outlines standing in open fields. But what are they? Join a guided walking tour to explore the iconic “Ghost Frames,” which mark the locations of 17th-century buildings uncovered through archaeology. Discover who lived and worked here and the stories hidden beneath the ground of Maryland’s first capital. $5 per participant. Space is limited. Registration is required upon admission purchase.
Little Explorers: Maryland Day 10 to 11am March 25
Celebrate Maryland Day with Little Explorers at Historic St. Mary’s City. Preschool learners and their grown-ups will explore Maryland’s story through age-appropriate activities that blend storytelling, movement, play, and discovery. State House Bluff. Ages 3 to 5 with an accompanying adult. $4 per child/$3 members. One adult free. Spring Dates for Little Explorers: March 25, April 8, April 22, May 6, and May 20
Homeschool Day: A Day in the Life 10am to 4pm March 27
Learning comes to life during Homeschool Day at Historic St. Mary’s City. Families are invited to spend the day exploring all four exhibit areas through hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding of Maryland’s early history. Perfect for homeschool families seeking meaningful, curriculum-aligned history experiences in an engaging outdoor setting. General admission. No registration is required.
Breakfast with the Animals 10:30 to 11:30am March 31
Start your day at Historic St. Mary’s City with a behind-the-scenes look at life on the tobacco plantation. Join plantation staff to help feed the animals, learn about their care, and enjoy a guided morning tour of the site as the museum wakes up for the day. Godiah Spray Tobacco Plantation. All ages. $15/$10 members. Ages 2 and younger are free. Space is limited. Preregistration with full payment required. Register at [email protected] or call 301-994-4372.
