Historic Annapolis

SOLD OUT - Expressions of Love: Annapolis Opera in the Paca Garden
2026-06-07 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | William Paca House & Garden, 186 Prince George St, Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States
Join us in the Paca Garden as Annapolis Opera explores the many expressions of love in Opera! Featuring music by Gluck, Mozart, Verdi, and more, this program moves gracefully between sparkling comic moments and deeply felt lyricism. Through a blend of solos and duets, this musical jouney unfolds as in a celebration of connection, storytelling, and the joy of voices coming together in song.
Doors open at 2:30pm. Come early and enjoy the Paca Garden before the performance! Cash wine bar available for those age 21+
Advance registration required; space is limited. All are welcome.
Cost: $30 General Admission; $25 for HA Members, HA Volunteers, Military; $10 for Children age 3-17; Free for Children age 2 and under.
This event has SOLD OUT and new registrations are no longer possible. Thank you for your interest!

About Our Presenters:
Matthew Hill: An Annapolis Opera favorite, tenor Matthew Hill is praised for his “clarion high notes placed with unfailing precision” (Washington Classical Review). Matthew is a versatile performer across opera, oratorio, art song, and musical theatre. Acclaimed for his interpretations of Bach and Handel, The Washington Post lauded him for “deliver[ing] the Gospel texts with agile conviction,” and by Parterre Box for his “extraordinary breath control, mastery of coloratura, and commanding stage presence” in the title role of Belshazzar. As a soloist, he’s performed with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, American Bach Soloists, and Washington Bach Consort, in works by Bach, Handel, and Britten.
Matthew won first place in the Bethlehem Bach Young American Singers Competition, the NATS Artist Awards, and the Washington International Competition for Voice. He serves as the enlisted conductor and music director of the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants and is a founding member of The Polyphonists.
Amy Broadbent: With consummate poise, limpid clarity, and faultless intonation” (Washington Classical Review), Amy Broadbent has garnered recognition as a vibrant and versatile musical force. Amy has graced the stage of Annapolis Opera’s Summer in the Park performances and has performed as a soloist with the Oregon Bach Festival, Washington National Cathedral, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, Folger Consort, Staunton Music Festival, Bach Choir of Bethlehem, Washington Bach Consort, The Thirteen, and the New York Choral Society. She created the role of Sebastian in Scott Ordway’s The Outer Edge of Youth, her recording of which was acclaimed by Opera News (Critic’s Choice), Gramophone, and BBC Music Magazine. She is a founding member of vocal quartet The Polyphonists. A multi-faceted musician, Amy’s compositions and arrangements have been performed at the White House, Washington National Cathedral, and Basilica of the National Shrine, and broadcast nationally. Her conducting for the Victorian Lyric Opera Company was hailed as “stellar… a balletic piece of choreography” (Ruby Griffith Award). She is a soprano vocalist and the Associate Conductor for the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, the official chorus of the U.S. Navy. Amy holds degrees in both voice and conducting from the University of Maryland.

Accessibility Considerations: This event takes place in the William Paca Garden on our tented, brick terrace. Entry to the Paca Garden includes wooden steps or our brick driveway ramp. The upper portion of the Paca Garden can be accessed via a brick ramp with handrails. The pathways are loose pea gravel. The lower garden levels are accessed by wooden or stone steps. An indoor, single-use accessible restroom can be accessed via a ramp.
KultureCity® Sensory Bags are available for visitors with sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation.
Click here to lean more: Historic Annapolis is a certified partner with KultureCity® – Historic Annapolis
Cancellation and Refund Policy: Historic Annapolis reserves the right to cancel or alter any programs. Unless otherwise stated, all tickets are non-refundable.
Photography Policy: Historic Annapolis reserves the right to take photographs and video footage of people of all ages at Historic Annapolis-sponsored events for publicity. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please opt out by notifying Historic Annapolis staff.

Virtual Lecture - Citizen Science in the Chesapeake on the Eve of the American Revolution
2026-06-09 19:30 - 21:00 | Virtual Event, Zoom Virtual Lecture
Beginning with the first European settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607, until the 1775 battles at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, the Chesapeake region inspired interest among soldiers, merchants, and gentleman scholars in the Old World. Self-trained, amateur scientists like Thomas Jefferson fed that interest by committing their observations to paper. They sent letters and samples to correspondents in the Old World, most of whom held university degrees, at a time when education focused on classical literature and philosophy, theology, and the law.
These early Chesapeake scholars—whether roaming the countryside or making observations in their own gardens—are the intellectual ancestors of today’s citizen scientists, amateurs of all ages and backgrounds engaged in the advancement of knowledge through observation, measurement, analysis, and reporting of the world around them. This presentation explores that history from the vantage of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center’s Citizen Science in Archaeology program, participation in which is open to you.
The Historic Annapolis Virtual Lecture Series is offered free of charge thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor. If you enjoy this program, we hope you will consider becoming a member or making a donation today to support Historic Annapolis and our mission to connect all people with our shared history.
Can’t watch live? All lectures will be recorded. Please register and you’ll receive the link to watch the recording after the event.
Advance registration required; registration closes on half-hour prior to lecture.
Cost: FREE

This lecture will be offered virtually by Zoom. Upon registration, you will be sent the link for the video conference to join on the evening of the lecture. If you do not receive your confirmation email after you register, please check your Spam folder, or email Cara Garside at cara.garside@annapolis.org. To learn more about Zoom and to download the app to your computer, visit the Zoom website.

