Sotterley

Art in the Gardens
2024-06-21 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
June 21, 2024 – Art in the gardens! Participants will meet at the gorgeous Sotterley Colonial Revival Gardens where we will explore, sketch flowers and plants, and then walk to the Barn to create a beautiful painting using watercolor pencils. Creation Guide Jami will provide assistance and instruction on using the watercolor pencils and will guide all in translating their garden sketches into farmable art.

$10 per person for non-members, $5 per person for members. Not a member yet? Sign up today!
Materials will be provided for all participants. This event is geared toward ages 6 and up.

Please note: Due to the heat wave, the indoor portion of this Friday’s Art in the Garden class has moved from the Warehouse to our Historic Barn, which has air-conditioning. Rest assured you will be able to stay cool while being creative!

Parents, please note that this is not a drop-off event and children are expected to have a parent or guardian with them at all times. Parents who would like to paint are welcome to purchase a regular ticket, or if you will just be accompanying your child you only need to pay our usual grounds fee.

Purchase tickets here!

This event is made possible by a grant from St. Mary’s Arts Council.

Clean the Bay Day - Cancelled!
2024-06-22 09:00 - 12:00 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
June 22, 2024 – After great consideration, tomorrow’s clean up day has been CANCELLED. Due to the weather forecast and heat warning for tomorrow, we have decided to cancel for the safety of our incredible volunteers.
We are looking to plan a make-up date for sometime later in the year, if possible. Please know how grateful we are to those who had signed up to help. We hope we can see you again soon!
Stay cool, stay safe, and have a wonderful weekend!

Come out to Historic Sotterley for a volunteer Clean the Bay event! Historic Sotterley and the Chesapeake Bay are both national treasures, and we want to keep it that way!
When trash and plastics make their way into the tributaries feeding the bay, they largely get trapped in the local waterways and break down into microplastics. Instead of washing out to the ocean, 95% of these plastics stay trapped in the Bay ecosystem, damaging the local habitat of crabs, oysters, and fish. The best way to combat the plastic pollution is to stop it before it breaks down in the water – and you can help!
On Saturday, June 22, from 9:00am to 12:00pm, Sotterley will be hosting a Clean the Bay Day for volunteers to help collect trash along the water fronts and across the property.
This volunteer opportunity is family-friendly. Anyone 5 years and older is invited to help, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to teach little ones a sense of community by helping to keep it clean and safe. Children learn by example.
In need of a corporate team project, a church team project, a family project, community service hours, a scout badge, something to do, then this is for you! No experience necessary, just the desire to help.
Please sign-up to help so that we know how many helping hands we have for the project. Plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time and check-in at the Farm Building to the right of the Visitor Center. We recommend hats, gloves, sunscreen, bug spray, and shoes and clothes you are not afraid to get dirty.

Art Inspired by Birds
2024-06-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
June 28th class- Art inspired by birds! Participants will meet at Sotterley’s historic Warehouse where we will discuss some of the colorful Maryland birds found in the area of Historic Sotterley. Creation Guide Jami will give some tips and show some FUN techniques to create pop-up cards and/or a small booklet made of materials including feathers and foliage. There will be resource materials provided to use for visual aids.

$10 per person for non-members, $5 per person for members. Not a member yet? Sign up today!
Materials will be provided for all participants. This event is geared toward ages 6 and up.

Parents, please note that this is not a drop-off event and children are expected to have a parent or guardian with them at all times. Parents who would like to paint are welcome to purchase a regular ticket, or if you will just be accompanying your child you only need to pay our usual grounds fee.

Purchase tickets here!

This event is made possible by a grant from St. Mary’s Arts Council.

Sotterley Presents: People & Perspectives with Merideth Taylor
2024-07-10 19:00 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
July 10, 2024 – Join us and author Merideth Taylor for a speaker event and book signing for her new book, “Making a Way out of No Way”. The photographs and stories in this book cover 150 years of slavery on tobacco plantations in Southern Maryland and the communities of men, women, and children who were subjected to this system. Merideth Taylor chose to largely avoid graphic depictions of the violence perpetrated on enslaved people to instead allow the reader to focus on the resilience, ingenuity, skills, and cultural strengths that enabled them to make a way out of no way. Merideth Taylor will discuss her motivations, insights, and journey to writing this book.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event and you can get them signed by Merideth!

This event is FREE and hybrid, meaning you can join us in-person or virtually. Registration is required.
In-person participants are welcome to join us for a pre-reception at 6:15 pm.

Register to attend In-Person here!
Register to attend virtually here!

Merideth M. Taylor is Professor Emerita of Theater and Dance at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and a founding member of the African and African Diaspora and Women Studies programs at the College. She is author of Listening in: Echoes and Artifacts from Maryland’s Mother County; co-editor of In Relentless Pursuit of an Education: African American Stories from a Century of Segregation; and screenwriter/director of the documentaries With All Deliberate Speed: One High School’s Story and Telly-Award-winning Talking and Walking Common Ground.

This event is made possible in part by a sponsorship from:

Specialty Tour - Medical History at Historic Sotterley: Herbs, Lancets, Bone Saws, Vaccinations, Antibiotics, Oh My!
2024-07-19 17:30 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
July 19, 2024 – What was it like to experience treatment of illness or injury in the past? How did the practice of medicine develop in our region? While touring the manor house, slave dwelling, and gardens, take the journey from medicinal herbs, blood-letting, patent medicines, lessons of sanitation learned during warfare, crude surgical techniques, and unsettling realities of medical research to the regulation of medical practice and development of effective prevention and treatment of deadly infections. Join docent Dr. Marcia Coe for a tour highlighting medical history as it relates to the people of Sotterley during 1699-1961.
The tour will be followed by a reception with wine, nibbles, and a Q&A.
Recommended for ages 16 & older. Walking and standing required. The historic house is not ADA compliant.
Advance reservations required – please no walk-ins. Tour is limited to 18 people.
It is advised to arrive approximately 15 minutes prior to your tour. Please proceed to the Warehouse to Check-in upon arrival.

Purchase Tickets Here

Architectural Mysteries of the Manor House - Specialty Tour
2024-08-02 17:30 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
August 2, 2024 – If these walls could talk, imagine what they’d tell us about the history of Sotterley and the people that lived in Manor House. Join us for this specialty tour led by Sotterley’s Interpretive Programs Manager and a presentation by local architect Jim Ritter uncovering a series of architectural mysteries. Discover how the manor house was transformed from 1703 until the early 20th century. Explore how the manor house’s transformation was centered around the history of slavery at Sotterley. Along the way learn about passageways that once connected rooms and the manor house’s post in ground foundation.
The tour will be followed by a reception with wine, nibbles, and a Q&A.
Recommended for ages 16 & older. Walking and standing required. The historic house is not ADA compliant.
Advance reservations required – please no walk-ins. Tour is limited to 18 people.
It is advised to arrive approximately 15 minutes prior to your tour. Please proceed to the Warehouse to Check-in upon arrival.

Purchase Tickets Here

Sotterley Presents: People and Perspectives with Dean Newman
2024-08-07 19:00 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
August 7, 2024 – Nature photography is not the serene, life-prolonging experience most magazine articles say it is. In fact, it’s anything but the “Zen” experience they espouse. Come listen to Dean Newman, a nature photographer from our area, tell the “behind-the-scenes” stories of the images you see in publications. Dean has been bitten, scratched, kicked, spat on and along with any other ways birds, animals and reptiles can injure you, all in the name of “getting the shot”. You’ll never look at another magazine photograph the same.

This event is FREE and hybrid, meaning you can join us in-person or virtually. Registration is required.
In-person participants are welcome to join us for a pre-reception at 6:15 pm.

Register Here to Attend In-Person
Register Here to Attend Virtually

Dean Newman is an internationally published photographer who specializes in wildlife and nature images. Living in Southern Maryland, Dean grew up on a peanut and cattle farm in North Florida. Since leaving that farm he has lived across Europe in Iceland, Italy, Spain and Portugal. Dean is a retired Navy veteran who spent much of his career in aviation and, thanks to a very understanding wife, Sandy, now travels 20+ weeks a year in the U.S., Africa and South America chasing the natural world.

This event is made possible in part by a sponsorship from:

Day of Unity and Healing: Together We Can Make A Difference
2024-08-24 09:00 - 16:30 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
August 24, 2024 – Day of Unity and Healing this year will focus on Descendants, historic sites, and communities working together to preserve and interpret our history transparently. We will have a variety of organizations present to increase awareness that in order to have a shared success we must learn from each other and work together for a shared success. Each year, the vision of Day of Unity and Healing is different because the needs are constantly changing. In order to heal we must have a conversation and share. Join us to experience history through different eyes this year. One of the first steps to healing is understanding the truth about our history and building bridges of understanding to move forward and create a better community and country.
“It starts with every individual being open to listening and learning. We can’t change our history, but we can reflect, learn, and heal to build a better tomorrow.”
– Gwen Bankins and Jan Briscoe Descendants, Board Trustee Historic Sotterley

This event is FREE. Registration is encouraged, but not required.

Register here

Please note that the schedule below is still in development and may change slightly as we get closer to the event.
9:00 am

Historic Farm Wagon Tour (Reservation only, register here)

10:05 – 11:05 am Opening Ceremony with guest speakers
11:15 – 11:35 am Middle Passage Marker Unveiling
11:45 am– 12:30 pm Dedication of Sacred Space
12:30 – 2:45 pm

Sotterley Descendants Portrait Project unveiling
Regional Historic sites Barn Displays
Historical Documentary Quilt Displays
Open House Tours
Blacksmith demonstrations
Meet the authors and book signings
Holistic Health screenings and events
Uncovering History: Archeological updates : Historic St. Mary’s City and Historic Sotterley
Food Trucks: Dan D’s Catering and The Salted Scoop
Historic Farm Wagon Tour (First come, first serve)

3:00 pm Living History : Underground Railroad Month Kick Off
3:30 – 4:30 pm Music

Check out our food truck menus for the event!

Sotterley on the Patuxent - Specialty Tour
2024-09-06 17:30 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
September 6, 2024 – From rolling hogsheads and whistling steamboats to roaring jets overhead, the Sotterley on the Patuxent specialty tour will cover how Sotterley’s location along the Patuxent River was key to establishing successful commerce and communication from the time of its very beginning until the close of the steamboat era. We will explore various aspects of the Patuxent River’s impact on the inhabitants of Sotterley, starting with the Piscataway Indian settlements and log canoes, through early English settlements and sailing vessels bringing goods and enslaved Africans, to Commodore Joshua Barney’s heroic flotilla during the War of 1812, to well-established manor communities serviced by gracious steamboats, to the crabbing and oystering industry, and finally the location of a major naval aircraft testing and training facility. The Patuxent River has a rich history. As the only Tidewater plantation in Maryland open to the public, Sotterley offers an ideal location for gaining in-depth knowledge of the important role of the river in our region’s history.
The tour will be followed by a reception with wine, nibbles, and a Q&A.
Recommended for ages 16 & older. Walking and standing required. The historic house is not ADA compliant.
Advance reservations required – please no walk-ins. Tour is limited to 18 people.
It is advised to arrive approximately 15 minutes prior to your tour. Please proceed to the Warehouse to Check-in upon arrival.

Purchase Tickets Here

Pursuit of Freedom Focused Tours
2024-09-13 - 2024-09-15 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
September 13 to September 15, 2024 – In honor of International Underground Railroad Month, Historic Sotterley is offering tours two days of tours with a special focus on The Pursuit of Freedom at Historic Sotterley, and will cover how struggles continued after the Civil War. Tours will be offered Friday through Saturday at 10:30, 11:30, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 and on Sunday at Noon, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00.

Historic Sotterley’s guided tours allow visitors an intimate perspective of the lives and cultures of those that owned, lived, and worked at Historic Sotterley, enslaved or free, over three centuries of American history. The tour is on the ground floor spaces of our historic Manor House and Slave Dwelling and is approximately 45-60 minutes in length. The 18th Century Manor House doorways may not accommodate all wheelchairs or walkers in some rooms of the house, and reaching the Slave Dwelling requires traveling down an uneven dirt road. Please call in advance for full access details.

Birding the Fields & Trails of Historic Sotterley
2024-09-14 08:00 - 11:00 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
September 14, 2024 – Join us for an excursion to this scenic and historic Patuxent River property, sponsored jointly by SMAS and Historic Sotterley. Bald Eagles, migrant songbirds and lingering meadowlarks and sparrows can be found via Sotterley’s trails and river views.
The walk starts promptly at 8:00 am, please arrive 10-15 minutes prior in the parking lot in front of the Visitor Center. Please bring with you binoculars and a field guide (don’t worry if you don’t have). Suggested to wear comfortable walking shoes and attire weather appropriate. For all levels of birdwatchers.
Register Here!
In preparation for the walk, please download the Merlin app from Cornell University for your phone and install the US: Southeast Bird Pack. Both downloads are free and you won’t get spammed with email. It’s a GREAT app and you’ll be glad you downloaded it.
Directions: From Rt. 235, go north on Sotterley Road; turn right through gates then head towards the Historic Sotterley Visior Center, we meet in the parking lot.
Watch our website and Facebook for updates on this event (especially in case of inclement weather).

Wildlife Wandering
2024-09-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
September 14, 2024 – Wander the fields, forests, and shores of Sotterley with Master Naturalist and natural resources management teacher Dorothy Birch, learning to observe and identify all of the cool critters and powerful plants that live in our amazing Southern Maryland ecosystems. We will focus on drawing and description in the free nature notebooks that will be provided. All ages welcome, activities will focus on those five years old and up.

$5/person, registration is required. Recommended for ages 5 and up, but all are welcome!

Register Here!

This is a rain or shine event. Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to start time and proceed to the Warehouse to check-in (visible from parking area). Suggested to wear comfortable walking shoes and weather appropriate attire.
Please note that we are not a drop-off site! Parents are required purchase a ticket and to stay with their children.

This event is in partnership with Southern Maryland Folklife Center.

Fabulous Fish & Friends
2024-09-14 13:00 - 16:00 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
September 14, 2024 – Explore the water ecosystem at Sotterley with Master Naturalist and natural resources management teacher Dorothy Birch. We will peek under the waves and use nets to catch, observe, and identify fish and other aquatic critters, extending the notes in the free nature notebooks that will be provided. Come ready to get wet and hold some fun and fabulous fish! All ages welcome, activities will focus on those five years old and up.

$5/person, registration is required. Recommended for ages 5 and up, but all are welcome!

Register Here!

This is a rain or shine event. Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to start time and proceed to the Warehouse to check-in (visible from parking area). Suggested to wear comfortable walking shoes and weather appropriate attire.
Please note that we are not a drop-off site! Parents are required purchase a ticket and to stay with their children.

This event is in partnership with Southern Maryland Folklife Center.

Sotterley Presents: People & Perspectives with Dan Dawson
2024-09-18 19:00 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
Dan will spend an evening discussing his family’s farming history from decades as tobacco-centric to small grains and currently to bourbon production. Topics will include the impact of the development of NAS Patuxent River on the farming community and his family, the tobacco buyout, the rise in popularity of bourbon – America’s spirit and the history of southern Maryland as bourbon’s true birthplace. For those of legal age, samples of Tobacco Barn’s currently released products will be made available as well as the opportunity to purchase bottles with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Historic Sotterley.
This event is FREE and hybrid, meaning you can join us in-person or virtually. Registration is required.
In-person participants are welcome to join us for a pre-reception at 6:15 pm.
Register to attend In-Person
Register to attend Virtually
Dan Dawson retired after a 39-year career in the defense industry, having risen from an entry-level engineering role at Veda Incorporated to a senior executive position at KBR. His career was largely spent with the same company through various acquisitions. Before his defense career, Dan made a mark in ethanol fuel production during high school and briefly afterward, becoming the third licensed fuel ethanol distiller in 1980. After a long hiatus, he re-entered the distillation world in 2014 by co-founding Tobacco Barn Distillery, LLC on his family farm in Hollywood, Maryland, which has been recognized as the Top Farm Distillery in the U.S. Dan and his wife, Susan, who is also a distiller at Tobacco Barn, have two adult children.
This event is made possible in part by a sponsorship from:

Moments in Nature Art Exhibition
2024-09-29 - 2024-10-27 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
September 29 to October 27, 2024 – Come see Joi Lowe’s new art exhibition, “Moments in Nature: Acknowledging spiritual connections to the landscape of Historic Sotterley”. The exhibit features artworks created by Joi using resources from Historic Sotterley, as well as special contributions from artists Pamela Callen, Mark Boneham, and Damien Wilkinson. Joi’s exhibit aims to reflect her emotional and spiritual connection to Historic Sotterley’s complex history and to inspire viewers to engage with the past.
The exhibition will be open every Friday through Saturday in October. Please check in at the Visitor Center first to pay for your $5 grounds pass!

Moments in Nature Art Exhibit Open Reception
2024-09-29 15:00 - 18:00 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
September 29, 2024 – Join us for an open reception of Joi Lowe’s new art exhibition, “Moments in Nature: Acknowledging spiritual connections to the landscape of Historic Sotterley”. The exhibit will feature artworks created by Joi using resources from Historic Sotterley, as well as special contributions from artists Pamela Callen, Mark Boneham, and Damien Wilkinson. Joi’s exhibit aims to reflect her emotional and spiritual connection to Historic Sotterley’s complex history and to inspire viewers to engage with the past. The open reception will begin promptly at 3:00 p.m. with a tour of Historic Sotterley, concluding in the warehouse where Executive Director Nancy Easterling and Interpretive Programs Coordinator Katherine Humphries will provide opening remarks and acknowledgements as guests view the artwork.

Registration is encouraged.

Register here!

The Civil Rights Act in Southern Maryland: Yesterday, Today, and for Tomorrow
2024-10-01 19:00 - 20:30 | St. Mary’s College of Maryland Dodge Performing Arts Center, 47855 College Dr, St. Mary's City, MD, 20868, United States
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act and to coincide with Governor Wes Moore’s proclamation of 2024 as Maryland’s Year of Civil Rights, the Center for the Study of Democracy, Historic Sotterley, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and Historic St. Mary’s City will host a panel discussion titled “The Civil Rights Act in Southern Maryland: Yesterday, Today, and for Tomorrow.” This program will feature distinguished panelists from academia, law, activist and advocacy circles and the museum studies community from the region to explore the legacy of the Civil Rights Act in Southern Maryland. We hope to stimulate dialogue, enhance learning, forge partnerships and promote civic engagement within the Southern Maryland community.

This event will take place in-person at St. Mary’s College of Maryland in the Nancy R. and Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center – Concert Hall
47855 College Dr, St Marys City, MD 20686

The panel will feature:
MODERATOR:
Kelsey R. Bush, Community Affairs Liasion for St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Mr. Bush is also the President of the Board of Directors for Walden Wise, the Secretary for Historic Sotterley, the Chair of the St. Mary’s County Human Relation Commission, and a Founding Board member of the Foundation Board for the Patuxent River Test Museum.
SPEAKERS:
Chuck Holden, Professor at St. Mary’s College of Maryland since 1999. His books include: In the Great Maelstrom: Conservatives in Post-Civil War South Carolina (2002) and The New Southern University: Academic Freedom and Liberalism at UNC (2011). He is also a co-author on Republican Populist: Spiro Agnew and the Origin of Donald Trump’s America (2019). His op-eds have appeared in The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, The Charlotte Observer, the Des Moines Register. and the History News Network.
Michael Kent,Historian. He began his career as an Historian by collecting his family’s oral histories and then expanded his research to include all of Calvert County’s Black history. He put that research in a book titled “Mulatto, the Black history of Calvert County”. Michael served as a Lt. for the Judge Advocate General Corps of the U.S. Naval Reserves and as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Baltimore and Prince George’s Counties in Maryland. Michael was appointed by Governor O’Mally and Governor Hogan to serve on the Maryland Commission for African American History and culture.
Maya Davis, Director of the Riversdale House Museum, the former 19th Century Plantation home in Prince George’s County. Ms. Davis, representing Prince George’s County, also serves as Chair of The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture. She was also the Research Archivist and Legislative Liaison at the Maryland State Archives. Some of her recent projects include the Adam Francis Plummer Portrait Commission, Installation of the Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman Statue at the Maryland State House, Annapolis Port Marker project, and the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Park and Visitor Center.
Chief Mark Tayac, 29th generation of hereditary chiefs of the Piscataway Indian Nation. Mark Tayac and the Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers carry on the long-standing traditions, culture and heritage of their Indigenous ancestors. From Tayac Territory, (Port Tobacco, MD), Mark Tayac travels with the Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers presenting a colorful, educational and entertaining pow wow-style campus event featuring American Indian Dance, Drum & Song. Mark has worked tirelessly to ensure the recognition of the tribe in the state of Maryland and worked with federal authorities to repatriate material culture and human remains belonging to the Piscataway.
Dr. Janice Walthour, a retired educator, worked in St. Mary’s County Public Schools for 36 years as a teacher, resource teacher, assistant principal, principal and coordinator of academic intervention programs. As a political activist, she served as voter registration chair for the historic event of electing Joseph Lee Somerville, Sheriff of St. Mary’s County. Dr. Walthour is past president and currently a member of the Unified Committee for Afro American Contributions (UCAC). Walthour has been awarded numerous citations for professional and community services.
A pre-event reception with light refreshments will take place at 6 p.m. in the lobby of the Dodge PAC.

Registration information

The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required.
Register Here

Sotterley Presents: People & Perspectives with Ralph Eshelman
2024-10-16 19:00 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
October 16, 2024 – “It starts as a whisper near the four corners of Maryland, where Montgomery, Frederick, Howard and Carroll counties converge. It’s little more than a meandering brook winding its way through farmland, but when it completes its 110-mile journey to Southern Maryland, the Patuxent River runs 120 feet deep, reaches two miles wide and is the source of billions of dollars in industry, research and recreation.” – The Calver Recorder, June 7, 2020

Ralph Eshelman, specialist in maritime history, joins us to discuss the Patuxent River and highlight some lesser-known facts about the longest river fully contained within Maryland. Smack dab in the middle of Earth Science Week, this speaker event is perfect for learning about and appreciating one of our most important local resources.

This event is FREE and hybrid, meaning you can join us in-person or virtually. Registration is required.
In-person participants are welcome to join us for a pre-reception at 6:15 pm.

Register to attend In-Person
Register to attend Virtually

Dr. Ralph Eshelman is a distinguished specialist in maritime history, particularly related to the Chesapeake Bay and the War of 1812, as well as geology and vertebrate paleontology. He earned his Ph.D. in 1974 from the University of Michigan, following earlier studies at SUNY Stony Brook and the University of Iowa. From 1975 to 2005, he served as a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. Eshelman has held leadership roles in various professional and civic organizations, including the Council of American Maritime Museums and The Nature Conservancy. His extensive research and fieldwork have taken him across continents and major global expeditions, reflecting his broad expertise and active involvement in scientific and historical communities.

This event is made possible in part by a sponsorship from:

Legends, Lore, and More - Specialty Tour
2024-10-25 17:30 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
October 25, 2024 – Just in time for Halloween – Pirates, unmarked graves, and ghosts-oh my! Join us for an evening tour with local historian Sam Baldwin exploring the grounds and learning more about the myths, legends, and lore of Sotterley! Don’t be surprised if along the way you discover that truth can be stranger than fiction.
The tour will be followed by a reception with wine, nibbles, and a Q&A.
Recommended for ages 16 & older. Walking and standing required. The historic house is not ADA compliant.
Advance reservations required – please no walk-ins. Tour is limited to 18 people.
It is advised to arrive approximately 15 minutes prior to your tour. Please proceed to the Warehouse to Check-in upon arrival.

Purchase Tickets Here

Legends, Lore, and More - Specialty Tour
2024-10-26 17:00 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
October 26, 2024 – Just in time for Halloween – Pirates, unmarked graves, and ghosts-oh my! Join us for an evening tour with local historian Sam Baldwin exploring the grounds and learning more about the myths, legends, and lore of Sotterley! Don’t be surprised if along the way you discover that truth can be stranger than fiction.
The tour will be followed by a reception with wine, nibbles, and a Q&A.
Recommended for ages 16 & older. Walking and standing required. The historic house is not ADA compliant.
Advance reservations required – please no walk-ins. Tour is limited to 18 people.
It is advised to arrive approximately 15 minutes prior to your tour. Please proceed to the Warehouse to Check-in upon arrival.

Purchase Tickets Here

Legends, Lore, and More - Specialty Tour
2024-10-27 17:00 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
October 27, 2024 – Just in time for Halloween – Pirates, unmarked graves, and ghosts-oh my! Join us for an evening tour with local historian Sam Baldwin exploring the grounds and learning more about the myths, legends, and lore of Sotterley! Don’t be surprised if along the way you discover that truth can be stranger than fiction.
The tour will be followed by a reception with wine, nibbles, and a Q&A.
Recommended for ages 16 & older. Walking and standing required. The historic house is not ADA compliant.
Advance reservations required – please no walk-ins. Tour is limited to 18 people.
It is advised to arrive approximately 15 minutes prior to your tour. Please proceed to the Warehouse to Check-in upon arrival.

Purchase Tickets Here

Sotterley Presents: People & Perspectives with the Cast & Crew of "Grandma's Hands"
2024-11-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
November 13, 2024 – Join us for a screening of short film “Grandma’s Hands”, followed by a panel discussion with members of the cast and crew about the importance of the film, their inspirations, and how it was made. “Grandma’s Hands” celebrates Southern Maryland’s agriculture and food heritage by taking the viewers along to six family kitchens and sharing the recipes passed down through generations. The film was funded through a Maryland Heritage Areas Authority grant and was originally premiered at a Preservation Maryland and Southern Maryland National Heritage Area event earlier this year. Panelists will include Executive Producers Lucille Walker and Craig Sewell, Produce Lena McBean, film crew members Jim McBean and Chris Walsh, and film stars Tiffany Barber, Franklin Robinson, and Teandra Thompson. More panelists may be announced.

This event is FREE and hybrid, meaning you can join us in-person or virtually. Registration is required.
In-person participants are welcome to join us for a pre-reception at 6:15 pm.

Register to Attend In-Person
Register to Attend Virtually

Craig Sewell is the Economic Development and Program Director for the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC). The Southern Maryland Meats (SMM) program is under his watch as is building the infrastructure to create a seamless farm to kitchen supply chain for the region. A successful business owner, professional chef and restauranteur, Sewell brought a wealth of experience and entrepreneurship to SMADC. His café in Annapolis was for 16 years in the forefront of the ‘Buy Local’ movement as one of the first restaurants in the area to source locally and develop a conduit for his customers to buy local produce and meats through the restaurant’s CSA program. Former Governor Martin O’Malley recognized Sewell’s contributions to Maryland farms by awarding him The Smart Green and Growing Governor’s Excellence in Supporting Maryland’s Farmer’s and Agriculture Award. A graduate of Harvard University with a AB in Economics, he was also the founding president of the Annapolis Sustainable Business Alliance and is a Master Gardener.

Lucille W. Walker spearheaded the initiative to designate Southern Maryland as a National Heritage Area, with legislation sponsored by Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Representative Steny Hoyer, passed by Congress in December 2022 and signed into law by President Biden in January 2023. The Southern Maryland National Heritage Area was officially launched on May 25, 2023, with Governor Wes Moore as the keynote speaker. As executive director, Walker is recognized for her strategic and entrepreneurial management, partnership building, and motivational leadership. She holds several significant appointments and has received numerous awards, including the 2024 Preservation Service Award, the 2023 Best of Maryland Leadership Award, and the 2022 Visionary Impact Award.

More bios to come.

This event is made possible in part by a sponsorship from:

Winter Wonderland Wreathmaking Workshops
2024-12-07 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
December 7, 2024 – Have you tried DIY holiday décor projects before, but just couldn’t seem to pull it off? Great news, the Sotterley Garden Guild is offering workshops on Saturday, December 7th to share their expertise! Only 16 participants per session and each session is 1 1/2 hours long.
Various times throughout the day available for you to choose from: 8:30, 10:30, 1:00 & 3:00
Make this Christmas event part of your family tradition!
Please Note: Bring your own gloves and clippers for the workshops – other materials to be provided. Workshops will be held in Historic Sotterley Maintenance Building. Guests are asked to arrive promptly for your workshop time and to proceed directly to the Maintenance Building across from the Visitor Center to check in. Visitors are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather and to wear foot gear suitable for the conditions as the site is kept rustic, although the workshop will be held indoors.
If you experience any trouble making your reservation for a workshop, please call the office at 301-373-2280 (9 am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday) and we will be happy to help.

Reserve your seat here!

Sotterley Presents: People & Perspectives Panelist Discussion with Sotterley Descendant Community
2025-02-26 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual
February 26, 2025 – “Deeply Rooted: A Shared Journey Through Restorative Genealogy” will focus on the healing that can come through uncovering our shared and respective histories. As we learn more about our own history, we can become more aware of the journey that others are on. Members from Historic Sotterley’s Descendant Community will engage in a dialogue regarding balancing the pain associated with the lives of our ancestors while empowering growth and understanding for present and future generations. By sharing their genealogical journeys descendants help us to develop a deeper understanding of the past.

This event is a FREE virtual event. Registration is required.
Register Here

Panelists:
Gwendoline Bankins, a St. Mary’s County native, is known for her love of community and her passion for raising awareness and restoring hope through over three decades of local and state volunteer outreach programs on how to communicate on social and health related issues on behalf of children, youth, and families, and a criminal justice advocate for victims of crime. Gwen is the Vice-President of the Board of Trustees for Historic Sotterley, Chair of Preservation, Restoration and Interpretation, Chair of Day of Unity and Healing and a direct descendant of the Kane family who were enslaved at Sotterley in the 19th century with her first visit to the site in the late 1970’s. Ms. Bankins is a steering committee member of the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area and a steering committee member of Dismantling Racism and Privilege in Southern Maryland, member of the Southern Maryland Equity in History Coalition. Gwen is a Chaplain with St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, a Master Chaplain, The Maryland Area Representative, and a member of the Spiritual Oversight Committee for the International Conference of Police Chaplains which serves 38 countries and all 50 states and U.S. territories. Gwen retired from Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative’s Engineering and Operations Department.

Samuel Baldwin, founder and senior partner at The Law Offices of Baldwin, Briscoe & Steinmetz, P.C., has practiced family law for over 20 years in Southern Maryland. Raised in Baltimore, he attended St. Paul’s School for Boys, the University of Virginia, and earned his J.D. from the University of Baltimore in 1984. Throughout his career, Mr. Baldwin has gained extensive legal experience through various clerkships, internships, and positions in prominent law offices before establishing his own practice in 1988. He is admitted to practice in several courts, including the Maryland Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Baldwin is also actively involved in numerous professional associations, community organizations, and volunteer activities, including coaching youth soccer and serving on several advisory boards.

Jerome Spears, Native of Baltimore, Maryland, earned Geography degrees from Morgan State University & the University of Hawaii & over the years, has used his formal training & other life experiences to champion the cause of uncovering & preserving his family’s narrative & history (going back many generations). He is an Historic Sotterley & Susquehanna Plantation descendant, as well as a (Georgetown) GU272 relative, who in 2016, authored a manuscript entitled “I’VE GOT YOUR BACK”, where he chronicled his eight linear ancestral families (in southern Maryland) – rising out from slavery to freedom & beyond. In 2023 he was a featured panelist at the inaugural stakeholders Descendants of Slavery Empowerment Conference at the National Museum of African American History & Culture, in Washington, D.C., & is also featured in two (award winning) short-film documentaries, the first being “Talking and Walking Common Ground”, the second entitled: “FINDING US”, as well as a third project entitled: “The Story of Camp Stanton”. He has extensively used DNA (including “Genetic Visual Phasing”) & other advanced methods to find & then successfully contact distant relatives in Africa & other places around the world.

Rev. Danté Eubanks, a native of Cincinnati and a 1992 Colerain High School graduate, now resides in Leonardtown, Maryland, with his family. A United States Navy veteran, Rev. Eubanks was licensed to preach at 20 and has ministered in various locations, eventually founding New Covenant Christian Worship Center in 2014. A history enthusiast and genealogist, he is active in numerous historical societies. Married to Carrie Rowe, they have ten children and three grandchildren. Rev. Eubanks is deeply committed to his faith and family, believing that “a family that prays together stays together.”

(Tentative) Kelsey R.M. Bush, a native of Lexington Park, Maryland, is the Community Affairs Liaison for St. Mary’s College of Maryland and has a diverse background in public service and community involvement. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. Before his current role, Mr. Bush served as the Interim Chief Diversity Officer at St. Mary’s College and worked for St. Mary’s County Government for 20 years, developing youth initiatives and addressing various community issues. He holds leadership positions in several organizations, including Walden Wise and the Historic Sotterley, and has been appointed to state commissions by former governors. Mr. Bush lives in California, Maryland, with his wife Catherine, their two children, and two cats.

St. Mary's County History Day
2025-03-08 | MD
March 8, 2025 – St. Mary’s County History Day is a local contest affiliated with Maryland History Day and National History Day. It is a district-level contest for middle and high school students to do in-depth research and create unique projects about each year’s theme in one of five categories: paper, exhibit, documentary, website, or performance. It is a chance for students to develop critical skills that they will use throughout their schooling and careers, and winners of the district contest will advance to the state-level contest.
St. Mary’s County History Day is brought to you by Historic Sotterley, in partnership with St. Mary’s County Library and Maryland Humanities.

