News

The William Paca House and the Historic Annapolis Museum Store will open its doors free of charge on Saturday, September 23, 2017 as part of Smithsonian magazine’s thirteenth annual Museum Day Live!  For this initiative participating museums across the United States emulate the spirit of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, DC  based facilities, which offer free admission every day, and open their doors for free to those who download a Museum Day Live! ticket. Learn More »

Just wanted to write a little update on the past week since it's been busier than normal for me! First things first- croquet. It was raining all day (for the first time in years) so I wasn't sure what the turnout would be. We had a drink at Galway then headed over. My phone promptly died so I didn't take any pictures. So sad. I wore a kelly green lace dress (a cross between this one and this one, though not QUITE as fancy) but kept my trench on the whole time- it was so cold. Regardless, I really enjoyed the day and thought the rain and umbrellas (and champagne) added to the ambiance. It felt very "English countryside" this year. St John's won 3-2 and we stayed til the bitter end to witness the game-winning play.  For croquet pictures, check out Glenn Miller's album here, or Sarah Culver's album from years past. The next day, there was an Earth Day Festival on Maryland Avenue. I worked at least 10 festivals while we had our shop so it was so nice to just be a normal person this time around.  I ran into lots of old friends, met two new business owners on the Avenue (Bear of Bear's Honeypot and Lisa of Barefoot Dwelling), and stayed for the flamenco dancing and cute teens in School of Rock. All in all, a very downtown weekend.  In addition, I just accepted a new job, resigned from my old job, and have started lifting weights and running, so it's been hectic trying to balance all that. I really want a routine again.  Then this morning, I got an impromptu tour of the Paca House from Pandora Hess, the curator of their collections.  Paca House (rhymes with "Take-a"- pronunciation gleaned from its use in a gentleman's poem from the 1700's) is right down the street from me, but I've never been inside.  I share mutual friends with Pandora- I mainly reached out to find out about events, and ended up getting a long private tour. No complaints. She studied art history at Oxford, has a British accent, and knows EVERYTHING about historic Annapolis. I love it Learn More »

April 14 marks the 250th anniversary of the start of construction on what is now called the James Brice House at the juncture of 42 East and Prince George streets in Historic Annapolis. As the foundation walls were being laid, a chunky stone with the words "The Beginning" was cemented into a corner of the basement. Learn More »

It’s pretty rare when someone can pull their career into their volunteer work. However, for Judi Herrmann, President and Creative Director of Herrmann Advertising, Branding, and Technology,  the two do just that. Herrmann started her company 37 years ago and has been volunteering with Historic Annapolis for over 20 Learn More »

“Hold that boat!” One thing I’ve learned as a new stay-at-home mom is to make the most of life between my baby’s naps and mealtimes. That’s why I ran past the yachts and sailboats anchored along “Ego Alley” in Annapolis, Md., to flag down the Harbor Queen before its last daily departure at 4 p.m Learn More »

Captain Santa is coming to town! With a cheerful spirit, Cruises on the Bay℠ by Watermark® announces Jolly Express Cruises for the 2016 holiday season. Miss Anne will be decked out in her reindeer best with a bright red nose and antlers offering 45-minute Spa Creek sleigh rides in December. A cruise on the Jolly Express is a most festive – and Annapolitan – way to celebrate the holidays! Jolly passengers enjoy hot cocoa, holiday music and lots of holiday cheer on a cozy and spirited 45-minute cruise of beautiful Spa Creek in Annapolis. As part of the Jolly Express tradition and in the spirit of holiday giving, ten percent of ticket proceeds will be donated to Historic Annapolis, Inc. Learn More »

Multipurpose furniture wasn't a recent invention. Cabinet maker and furniture craftsman John Shaw (1745 – 1829), who had a workshop and residence at 21 State Circle, Annapolis, created meticulously built designs which graced many a townhouse and manor in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Learn More »

