Step Into Our American Story at the Museum of Historic Annapolis.
Hotbed of the Revolution! Catalyst for Civil Rights! Home of the U.S. Naval Academy! Heart of the Chesapeake!
Annapolis is all these things – and more. Visit the Museum of Historic Annapolis to explore three floors of engaging exhibitions, an inspiring film, and an amazing collection of objects that share the dramatic stories of the diverse people of Annapolis who helped to shape our national story over more than 400 years.
Located in our historic building at 99 Main Street the Museum of Historic Annapolis is the perfect first stop to begin your discovery of Annapolis, A Museum Without Walls™.
Location
99 Main Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
410.990.4754
Hours
Winter Hours (January – March):
Friday – Monday: 11 am – 3 pm
Closed Tuesday through Thursday
Summer Hours (April – August):
Sunday – Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm
Fall Hours (September – December):
Friday – Monday: 10 am – 4 pm
Closed Tuesday through Thursday
ADMISSION FEES
The Museum of Historic Annapolis is a self-guided experience.
General Admission (ages 8 and up) – $7
Children (7 and under) – Free
Historic Annapolis Members – Free
Museums for All (SNAP/WIC) – Free
30-minute Guided Tours of the Museum are offered at 11:30 am and 2 pm each day, pending availability, during open hours. Click here to book in advance, or book at the door!
Upcoming Events at Historic Annapolis Sites
What's in the Community Gallery?
40 Years of PRS Guitars: A Journey of Tone
The newest exhibit in the Museum’s Community Gallery celebrates the founding of Maryland-based guitar manufactory, PRS Guitars. From Paul Reed Smith’s first workshop in a historic Annapolis garret on West Street, to his state-of-the-art factory across the Chesapeake Bay in Stevensville, Maryland, the PRS Guitars story is one of remarkable determination and a passion for excellence in guitar making. The exhibit shares the company’s 40-year evolution and how it continues to amplify the music world as the third largest electric guitar manufacturer in the United States.
PICTURE YOURSELF AT the Museum of Historic Annapolis
Annapolis: An American Story Partner Sites
Visit Other Historic Annapolis Sites:
History of 99 Main Street
In the early morning hours of January 21, 1790, a fire broke out in Richard Fleming’s bakehouse on what is now the corner of Main and Green streets. The fire destroyed most of the buildings along the waterfront block.
Soon after the fire, Frederick Grammar built the brick building now standing at 99 Main Street and Lewis Neth moved his store to the new structure in late 1791. By 1798, a small brick kitchen stood behind the larger building. In the late 1800s, the kitchen was converted into a dwelling oriented to Green Street, and part of the Main Street store was modified for residential use. In 1908, Moses Rolnick bought the two buildings separately, then ten years later they were sold together to Louis and Pauline Bloom.
In the 1950s, a structural wall was accidentally demolished at 99 Main Street, and the City ordered that the building be razed. A group of Historic Annapolis board members formed Port of Annapolis, Inc. to purchase the property and finance its restoration and adaptive reuse. Restoration was completed in 1960, and the site opened as the Sports and Specialties Shop. In 1970, it became the location of a shop called the Sign o’ the Whale.
Preservation of this prominent dockside property marked the beginning of the restoration of the Annapolis waterfront.
The latest phase in the life of this historic building began with a 2004-06 project to transform it into a preservation and education center named in honor of St. Clair Wright, a founder and longtime leader of Historic Annapolis, Inc.
Crews removed much of the 1950s building material, being careful to preserve the older structural fabric. Modern electrical, HVAC, plumbing, water, fire detection and suppression, telecommunications, and data systems were installed to equip the 18th-century building for 21st-century visitors. An elevator tower was built against 196 Green Street to provide access to all floors of both buildings without compromising the site’s street-side facades.
Today, the building at 99 Main Street is home to the Museum of Historic Annapolis and the permanent exhibition Annapolis: An American Story which offers a chronological look at over 400 years of Annapolis history.
Special Thanks
Historic Annapolis acknowledges the generous support of its Board of Trustees, individual and corporate donors, and grantors in funding the 2020 restoration of this historic building and the development and installation of the exhibition Annapolis: An American Story.
This project was made possible in part by:
“Annapolis: An American Story” has been financed in part with State Funds from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, an instrumentality of the State of Maryland. However, the project contents or opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority.