Established in 1952, Historic Annapolis is the leading nonprofit preservation and history organization in Annapolis, Maryland.
Historic Annapolis, Inc. (HA) was founded to ensure that the legacy of Annapolis’s past would continue to enrich the city’s future. Without the dedicated efforts of Historic Annapolis, our city might look like any other town in America.
Historic Annapolis was instrumental in getting the Colonial Annapolis Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We successfully advocated for ordinances and zoning restrictions that continue to safeguard the city’s unique architecture, welcoming waterfront, and scenic vistas. Because of these efforts, Annapolis has one of the largest concentrations of colonial buildings in the nation.
Historic Annapolis’s seminal project was restoring and opening the grand colonial home and garden of William Paca, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Other preservation efforts saved the more modest living and work spaces of early artisans and merchants. Together with the University of Maryland and the City of Annapolis, we sponsored archaeological excavations that uncovered forgotten remnants of the past.
We are an active partner with several cultural and tourism organizations, including the Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area. Together, we promote our region’s historical, cultural, and natural assets. The tours, museum exhibits, educational programs, and social gatherings we host bring history to life for residents and visitors alike.
Historic Annapolis draws its true strength from the hundreds of members, volunteers, and supporters.
Our mission is to Preserve and Protect the historic places, objects, and stories of Maryland’s capital city, and provide engaging experiences that Connect people to the area’s diverse heritage.
Our Vision and Promise
To be a leading community resource in preserving and promoting the historic character of Maryland’s capital city, and to provide opportunities that allow the public to better understand, enjoy, and experience our collective history for generations to come.
Strategic Goals
- Uphold the organization’s role as a leader in historic preservation, education, and advocacy;
- Create financial stability and organizational growth;
- Establish and maintain consistent and clear lines of communication both externally and internally;
- Expand partnerships and promotion opportunities; and
- Cultivate and serve a broader audience base.
Core Purposes
- To represent the best interests of the community in protecting the city’s historic character;
- To provide the public with engaging and rich experiences that are unique to Annapolis and connected to the larger national story;
- To preserve significant historic and cultural resources including buildings, objects, artifacts, archival materials, and living collections; and
- To honor the legacy of our own organization.
Our COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
Historic Annapolis strives to be a leading community resource in preserving and promoting Annapolis’s history. Along with this goal is our belief that we have a responsibility to share Annapolis’s comprehensive history and to speak to the many stories of our past. Our organization is committed to working with city leadership, our partner organizations, and the broader preservation community to honor the diversity of Annapolis. Our collective history – from terrible events to beautiful ones – is important to tell.
The entire HA staff and Board of Trustees is fully committed to combat social and economic injustice and to promote a more culturally relevant society. Historic Annapolis condemns acts of racism, and like many other history-based organizations, we believe we have a responsibility to confront the difficult chapters of our past. Through our mission to connect people with their heritage, we are charged with authentically recording our collective history and documenting the past for future generations. We hope that by providing opportunities for the public to better understand Annapolis’s diverse voices and narratives, we may do our part to help mend the divisions of our nation, illuminate common ground, and provide substantive links to the American story.
Historic Annapolis is committed to integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace to include, but not limited to, its policies, procedures, plans, and programming. The organization recognizes the benefits of recruiting and retaining diverse staff, board members, and volunteers and strives to provide a welcoming and equitable environment. We respect all people regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, familial status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation and encourage the perspectives they bring to the organization’s operations and mission fulfillment.