Sotterley

Legends & Lore Specialty Tour
2025-10-18 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
October 18, 2025 – Forbidden love, gambling debt, and murder… Explore the unconfirmed (but oh so fun!) legends and lore of Historic Sotterley with historian Sam Baldwin and actors Jennifer Goddard, Luke Rowe, and Michael Blackwell. This specialty tour starts with a fascinating presentation followed by a guided tour through the manor house with thrilling acted scenes. Celebrate the dramatics of the Halloween season with us!
Prior to the tour, you can enjoy a reception in our beautiful Historic Barn with refreshments and nibbles.
Recommended for ages 16 & older. Walking and standing required. The historic house is not ADA compliant.
Advance reservations required – please no walk-ins. Each tour time is limited to 20 attendees. Tour times are available at 6:00 pm, 6:45 pm, 7:30 pm, and 8:15 pm.
It is advised to arrive approximately 15 minutes prior to your tour. Please proceed to the Historic Barn to check-in upon arrival.

Buy Tickets for Friday, October 17
Buy Tickets for Saturday, October 18
Buy Tickets for Friday, October 24
Buy Tickets for Saturday, October 24

Legends & Lore Specialty Tour
2025-10-24 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
October 24, 2025 – Forbidden love, gambling debt, and murder… Explore the unconfirmed (but oh so fun!) legends and lore of Historic Sotterley with historian Sam Baldwin and actors Jennifer Goddard, Luke Rowe, and Michael Blackwell. This specialty tour starts with a fascinating presentation followed by a guided tour through the manor house with thrilling acted scenes. Celebrate the dramatics of the Halloween season with us!
Prior to the tour, you can enjoy a reception in our beautiful Historic Barn with refreshments and nibbles.
Recommended for ages 16 & older. Walking and standing required. The historic house is not ADA compliant. The tour will last about an hour.
Advance reservations required – please no walk-ins. Each tour time is limited to 20 attendees. Tour times are available at 6:00 pm, 6:45 pm, 7:30 pm, and 8:15 pm.
It is advised to arrive approximately 15 minutes prior to your tour. Please proceed to the Historic Barn to check-in upon arrival.

Buy Tickets for Friday, October 17
Buy Tickets for Saturday, October 18
Buy Tickets for Friday, October 24
Buy Tickets for Saturday, October 24

Legends & Lore Specialty Tour
2025-10-25 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
October 25, 2025 – Forbidden love, gambling debt, and murder… Explore the unconfirmed (but oh so fun!) legends and lore of Historic Sotterley with historian Sam Baldwin and actors Jennifer Goddard, Luke Rowe, and Michael Blackwell. This specialty tour starts with a fascinating presentation followed by a guided tour through the manor house with thrilling acted scenes. Celebrate the dramatics of the Halloween season with us!
Prior to the tour, you can enjoy a reception in our beautiful Historic Barn with refreshments and nibbles.
Recommended for ages 16 & older. Walking and standing required. The historic house is not ADA compliant. The tour will last about an hour.
Advance reservations required – please no walk-ins. Each tour time is limited to 20 attendees. Tour times are available at 6:00 pm, 6:45 pm, 7:30 pm, and 8:15 pm.
It is advised to arrive approximately 15 minutes prior to your tour. Please proceed to the Historic Barn to check-in upon arrival.

Buy Tickets for Friday, October 17
Buy Tickets for Saturday, October 18
Buy Tickets for Friday, October 24
Buy Tickets for Saturday, October 24

Emancipation Day & One Maryland One Book
2025-11-01 09:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
November 1, 2025 – In honor of Maryland Emancipation Day on November 1st, Historic Sotterley is partnering with Maryland Humanities and their One Maryland One Book initiative to host a full day of programming that celebrates ancestry, literature, and the power of storytelling. The event will highlight the impact of descendant voices in preserving, sharing, and interpreting ancestral histories, while inspiring others to embark on their own genealogical journeys.

One Maryland One Book brings our community together across the state through the shared experience of reading the same book. This year’s book, Kin: Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford with art by Jeffery Boston Weatherford, is a work of art, history, and personal genealogy. It is the authors’ search into their family history and led them to ancestors who were some of the founders of Maryland.

Kin: Rooted in Hope can be purchased in Historic Sotterley’s Visitor Center/Museum Shop or online!