About Our Presenter: Jim Gibb (Binghamton University, PhD 1994) directs SERC’s Environmental Archaeology Laboratory (SEAL), housed in the Charles “Mac” Mathias Laboratory. He has researched and published on numerous topics in archaeology, from a Paleoindian site in Southern Maryland, to patterns of wealth among 17th-century planters, to production strategies among late 19th-century cheese manufacturers. With a team of citizen scientists engaged at all levels of research, from archival research to data collection to analysis and reporting, Jim investigates the ecosystem stresses created by socially differentiated households in the Rhode River watershed, analyzing biological materials and artifacts from tightly dated archaeological deposits from the mid-17th through 20th centuries.

The information contained in the HA Virtual Lecture series represents the historical research, views and opinions of the lecture presenter and may not represent the views or opinions of Historic Annapolis, Inc.

SOLD OUT - Paca Girlfriends Party
2026-06-10 18:00 - 21:00 | William Paca House & Garden, 186 Prince George St, Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States
Join us for the 18th annual Paca Girlfriends Party!
Wander the picturesque William Paca Garden as you enjoy a glass of bubbly and indulge in culinary creations prepared by the area’s premier chefs. Shop in our festive marketplace, meet and greet with local designers, and connect with a wide network of influential women. This popular annual fundraiser supports Historic Annapolis and our mission to Preserve . Protect . Connect.
All tickets for this year’s Paca Girlfriends Party are SOLD OUT! Thank you for your support and interest!
21+ only. Event is held rain or shine.
Ticket Prices:

Sparkling VIP Ticket – $500
(includes all-inclusive food and drink, early entry at 5 pm, access to the CovingtonAlsina VIP Party, a one-year Historic Annapolis membership at the $100 level, commemorative HA tote, and name recognition on event signage. Tax deductible amount: $425)

VIP Ticket – $250
(includes all-inclusive food and drink, early entry at 5 pm, commemorative HA tote, and access to the CovingtonAlsina VIP Party. Tax deductible amount: $220)

General Admission Ticket – $150
(includes all-inclusive food and drink. Tax deductible amount: $125)

Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Contact us at kaelynn.bedsworth@annapolis.org, or click here for our sponsorship package.

SOLD OUT - Queer Annapolis: A Historical Walking Tour of Love, Resistance, and Community
2026-06-13 15:00 - 16:30 | Museum of Historic Annapolis, 99 Main Street, Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States
Long before the Stonewall Uprising, and far beyond New York and California, queer people have lived, loved, and shaped American history. From the nation’s earliest days, LGBTQ+ individuals have been part of Maryland’s story, even when their lives were pushed into the shadows. This guided walking tour explores over three hundred years of LGBTQ+ history, pairing familiar landmarks with often-overlooked stories: from a Revolutionary War general to an African American schoolteacher. Join historian Dr. Chris Mielke as we honor those who challenged norms, built community, and were brave enough to be themselves.
The tour will begin at The People’s Park at 44 Calvert Street and end at the Museum of Historic Annapolis at 99 Main Street. At the conclusion of the tour, a small reception will be held at the Museum, featuring light refreshments and an opportunity to continue the conversation.

This program is sponsored by our friends at Annapolis Pride, celebrating, advocating, & empowering the LGBTQ+ community in Annapolis and its surrounding areas. Learn more at https://www.annapolispride.org
Please wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather, as the tour is held rain or shine. The tour route is approximately 1.25 miles long and includes elevation changes and uneven walking surfaces.
Advance registration required; space is limited. Recommended for ages 13+.
This event has SOLD OUT! Thank you for your interest.

About Our Presenter: Christopher Mielke is the Curator of Exhibits for the South Carolina Military Museum in Columbia, SC. Previously, he served as Executive Director of the Beverly Heritage Center in West Virginia, USA. He received his PhD in Medieval Studies from Central European University in 2017.

Cancellation and Refund Policy: Historic Annapolis reserves the right to cancel or alter any programs. Unless otherwise stated, all tickets are non-refundable.
Photography Policy: Historic Annapolis reserves the right to take photographs and video footage of people of all ages at Historic Annapolis-sponsored events for publicity. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please opt out by notifying Historic Annapolis staff.