The Four Rivers Heritage Area held its Fifteenth Anniversary Celebration and Thirteenth Annual Heritage Awards on Thursday, November 10, 2016, in the Blue Heron Room at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis.  Learn More »

What began as a way to raise funds for the Historic Annapolis Foundation's programs a quarter century ago has become a cherished autumn tradition. For one Friday and Saturday evening each fall since 1991, the streets of Annapolis' historic district are lit up by people streaming through the neighborhoods, flashlights in one hand and a guide or map in the other. Then as now, they are participants in the annual Annapolis by Candlelight Tour, a rare, once-a-year opportunity to visit and view the interiors of historic buildings, many privately owned. Learn More »

Beth Dolezal, a native of New London, Connecticut, never dreamed she'd be living within eight miles of another place named "London" — London Town in Edgewater. One summer in the late 1980s in Washington, D.C., Beth and a friend decided to have an adventure. Attempting to visit the Eastern Shore on a beach weekend, they got stuck in backed-up Bay Bridge traffic on Route 50 around exit 24. "Let's go look at some houses in Annapolis, instead," Beth suggested.   Learn More »

The James Brice House was seventy-six years old when Charles Dickens sat down and wrote his holiday classic A Christmas Carol. This December, for the third year in a row, Historic Annapolis will host Mark Hildebrand and friends as they bring the words and characters to life through a dramatic reading of the beloved tale.               Learn More »

There's smooth sailing for you and your grandchildren when you visit Annapolis, Maryland. With plenty of water views and water sports, this county seat of Anne Arundel County is an invitation to fun. Annapolis is called the Sailing Capital of the World, no surprise considering that it's situated on the Chesapeake Bay. It's less than an hour from Baltimore and Washington, D. C. Learn More »

The Historic Annapolis foundation will receive a $150,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to support its "A History of Annapolis in 99 Objects" exhibit. Learn More »

September is Bourbon Heritage Month! As a bourbon drinker, this is an exciting month for me! In recent years, I’ve enjoyed getting to know more about the drinks I enjoy – their history, how their made and the best ways to drink them. Annapolis has become a great town for a great cocktail. Restaurants and bars likeTsunami, Level and Metropolitan have crafted perfect cocktails for the bourbon drinker Learn More »

 On June 15, hundreds of women gathered in the William Paca House and Garden to socialize, shop, enjoy the beauty of the restored garden and, of course, drink a Pacatini or two at the eighth annual Paca Girlfriends' Party. Many women were overheard saying, "Wow! It gets bigger and better every year." Learn More »

Architect and collector David Thompson will explore the history of architectural and engineering drawing of the 18th and early 19th centuries in a lecture at the James Brice House Thursday evening. Learn More »

Historic Annapolis is excited to present a new 90-minute guided walking tour of Annapolis focusing on the life of William Paca and his fellow Annapolis revolutionaries Learn More »

Annapolis residents will have a chance to walk in the footsteps of revolutionary William Paca this fall. Historic Annapolis, a nonprofit that preserves historic places and objects throughout the city, is offering a new 90-minuted walking tour that focuses on the lives of Paca and other local revolutionaries, according to a news release. The tour will highlight Paca's evolution from a young lawyer to a signer of the Declaration of Independence and Maryland governor. Learn More »

From 18th-century ruling pens to modern-day computer modeling, the history of architectural tools has evolved greatly over time. Join Historic Annapolis for a lecture by David Thompson and learn the history of some of these tools. Learn More »

Annapolitans live, work and play in old places every day. From the Colonial Annapolis Historic District to City Dock to the modest buildings of Butler's Row, these places set the stage for peoples' lives. But why do these old places matter? This year, Annapolis is hosting a series of lectures to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act. I was privileged to speak about a series of essays I wrote on why old places matter. (They can be found at forum.savingplaces.org/blogs.) While I have always been an unabashed advocate for keeping and reusing old places, as I wrote these essays, I found to my surprise that old places are actually more important to people than I — and many preservationists — generally recognize. Here's why. Learn More »

