Calendar of Events

EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND! Join Historic Annapolis in our beloved Paca Garden for special guided garden tours on Friday mornings in September. Tours will be offered September 5, 12, and 19. Take a stroll through our beautifully restored two-acre 18th century English garden. Painstakingly restored to its original splendor using details drawn from historic artwork… Continue reading Guided Garden Stroll at the William Paca Garden

Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime is a fun hour full of reading and activities in the William Paca Garden, a secret treasure in the Historic District of Annapolis. Each program is designed for little ones, 3-7 years, with a book reading, song, and craft/art project, plus time to explore the Paca Garden following the story hour.… Continue reading Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime: “Library Girl” by Nancy Pearl

It’s the fall of 1775 and General George Washington now commands a revolutionary army. In the northern colonies, open conflict with the British Crown has begun—but what about here in Annapolis? Stroll down Pinkney Street and discover the hopes and fears of the local townspeople. Listen to the fierce debates shaping this pivotal moment. Will… Continue reading Living History on Pinkney Street: March to Revolution

Join Historic Annapolis at the 12th annual Blazers . Bourbon . Cigars!  Connect with a wide network of influential community members – the region’s top business leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, and visionaries representing our diverse community – in the picturesque William Paca Garden. While you network, enjoy bourbon, whiskey, and other fine liquor tastings, premium cigars,… Continue reading Blazers . Bourbon . Cigars

Step back in time with living historian Antoine Watts and explore the legacy of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment. Formed in 1775, this groundbreaking regiment was the first in the Continental Army to include African American, Native American, and white soldiers serving side by side. Discover how these brave men fought for freedom and helped… Continue reading First Rhode Island Regiment – with Living Historian Antoine Watts

Historic Annapolis is pleased to partner with the New Century American Irish-Arts Company for The Crabtown Frolic, a two-day traditional music festival featuring intimate performances, presentations, repertoire workshops, social dances, and music sessions. Historic Annapolis will host the festival’s culminating performances on Sunday, September 28 on the picturesque terrace at the William Paca House &… Continue reading The Crabtown Frolic: A Festival of Chesapeake Living Traditions

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. Sometimes our nation’s founders did not agree on constitutional meaning. Other ties, the Constitution’s ambiguity comes from our country facing contemporary issues that the… Continue reading Virtual Lecture – Major Developments in American Constitutional History

In October, experience a spirited tour of the historic William Paca House, highlighting tales of the past: sickness, treatments, mourning rituals, and superstitions. Tours are offered every Saturday at 2 pm and every Monday at 11 am throughout October. You’ll be guided by candlelight on a special tour focusing on the treatment of diseases, medical… Continue reading Spirits of the Past: Disease, Death, and Mourning Tours

Drop in anytime during open hours for Storytime at the Hogshead Trades Museum! Discover the fascinating lives and stories of tradespeople from the past and enjoy a fun coloring activity inspired by historic trades and daily life.  Cost: Free ($5 suggested donation) Accessibility: Accessing this program requires ascending a flight of stairs.   Cancellation and Refund Policy:… Continue reading Storytime at Hogshead: Tales of a Tradesperson

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 along her shores to the modern-day sailors who ply her waters. Food/drink suggestion: Chesapeake oyster stew with Fordham Copperhead Ale The Historic Annapolis 2025 Virtual… Continue reading Virtual Lecture – Despicable Pirates, 3,000-Year-Old Oyster Shells & Cannibal Crabs! Tall Tales of Annapolis & the Chesapeake Bay

Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime is a fun hour full of reading and activities in the William Paca Garden, a secret treasure in the Historic District of Annapolis. Each program is designed for little ones, 3-7 years, with a book reading, song, and craft/art project, plus time to explore the Paca Garden following the story hour.… Continue reading Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime: “The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything” by Linda Williams

Drop in anytime during open hours for Storytime at the Hogshead Trades Museum! Discover the fascinating lives and stories of tradespeople from the past and enjoy a fun coloring activity inspired by historic trades and daily life.  Cost: Free ($5 suggested donation) Accessibility: Accessing this program requires ascending a flight of stairs.   Cancellation and Refund Policy: Historic Annapolis reserves the… Continue reading Storytime at Hogshead: Tales of a Tradesperson

Historic Annapolis, Inc., Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum, and Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts are pleased to present “A Conversation with Abby Phillip” at Maryland Hall on October 12, 2025 at 6 pm. Anchor of CNN’s NewsNight with Abby Phillip, Ms. Phillip will share her thoughts on her lived experience, from her Maryland childhood to her noteworthy career as a… Continue reading A Conversation with Abby Phillip

Thank you for your interest! This program is at capacity. Please join us for one of our other fabulous events! Step into the magic of the season with a special Nutcracker Storytime at the  William Paca House and Garden, in partnership with the Ballet Theatre of Maryland! Join us for a whimsical afternoon where the… Continue reading SOLD OUT – Nutcracker Storytime with the Ballet Theatre of Maryland

