Date: December 29, 2026
Dear Friends of Historic Annapolis,
I hope your holiday season has been as magical as mine. There are so many wonderful things to do in Annapolis this time of year, and this season my family and I decided to soak it all in.
Interestingly enough, the throughline was old places and long-standing traditions: the Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s Nutcracker performance (the Paca House backdrop was delightful!) and the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops Concert (including a 700 person singalong) at Maryland Hall, a wonderful old building that dates from the 1930s; the Colonial Players’ production of A Christmas Carol that is now a 44-year-old tradition in a mid-20th century building on East Street; a tour of the c.1774 Hammond-Harwood House and their silver exhibit and festive holiday decor; Christmas Eve services at St. Anne’s in the heart of the historic district, in a beautiful c.1858 church (though the congregation is much older); United States Naval Academy Christmas Concert in the Academy Chapel (c.1904), a favorite of the Flagg Beaux Arts complex; and of course our Colonial Yuletide at the William Paca House and Garden (our beloved 18th century house) and Midnight Madnessing throughout Downtown Annapolis with friends (featuring many buildings, many years old). These old places anchor our experiences. They provide a unique, historic setting to celebrate traditions and create lasting memories. I love it all.
As my connection with our historic town deepens, I am increasingly mindful of the importance of place, how it reminds us of where we came from and must be preserved for future generations. In contrast, I’m also mindful that we are living in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and virtual experiences. This reality is a reminder of the enduring importance of the work we do at Historic Annapolis – sharing real history and creating authentic experiences that connect people to our shared heritage in a way that artificial and virtual worlds cannot.
The places we experienced this holiday season are a tangible part of Annapolis’s history that provide a sense of permanence, stability, and connections that are meaningful, lasting and comforting. The many iconic buildings and streetscapes that serve as the backdrop for our magical holiday represent our architectural memory and identity. They are a part of our community, and hence, they are a part of us.
I’m really excited for 2026. I believe the national celebration of America’s 250th birthday will provide opportunities to feel more connected to our roots and to one another. At Historic Annapolis, we are building a calendar filled with engaging programs to celebrate the 250th all year long. This year we are also striving to open the One Martin Street property as a place for fellowship, for educational programming, for building community, and for fun. And 2026 marks our march to 2027, when we will be celebrating a major milestone for Historic Annapolis – our 75th birthday. Please join us as members, as sponsors, as museum-goers and as event participants to celebrate our community and our history.
With gratitude,
P.S. You can help us finish 2025 on an even higher note with a year-end gift to help us carry our work forward into 2026!
P.P.S. If you’ve already made a donation, please accept my heartfelt thanks for your generosity. Your support inspires others to do the same!