May is a time for pride and reflection as we remember Memorial Day, celebrate Moms and the Blue Angels, and commemorate Preservation Month. Our 52nd annual Mother’s Day plant sale was simply wonderful, and each year I am reminded of the incredible spirit of volunteerism that makes this annual tradition so successful. Memorial Day carried special meaning this year with a heightened sense of patriotism accompanying the nation’s celebration of the semiquincentennial. On that day, many of us paused to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
Throughout the month we hosted several large groups of students on field trips as well as a few special events: relaunch of an initiative from decades past to bring together young friends of Historic Annapolis; a series of living history experiences along Pinkney Street that showcased diverse stories of our past; and a small gathering of supporters to learn about a new object on display at the Paca house — a reproduction livery suit typically worn in the 18th century by enslaved men, like Denby, who was William Paca’s personal valet.
Last year for Preservation Month a few of us at HA reflected upon ‘what’s our why?’ – the deeper meaning behind the work that we do. This year I have been thinking about the Annapolis 250’s call for ‘250 Voices’ to share what the ‘pursuit of happiness’ means to each of us. For many respondents, it means freedom, liberty, and justice, with which I heartily agree. I also think it means being a part of a thriving community and actively engaging in civic life.
To that point, a highlight of my month of May was a day-long convening of the HA Board of Trustees as part of an ongoing strategic planning process. I promise it was not as boring as it sounds! Our Trustees are a dynamic group of individuals who are heavily invested in HA (think time, talent, and treasure) and in guiding the strategic direction of our organization. Together, we engaged in deep discussions about the meaning of our work, how we contribute to Annapolis as a thriving community, and provide a forum to actively engage in civic life. Their partnership and leadership continue to strengthen our impact and inspire our work moving forward.
And then there was the Preservation Month Challenge. A generous supporter matched contributions in May dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000, and we are proud to announce that we almost doubled that goal! Including some large last-minute donations, we raised $49,506 (plus the $25K match). That’s over $74,500 to support our mission. Thank you to all who donated! We truly value every gift, large or small. With your help, we make meaningful impacts together.
The month of June promises to be equally engaging, with Paca Girlfriends, Juneteenth and Pride commemorations, and Opera in the garden. We invite you to be a part of the thriving HA community and, as always, are deeply grateful for your support.
