Our Impact

Through the preservation of our historic structures and nature environment and the use of powerful stories to educate and bring American history to life, we strive to foster a better understanding of the world today by providing a living link to America's history.

By working together with our partners, we aim to be a thriving community resource for Southern Maryland.

Education and Students

Historic Sotterley reaches nearly 5,000 children each year.

We offer robust and compelling educational programs and experiences that are Maryland State Department of Education approved. In an increasingly digital world, we offer students and teachers a "hands-on" day of discovery where they step out of their books and experience history the way they learn best - by sight, touch, smell, and shared experience.

Descendants Project

Historic Sotterley has an official registry of over 300 self-identified Descendants.

Our Descendants Project connects all descendants of Historic Sotterley, whether they descend from enslavers, the enslaved, workers, or allied families. Their participation, voices, and stories guide our interpretation of the site's history and help us reach our community on a new level.

Growing for Good

Historic Sotterley fights food insecurity by growing fresh produce to donate to local food banks and pantries.

Southern Maryland contains 3 tracts with low income and low access to groceries, according to the USDA. Our Growing for Good program keeps our historic fields in production and donates thousands of pounds of produce each year to local organizations to help fight hunger locally. This program is supported by volunteer help, keeping our community involved in solving food insecurity.

Community Outreach

Historic Sotterley serves and connects with almost 25,000 people annually.

Through in-person and virtual tours, programming, events and digital engagement, we not only educate our community but serve as a historical and cultural resource for them. 

Common Ground

Historic Sotterley brings people together to learn about the realities of our history while promoting understanding and healing.

With the aid of Descendant voices and stories, our Common Ground initiative connects with our community to have tough conversations surrounding history, discrimination, and our path forward to finding a common understanding for people of all backgrounds.

Impact Stories

Historic Sotterley Unveils Middle Passage Marker During Day of Unity and Healing

Hollywood, MD – Historic Sotterley, in collaboration with and Maryland Department of Transportation, proudly unveiled its official Middle Passage Marker during its Day of Unity and Healing event on Saturday, August 24th. Speaking at the unveiling were Gwen Bankins, Historic Sotterley Board of Trustees Vice…

Historic Sotterley Receives $48,000 for Research on the Dwellings of Enslaved People

Hollywood, MD – Historic Sotterley is honored to be one of 18 organizations to receive a grant from the France-Merrick Foundation in 2024. The $48,000 grant will support Historic Sotterley working alongside its Descendant community and research professionals on archaeological study, archival analysis, and oral…

Historic Sotterley and Descendants are Creating Connections

This fall our descendants continued to play an important role by sharing Sotterley and its stories with the community. In October, Board members Gwen Bankins and Jan Briscoe visited Asbury at the request of the senior living community, and their presentation “Beyond Color: the Power…

Historic Sotterley Partnerships with Purpose

In October 2021, Historic Sotterley descendants, Gwen Bankins, Angela Wilson, Donald Barber, Janice Briscoe, Gina Gilliam, and Elizabeth Cropp, and staff member, Jeanne Pirtle, participated in The Slave Dwelling Conference: Changing the Narrative. The Slave Dwelling Project was approached by the Howard County Lynching and Reconciliation,…

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