The first Africans had been brought to Virginia as slaves in 1619 but it wasn’t until the 1670s that slavery began to dominate parts of the American economy. That process […]
Presented by Daniel J. Sieh The United States, or “Gold Mountain” as it was known in Asia, was often seen as a very distant but promising destination for many in […]
Historic Annapolis is pleased to be a Foundational Friend of the Maryland Council for Social Studies and are partnering with them to present programs focusing on the United States Constitution. […]
The United States Constitution was ratified in 1789; however, the document’s meaning has not always been clear. This is because many debates over constitutional interpretation were settled during the Constitutional Convention. […]
Storyteller Jefferson Holland presents a delightful program of original tall tales and songs inspired by the people and places of the Bay, from the Native Americans who feasted on oysters […]
North Slavery in Colonial America We tend to think of slavery as a labor system that was confined to the American South. But it turns out that that’s not the […]
Dr. Richard Bell joins us for a hybrid in-person/virtual lecture as he celebrates his new book, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World. The in-person lecture is currently at capacity, but we invite you to join us via Zoom as we livestream Dr. Bell's book talk. When we think of the American Revolution, […]
Our War for Independence is reflected in patriotic songs, ballads, marches and dance tunes -- a rich reflection of Americans' fears, hopes and pride as the war progressed. Not just associated with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and the like, this music also represents the downtrodden, rebel and tory alike. This lecture with Dr. […]
The American colonies were full of strangers–new arrivals born far away. Among the white population, those colonies teemed with immigrants from all across western Europe and elsewhere. Why did they come? Where did they settle? How did they live? To answer these questions, we’ll examine the demographic makeup of the British colonies in 1700 and […]
This virtual lecture with Alexandra Kirtley is an encore of her presentation from the 2025 Orlando Ridout V Memorial Lecture, presented in partnership by Historic Annapolis and the Maryland Historical […]
The Founding Fathers’ cries for liberty from tyranny and oppression resonated with African Americans and were embraced by Black craftspeople, both free and enslaved. This talk highlights the profound contributions of African American material culture in the enduring pursuit of freedom. It serves as the culmination of the DAR Museum’s 2025 exhibition and the accompanying […]
In this presentation, Mark Letzer explores the surviving silver from the workshops of Annapolis silversmiths in the 1700s. He not only illustrates the few surviving objects but illuminates the lives of these craftsmen not only as silversmiths but as members of a larger community. From taverns to social gatherings and their workshops, Letzer will share […]