Herrmann Advertising | Branding | Technology was honored with five wins in this year’s International Academy of Visual Arts’ Communicator Awards. The Annapolis agency’s work for Cardinal Financial Corporation, Kramer Levin, Historic Annapolis and the Howard County Health Department, along with Herrmann’s own website redesign, competed with more than 6,000 entries from across the U.S. and the world. Learn More »

For Ash Mikhia, U.S. citizenship has been a long time coming. Since he immigrated from Iran at age 12, he had wanted to become an American. He joined the Navy in the '90s, but was discharged later because of his asthma. When he got a job at the World Bank in 1998, he hoped to begin the citizenship process — but the bank was only looking for international employees. Now, after retiring from The World Bank, Mikhia is a U.S. citizen. "This was the right time. And the most exciting thing is to do it in Annapolis, near the Naval Academy," the Rockville resident said. "This country gave me opportunity." On Monday, he was one of 24 people who became citizens at the house of an Annapolis resident who signed the Declaration of Independence 240 years ago. In addition to the naturalization ceremony at the William Paca House and Garden Monday, more than 7,000 people became U.S. citizens between June 30 to July 4. Learn More »

Now an annual tradition, more than three dozen area residents who emigrated to Maryland from around the world officially become U.S. citizens in the 10th annual naturalization ceremony to be held on the rear terrace of the historic William Paca House and Garden, 186 Prince George St., at 10 a.m. on the Fourth of July. Admission is free. Learn More »

Historic Annapolis is hosting its annual Fourth of July event at the William Paca House this July 4th. Each year, the event draws both locals and tourists to celebrate the birth of our nation at the home of William Paca, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a three-term Governor of Maryland. It is a unique opportunity for visitors to witness a Naturalization Ceremony, tour the Paca House, and celebrate the Fourth in the heart of Annapolis. Learn More »

TSG Baltimore & Annapolis makes an appearance at The Paca Girlfriends Annual Spring Fundraiser for Historic Annapolis.  Learn More »

Historic Annapolis has partnered with the Smithsonian Institution, giving the local nonprofit access to the organization's 35 million historic artifacts. The Annapolis nonprofit is now a part of the Smithsonian Affiliations program and will have the opportunity to borrow items from the Smithsonian museums, as well as organize educational collaborations and traveling exhibitions, said Carrie Kiewitt, spokeswoman for Historic Annapolis. The organization is one of six affiliates in Maryland and one of 200 in the country. "The things they bring to the table are endless," Kiewitt said. "It has great benefits for our members." Learn More »

Last night, the gardens at the William Paca House were full of color!  Not only were the flowers in bloom, but hundreds of women from the Annapolis area flooded the terraced lawn for a good cause–to raise funds for Historic Annapolis. It was the Paca Girlfriends Party going stronger than ever for the 8th year Learn More »

After a successful launch on Maryland Day, Architrex makes its debut on Annapolis Tours℠ by Watermark®’s public tour schedule in June! When the Maryland Day tour ended with an enthusiastic round of applause from guests, it was clear the new architecture tour should be made available to the public on a regular basis. Celebrate and learn about the city’s most notable and celebrated examples of 17th and 18th Century architecture with “ArchiTrex,” a new tour by Annapolis Tours by Watermark and Historic Annapolis. The tour was developed in partnership with Watermark, Historic Annapolis, Craig Martin of Spire Architecture and Leslie Xavier. Watermark will offer the 2-hour walking tour to the public on the second and fourth Saturday of the month, June through September. Learn More »

For a city of only eight square miles—one of them water—Annapolis has a remarkable mix of the historic, the quaint, and the majestic. Learn More »

After more than 30 years, the William Paca Garden plant sale continues to raise enough money to keep one of the more picturesque Annapolis landmarks looking as good as new.   The annual sale raises close to $20,000 every year during Mother's Day weekend — money that goes to maintaining the 2-acre Colonial garden outside the home of William Paca, one of Maryland's four signers of the Declaration of Independence and the state's third governor.   Learn More »