Learn more about National History Day and register your student on our History Day website!

Contest Date: Saturday, March 8th, 2025
Location: Leonardtown Public Library

Deadlines
Registration Opens: October 16, 2024
Registration Closes: March 1, 2025
Project Submissions Due: March 1, 2025
Dates
Regional Contest Day: March 8, 2025
State Contest Day: May 3, 2025
National Contest Day: June 8-12, 2025

Sotterley Presents: People & Perspectives with Anna Carneal-Davis
2025-03-19 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual
March 19, 2025 – What happens when you find two runaway ads, 16 years apart, that describe a convict servant with the same name, nationality, trade, and a physical description too alike to ignore?

Anna Carneal-Davis will present her research methodology, tracking one man’s journey through Britain’s transportation system leading up to the American Revolution. The case study will illuminate the system of convict servitude in colonial America and pinpoint records in England, Maryland, and Virginia that help illustrate an underrepresented portion of history.

This is a FREE virtual event. Registration is required.

Register Here!

Anna Carneal-Davis is the Library Genealogy Associate at Thomas Balch Library, a local history and genealogy library in Leesburg, Virginia. She earned her M.A. in Applied History from George Mason University and her bachelor’s at Longwood University. Carneal-Davis has devoted over a decade to the public history field, working at historic sites, museums, and libraries. Her professional career enables her to explore a wide range of topics, and help others identify record sets best suited to their research.

Spring Break Activities
2025-04-14 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-04-15 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-04-16 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-04-17 10:30 - 12:00 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
Historic Sotterley, Southern Maryland Folklife Center, St. Mary’s County Public Library, and local artist Jami Faith are partnering to bring a week of FREE activities during Spring Break to keep kids active and engaged in learning while having fun on their days off. Each day is a different activity for your family to enjoy.

Registration is required to make sure we acquire enough supplies for each activity. The registration link is below and is the same for all days – while registering you can select which days you’ll be attending. Please register once per family group. Parents/Guardians will be required to stay with children throughout the event and are welcome to participate as supplies allow.

Register Here!

NOTICE
Due to higher than anticipated interest, registration for our Spring Break Activities has closed early. We deeply appreciate all of your support and apologize for any inconvenience. We will have more events popping up throughout the year with our partners at the St. Mary’s County Library, Southern Maryland Folklife Center, and local artist Jami Faith, so please keep an eye on our calendar and socials for additional information. Thank you and we hope you have a wonderful, educational, and fun Spring Break!

FULL, Registration closed Monday, April 14 – Birds, Bees, Butterflies and You
Join us for a Nature Walk and Citizen Science Adventure, a fun partnership between Historic Sotterley and St. Mary’s County Library! Explore the beauty of nature on a guided walk with one of our local experts. Afterward, head to the Mobile Library to discover the Library’s Citizen Science Kits to learn how you can contribute to real-world science from your own backyard. End the day with a relaxing stroll through the Colonial Garden, observing pollinators at work and putting your new Citizen Science skills to work!
Perfect for nature lovers, future scientists, and families—don’t miss out on this exciting, hands-on adventure!

FULL, Registration closed Tuesday, April 15 – Hands-On with the History of Clay Pots
Step back in time at Historic Sotterley and discover the history of pottery and clay, then build your own clay pot to paint and take home!
In partnership with Historic Sotterley, families will learn how clay pots were crafted and used in the past. The St. Mary’s County Library will provide materials and guide children as they hand-build their own clay pots and decorate them with naturally pigmented paints. This hands-on program blends history and creativity for a memorable family experience!

FULL, Registration closed Wednesday, April 16 – Nature Sketching Around Historic Sotterley
Future Botanists, Scientists, Gardeners, Naturalists…
Come meet up at the barn with a representative of Historic Sotterley and Creation Guide Gramma Jami as we take you on a nature walk. You will be given a small blank notebook with which to take notes and do some sketching of the wonders that abound all around us. Sotterley Representative will help with what we see, and Gramma Jami will help you with your journal, and then we will return to the barn to add color to our sketches with various provided tools.

FULL, Registration closed Thursday, April 17 – Growing for Good, Growing for All
Help Farmer Joe prep and plant fruits and vegetables for our Growing for Good program. Growing for Good helps fight food insecurity in Southern Maryland by growing fresh produce right here in Sotterley’s fields and donates it to local food pantries and soup kitchens for families in need. Help your neighbors while learning how to grow your own food! At the end of the day, take home your own planted seed so you can grow food at home.

FULL, Registration closed Friday, April 18 – First Aid Safety
Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department will be visiting to give families a lesson in first aid! Help your family learn critical skills to help them in an emergency and give you more peace of mind. These are the building blocks they’ll use to navigate situations safely for the rest of their lives.