Activities will include:

A Keynote from Olivia Smith of St. Mary’s Public Library
A Sotterley Descendant Discussion Panel with Gwen Bankins, Dante Eubanks, Kelsey Bush, Tre Lancaster-Smith, and Nocola Williams, Facilitated by Merideth Taylor
Creative Writing Workshops with author Caitlyn Hunter
Living History Performances from Ms. History
A presentation and Q&A from Dave Brown, author of The Barber Family and his newest book on Agnes Kane Callum
An Open Mic for presenting poetry and creative writing

Please note: Due to unforeseen circumstances, Aunt Titty’s Food Truck will no longer be available at the event. Although we will have some light snacks on hand, we recommend bringing a bagged lunch if you intend to stay for the entire duration of the event.

This is a free event. Registration is appreciated!
Register Here!

Schedule of Events
9:00 – Doors Open
9:30 – Program Start, Welcome from Nancy Easterling
9:40 – Keynote from Olivia Smith of St. Mary’s Public Library
9:50 – Living History Chapter 1 performance by Ms. Story
10:20 – Sotterley Descendant Panel with Gwen Bankins, Dante Eubanks, Kelsey Bush, Tre Lancaster-Smith, and Nocola Williams, Facilitated by Merideth Taylor
11:30 – Creative Writing Workshop 1 with Caitlyn Hunter
12:00 – Lunch/Free Time, Manor House Tours and Exhibits Open
1:15 – Living History Chapter 2 performance by Ms. Story
1:45 – Creative Writing Workshop 2 with Caitlyn Hunter
2:15 – Open Mic
2:45 – Presentation by Dave Brown
3:15 – Living History Chapter 3 performance by Ms. Story
3:45 – Final remarks, opportunity to purchase books and book signings

Food Drive
2025-11-07 - 2025-12-31 | MD
Calling all helping hands! The end of the year can be an incredibly stressful time for families in need, and Historic Sotterley is no stranger to the battle against food insecurity in Southern Maryland. We’re asking for your help with donations of non-perishable food items so we can support our local food pantries and soup kitchens through the difficult holiday season.
Donations are being accepted through the end of 2025 in a collection bin outside our Visitor Center. We are looking for non-perishable food items only. Please no expired items or items in glass containers.
All donations will be distributed to the network of local food pantries and soup kitchens that we support year-round through our Growing for Good program.
If you need need help identifying good items to donate, we have provided a PDF at the link below. This list is not exhaustive and we’ll happily accept other staple items you may think of.
Help us feed Southern Maryland!
Food Pantry Items

Sotterley Presents: People & Perspectives with Victoria Christopher Murray
2025-11-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
November 12, 2025 – The daughter of formerly enslaved parents, Mary McLeod Bethune refuses to back down as white supremacists attempt to thwart her work. She marches on as an activist and an educator, and as her reputation grows she becomes a celebrity, revered by titans of business and recognized by U.S. Presidents. Eleanor Roosevelt herself is awestruck and eager to make her acquaintance. Initially drawn together because of their shared belief in women’s rights and the power of education, Mary and Eleanor become fast friends confiding their secrets, hopes and dreams—and holding each other’s hands through tragedy and triumph.When Franklin Delano Roosevelt is elected president, the two women begin to collaborate more closely, particularly as Eleanor moves toward her own agenda separate from FDR, a consequence of the devastating discovery of her husband’s secret love affair. Eleanor becomes a controversial First Lady for her outspokenness, particularly on civil rights. And when she receives threats because of her strong ties to Mary, it only fuels the women’s desire to fight together for justice and equality.
Victoria Christopher Murray joins us to discuss the book she co-authored with Marie Benedict, “The First Ladies, which tells story of two different, yet equally formidable, passionate, and committed women, and the way in which their singular friendship helped form the foundation for the modern civil rights movement.

This is a FREE hybrid event, meaning participants can join us in-person OR virtually. Registration is required.
In-person participants are welcome to join us for a pre-reception at 6:30pm with cookies and drinks.

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

​​​​​​​Victoria Christopher Murray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with over 30 novels to her name, including The Personal Librarian and The First Ladies, co-written with Marie Benedict. A native New Yorker, she earned degrees from Hampton University and NYU’s Stern School of Business before self-publishing her debut novel, Temptation, which was later picked up by Time Warner and remained on the Essence bestsellers list for nine months. Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades, including five NAACP Image Award nominations and a win for Stand Your Ground. Her works have garnered critical acclaim, with The Personal Librarian becoming a Good Morning America Book Club selection and The First Ladies being named Target’s 2023 Book of the Year. Several of her Seven Deadly Sins novels have been adapted into Lifetime movies, while The Personal Librarian has been optioned for a miniseries. With more than three million books in print, Murray stands as a leading figure in African American contemporary literature.