Residents and visitors to Annapolis (all four million of you a year), look around. Do you like what you see—the historical touchstones and the charming vibe of a colonial cityscape overflowing with a rich architectural heritage? Does a sense of relief or gratitude claim your attention and are you amazed if only for a moment at how this Old World appeal has been preserved amidst the hustle and bustle of 21st Century America? It wasn’t always this way you know. But for the indomitable will of one woman much, if not most, of this would have been lost decades ago to the wrecking ball and/or the ruin that follows in the shadow of neglect the way night follows day Learn More »

New Historic Annapolis initiative aims to tell the storied history of the city through 99 chosen objects
Get ready, Annapolis. Your history is about to be told like never before.

This time next year Historic Annapolis plans to unveil a large scale exhibit that tells “A History of Annapolis in 99 Objects.” Set to open at several sites around Annapolis, it promises to be every bit as challenging to produce, and as fascinating to observe, as its title implies. Learn More »

Dressed in replica Colonial garb, Diane Rey snapped a selfie.   "I'll put this away," she said of her smart phone. "It's not very 18^th century."   Tucking her phone into her pocket, she entered Back Creek Books on Main Street and got into character.   "Hear ye, good citizen of Annapolis. My name is Anne Catherine Green, I am wife of Jonas Green, printer of this city and I must say that present circumstances compel me to command your attention as our very liberties are at stake," she said.

A block south of the campus of St. John's College, and two blocks west of the Naval Academy's Gate 3, two venerable buildings sit catty-corner to each other, across a busy intersection. They both seem too big to have been a colonial residence. Correct. One is a former opera house. The other appears to have been a church. And, it was. You're about to get a peek inside. Learn More »

October 13, 2015 - Today state, county, and city leaders, joined by U.S. Naval Academy Superintendent VADM Ted Carter and Commandant of Midshipman Colonel Stephen Liszewski, gathered for a breakfast celebrating the 240th birthday of the U.S. Navy (October 13, 1775), the 170th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Naval Academy (October 10, 1845), and the 240th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps (November 10, 1775). Among the morning's speakers was Robert C. Clark, President and CEO of Historic Annapolis.   Learn More »

Robert Hardy spent 20 hours designing posters for the Historic Annapolis Foundation. He didn't use Adobe, Microsoft Word or a computer. He used an antique printing press. "To think what they did with those very limited tools…," he said in the basement of Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts.   Hardy hand made the 40 posters with a technique similar ones used to print the Maryland Gazette as publisher Jonas Green protested the Stamp Act — a turning point in American history that many believe set the Colonies on the road to revolution. To mark the 250th anniversary of Green's protest, Historic Annapolis has organized Sons of Liberty Week, complete with historical reenactments, lectures and a walking tour from Oct. 19 through Oct. 25. The newspaper is still published by Capital Gazette Communications, making it one of the oldest newspapers in the country. Learn More »

The city's historic district could welcome a new outdoor theater as early as 2017 Learn More »

Fires blazed. Refugees took to the streets.  Washington, D.C. was in a state of panic.  Rumors swirled that the Brits were on a mission to capture President James Madison.   So Madison and his first lady fled the city.  
A little town in Maryland becase their safe haven.  It's a part of history that most people don't know, but Mark Hildebrand does - he filmed a documentary about it.  Brookville: Capital for a Day is the storey of the only time in history that a president was on the run and was sheltered by Quakeers   Learn More »

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Loni Moyer accepted a "preservation pioneer" award on behalf of her father, the late Annapolis Mayor Roger "Pip" Moyer, during a historic preservation gathering Tuesday afternoon. Learn More »

History is not merely something on paper. It's also the story told by our human-created environment, from the roads we drive on to the neighborhoods we live in to the buildings where we conduct most of our lives to the objects we handle. Learn More »

Like Uncle Sam circa 1917 "I want you for the U.S. Army" posters, Historic Annapolis is in search of a few good men and women. Learn More »