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 full story. Slavery was also a fact of life in many northern colonies before the American Revolution. Northern slavery was never as widespread or as essential to the economy as… Continue reading Virtual Lecture – Northern Slavery in Colonial America with Dr. Richard Bell

Step back to the turbulent days of 1775 and meet the newly formed Maryland State Marines as they recruit for the fight against Great Britain. Discover how Maryland prepared to defend its shores, waterways, and people at the start of the American Revolution. Cost: FREE ($5 suggested donation – help support programs like these!) Accessibility:… Continue reading Defenders of the Chesapeake: Maryland State Marines

Step back in time as the Annapolis Living Historians bring the Paca House to life with stories of loss, remembrance, and tradition. On this immersive guided tour of the Paca House, travel through different moments in the life of William Paca and meet some of the people who shaped his world. Discover how early Americans mourned—and… Continue reading Mourning and Memory: Spirits of the Paca House

Step back in time and explore the science and engineering behind colonial homes! This immersive homeschool program invites students to discover how grand homes like the William Paca House were designed and built. Through hands-on activities and guided exploration, participants will learn the basics of construction and design in the 1700s. Students will build mini… Continue reading Homeschool Day: Colonial Construction

Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime is a fun hour full of reading and activities in the William Paca Garden, a secret treasure in the Historic District of Annapolis. Each program is designed for little ones, 3-7 years, with a book reading, song, and craft/art project, plus time to explore the Paca Garden following the story hour.… Continue reading Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime: “Trick or Treat on Scary Street” by Lance Bass

Stop by Hogshead Trades Museum for a special program highlighting the courageous contributions of African American women during the Civil War. Meet living historians and hear the compelling stories of three extraordinary women: Lucy Ann Walker – The Clothesline Spy Mary Bowser – The Confederate White House Black Dispatcher Mary Louvestre – The Ironclad Informant… Continue reading Corsets and Contraband: African American Women’s Labor in the Fight for Freedom

The United States Colored Troops (USCT) were Union Army regiments during the U.S. Civil War that were primarily comprised of African American men.   Stop by Hogshead Trades Museum and meet a volunteer member of USCT Company B. They will share their in-depth understanding of the Civil War era through performing demonstrations of camp life, military… Continue reading U.S. Colored Troops in the Civil War at Hogshead Trades Museum

Join us for a guided walking tour of Brewer Hill Cemetery in honor of Emancipation Day. Maryland Emancipation Day is observed on November 1st to commemorate the abolition of slavery in Maryland through a new state constitution on November 1, 1864. Learn the origins of this historic African American burial site. Hear stories of those… Continue reading Brewer Hill Cemetery Tour with Historic Annapolis

On November 1, 1864, a new state constitution abolished slavery in Maryland. Join us at the Museum of Historic Annapolis as we recognize and honor this historic event with a day of special programming and engaging activities, included with Museum admission.  Our 45-minute guided museum tours spotlight African American history, celebrate Maryland’s Emancipation Day, and… Continue reading Honoring Maryland’s Emancipation Day at the Museum of Historic Annapolis

Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime is a fun hour full of reading and activities in the William Paca Garden, a secret treasure in the Historic District of Annapolis. Each program is designed for little ones, 3-7 years, with a book reading, song, and craft/art project, plus time to explore the Paca Garden following the story hour.… Continue reading Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime: “Federico and the Wolf” by Rebecca J. Gomez

  Join Historic Annapolis for a delightful day trip from Annapolis to Philadelphia and explore the rich history of Fairmount Park! This special excursion includes guided tours of three magnificent historic homes: Woodford Mansion (1756-1758): An example of the early “summer retreats” that were built along the Schuylkill River during the 1700s and 1800s by… Continue reading Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park Historic Homes – Bus Tour with Historic Annapolis

Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime is a fun hour full of reading and activities in the William Paca Garden, a secret treasure in the Historic District of Annapolis. Each program is designed for little ones, 3-7 years, with a book reading, song, and craft/art project, plus time to explore the Paca Garden following the story hour.… Continue reading Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime: “Duck for Turkey Day” by Jacqueline Jules

Join us for a hands-on experience as we assemble and bring to life an authentic grandfather clock from the 1700s. Feel the weight of the gears, touch the intricate parts, and discover how early technology kept time. Learn the secrets of timekeeping from the original “techies”! Cost: FREE ($5 suggested donation) Accessibility: Accessing this program requires… Continue reading Tick Tock Tech: Build a Grandfather Clock with a Clockmaker

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… Continue reading Virtual Lecture – Strangers in the Realm: Immigration to Colonial America with Dr. Richard Bell

Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime is a fun hour full of reading and activities in the William Paca Garden, a secret treasure in the Historic District of Annapolis. Each program is designed for little ones, 3-7 years, with a book reading, song, and craft/art project, plus time to explore the Paca Garden following the story hour.… Continue reading Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime: “Happy All-idays” by Cindy Jin