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

Winter Wonderland Wreath Workshops by the Sotterley Garden Guild
2025-12-06 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
December 6, 2025 – 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 wreath workshops on Saturday, December 6th to share their expertise! These beautiful wreaths are made with real foliage and are stunning pieces of décor that everyone will notice.
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 wreath workshops – other materials to be provided. Wreath 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.
Purchase Tickets Here!

Partner Event - Historically Speaking: ​​​​​​​George Plater: St. Mary's Forgotten Patriot
2026-03-26 19:30 - 21:00 | St. Mary’s College of Maryland Daugherty-Palmer Commons, 47720 College Dr., St Mary's City, MD, 20686, United States
March 26, 2026 – David Brown, adjunct professor, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University
With over thirty-three years as a Foreign Service Officer, David Brown unfolds the story of this largely unknown patriot. George Plater was born and raised at Sotterley Plantation and is counted among the earliest of Maryland’s supporters of Independence. He represented Maryland in the Continental Congress from 1778 to 1780, and briefly served as the sixth Governor of Maryland in 1791 and 1792.
In this 250th Year of American Independence, encounter the story of a modest and, for our times, flawed man whose history deserves telling.
This event is being held live at St. Mary’s College of Maryland in partnership with the Center for the Study of Democracy and St. Mary’s County Historical Society. It is being offered as a free livestream thanks to a MD250 grant received by Historic Sotterley.

Register to attend in-person at SMCM
Register to attend virtually

The in-person portion of this event will be at:
Daugherty-Palmer Commons
St Mary’s college of Maryland
47720 College Dr.
St Mary’s City, MD 20686

Daffodil Planting Volunteer Opportunity
2026-03-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
March 28, 2026 – Calling all volunteers! We’re looking for help transplanting some daffodils from where the Homestead House originally stood to its new location on Historic Sotterley’s property and our Sacred Space. The daffodils are on a neighboring property, so you will not be expected to do additional travel.

Transplanting these daffodils that were planted near the 120-year-old homestead honors the families who once lived in the tenant farmer/sharecropper home. Originally planted by a mother who once lived there, the flowers are a living reminder of resilience, care, and legacy.

As they are moved to the new Homestead House and Sacred Space—together with the descendants of the family who first planted them—the community preserves a living piece of history. Each spring, these blooms will serve as a symbol of remembrance, renewal, and the enduring connection between Sotterley’s past and present.

If you would like to volunteer to help us, please sign up at the link below so we know how many volunteers to expect! It will be a fun day of digging in the dirt and enjoying the early spring flowers. Please dress for being outdoors and bring gloves if you have them.

Sign Up Here

Spring Break Activities
2026-03-30 - 2026-04-03 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
Historic Sotterley, Southern Maryland Folklife Center, St. Mary’s County Public Library, and author Nocola Williams are partnering for a week of low-cost 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. Explore how early Marylanders used the natural resources available to them to survive and thrive.
Registration is required for each day’s activity. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are $5 per attendee per day. Monday is free thanks to St. Mary’s County Public Library and a generous donation from an anonymous donor. All activities take place from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm each day.
Please note: Parents are required to purchase a ticket and stay with their children throughout the duration of the event. Activities are recommended for ages 3 and up.

SOLD OUT Monday – Pollinator Party!
Kick off the week with a celebration of pollinators! Children will meet a local author and beekeeper for a reading of Bugzee and the Bees, a story that introduces young readers to the important role pollinators play in our environment. After the story, students will rotate through hands-on learning stations. Campers will explore how pollination works, discover how bees see the world, practice the famous waggle dance, and plant pollinator-friendly seeds to take home. Along the way, they’ll learn why pollinators are so important to Southern Maryland’s ecosystems and how even kids can help protect them. Join local author and educator, Nocola Williams, the team from the St. Mary’s County Mobile Library, and educator Dorothy Birch for a fun filled day of exploration and hands-on learning opportunities.
Tuesday – Wild Food, Wild Fiber, Wild Medicine – Register Here!
We will explore the woods and fields of Historic Sotterley, learning to identify the plants and fungi that were used by Native, colonist, and enslaved peoples as food, fiber, and medicine!
Wednesday – Gardening for Good Health – Register Here!
We will explore, pot up, and take home the plants that the women of olden times grew in their gardens and used as medicine for their families!
Thursday – Cancelled
Due to overnight storms on Wednesday, the site will be too muddy for a nature walk, so we have made the decision to cancel this day’s activities.
Friday – Dyeing from Nature – Register Here!
We will use plants and other natural items to dye fabric the way people used to before commercial fabric dye was available; they dyed clothes, but we’re dyeing bandanas to take home and keep!

Bald Eagle Nest Photography Walk
2026-04-11 09:00 - 12:00 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
April 11, 2026 – Experience and capture the beauty of birds and other wildlife on an excursion at Historic Sotterley’s scenic Patuxent River property led by Ken Barlow.
On Saturday (11 April 2026 starting at 9am in the Visitors Parking lot) at Historic Sotterley in Hollywood, MD, Ken Barlow from the St. Mary’s County Camera Club/Coastal Camera Club/Bowie-Crofton Camera Club will be guiding a Bald Eagle Nest Walk. Ken has been tracking the nest over the last year and will share his insights on the eagles and camera (or binocular) viewing angles. The walk will primarily focus on camera techniques, but birds & other wildlife may be discussed as appropriate.
This walk will be between 1 to 2 miles along the various paths at Sotterley which will be a combination of brick walkway, gravel paths, wood chip paths, and limited grass paths. It is highly recommended to wear appropriate shoes and clothing for the weather and conditions.
The walk starts promptly at 9:00 am, please arrive 10-15 minutes prior in the parking lot in front of the Visitor Center.
Directions: From Rt. 235, go north on Sotterley Road; turn right through gates then head towards the Historic Sotterley Visitor Center, we meet in the parking lot.
Restrooms will be available.

Click here to register!

Partner Event—Front Porch Stories @ Lexington Park Library
2026-04-11 10:00 - 12:30 | Lexington Park Library, 71677 Franklin Delano Roosevelt Blvd, Lexington Park, 20653, United States
Registration not required, but you can register HERE for a reminder email.

An interactive training program rooted in the tradition of gathering stories in informal, welcoming spaces.

Front Porch Stories invites you to learn the fundamentals of ethnographic research and oral history methods including developing a research focus and interview guides, interviewing and recording techniques, analyzing themes, creating safe and inviting spaces, and more!
Registration is not required to attend–register to receive an email reminder, all walk-ins are welcome!

St. Mary's County History Day
2026-04-18 | Leonardtown Public Library, 23630 Hayden Farm Ln, Leonardtown, MD, 20650, United States
April 18, 2026 – 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.

Students from public, private, parochial, home, and cyber schools are welcome to participate.

St. Mary’s County History Day is brought to you by Historic Sotterley, with support from with St. Mary’s County Library, Maryland Humanities, and the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum.

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

Contest Date: Saturday, April 18th, 2026
Deadline to Submit Project: Saturday, April 11th, 2026
Theme: Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History
Location: Leonardtown Public Library

Other Contest Dates
State Contest Day: May 2, 2026
National Contest Day: June 14-18, 2026

Sotterley Presents: People & Perspectives with Michael Kent
2026-04-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
April 22, 2026 – When the international slave trade was outlawed in 1808, other methods were tried to fill the labor void in the South. Border States like Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky began to breed slaves from the enslaved people they already owned. One such enslaved person was Jacob Broom who was owned by the Chew family from Chesapeake Beach in Calvert County. When Jacob was interviewed by a newspaper in 1890, he recalled fathering 375 children. Michael Kent joins us to discuss his book “Jacob’s Children: Black History Hidden in Plain Sight,” which discusses the horror of breeding and speculates on the plight of the children.

This is a FREE hybrid event. Registration is required.
All participants are welcome to join us to meet the speaker at the pre-reception at 6:30 pm with light refreshments.
Register Here to Attend In-Person
Register Here to Attend Virtually

Michael Kent, born in Calvert County in 1957, grew up on his family’s tobacco farm before earning degrees from the University of Maryland in College Park and Baltimore. He served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserves’ JAG Corps and worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney in both Baltimore and Prince George’s Counties. His second career emerged from a passion for preserving history: beginning with his own family’s oral traditions, he expanded his research to document the full scope of Black history in Calvert County. This work culminated in his book Mulatto: The Black History of Calvert County, now used in local public schools and widely available in libraries and online. He continues to share this history through presentations across the state.
Kent’s contributions have earned significant recognition, including the 2023 Library Foundation Award, the 2023 Republican Man of the Year Award, and an NAACP leadership award, along with a nomination for the Maryland Council for Social Studies’ 2024 Professional of the Year. He has served on the Maryland Commission for African American History and Culture under Governors O’Malley and Hogan and currently sits on the Calvert County Historic District Preservation Commission. A life member and former president of the Calvert County NAACP, Kent remains deeply engaged in preserving and interpreting the region’s history. If you’d like, I can also shape this into a brief bio suitable for a program or website.

Annual Garden Guild Plant Sale
2026-04-25 - 2026-04-26 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
April 25 & 26, 2026 – From nurturing and maintaining our exquisite Colonial Revival Gardens – to giving fun and informative workshops, and bringing extra flair and beauty to the site. The Sotterley Garden Guild are dedicated volunteers who do so much! Please stop by, support, and shop at their Annual Plant Sale!

Here is your chance to buy plants lovingly nurtured by the Sotterley gardeners. Have questions? Members of the Garden Guild will be on hand with the answers and to share advice. The funds raised by this all-volunteer group of gardening enthusiasts are used to maintain the beautiful Colonial Revival Garden. It is in the gardens that their labors and their love of gardening is displayed so majestically.
To come and browse the plant selection is free. A cost is only involved if you choose to purchase plants or other items.
2026 PLANT SALE:
Saturday, April 25 – 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Sunday, April 26 – 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Themed Guided Tours - Historic Sotterley as a Museum
2026-05-02 - 2026-05-03 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
May 2 & 3, 2026 – Historic Sotterley will be offering guided tours with an added focus on Historic Sotterley’s history as a museum in honor of the grand opening of our brand-new Visitor Experience Center on May 2nd. The tour will feature all of our normal topics and include some additional information about Historic Sotterley’s journey since its last owner, Mabel Satterlee Ingalls, turned it into a museum in the 1960s.
Tours will be offered on Saturday at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm and on Sunday at 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm. For more information about our hours and pricing, check our visit page.
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.

Temporary Exhibit - Revolutionary Maryland: Freedom of the Press Then and Now
2026-05-02 - 2026-06-28 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
May – June, 2026 – This traveling exhibit is on loan to Historic Sotterley from Maryland Humanities. It explores the evolution of one of our most important American freedoms from its earliest incarnation in the Maryland Colony to its role in contemporary society, and is part of an extended project designed to encourage all citizens to think critically about the roles of a free press to self-government in democracy.
We are honored to be the only host site of this exhibit in Southern Maryland this spring, and will be expanding the exhibit to include examples of the impact of the press on Historic Sotterley throughout its lifetime.
You can view this temporary exhibit in our Visitor Experience Center on Fridays through Sundays.

Visitor Experience Center Grand Opening
2026-05-02 10:00 - 16:00 | MD
May 2, 2026 – Celebrate the Grand Opening of our brand-new Visitor Experience Center with us! The new Visitor Experience Center is located centrally on our site, giving visitors better access to our historic corridor and providing additional space for a series of rotating exhibits on local and national history. This event also marks the opening of our guided tour season, which will run through October.
During the Grand Opening, visitors can enjoy family-friendly activities and museum activities including:

The “Revolutionary Maryland: Freedom of the Press Then and Now” traveling exhibit from Maryland Humanities
Themed tours about Historic Sotterley’s history as a museum
Face painting & bubbles for kids
Puppeteer show
Viewing Historic Sotterley’s farm animals

Guests are encouraged to bring their own picnics to enjoy on our scenic property over-looking the Patuxent River.

About “Revolutionary Maryland: Freedom of the Press Then and Now”
This traveling exhibit is on loan to Historic Sotterley from Maryland Humanities. It explores the evolution of one of our most important American freedoms from its earliest incarnation in the Maryland Colony to its role in contemporary society, and is part of an extended project designed to encourage all citizens to think critically about the roles of a free press to self-government in democracy.
We are honored to be the only host site of this exhibit in Southern Maryland, and will be expanding the exhibit to include examples of the impact of the press on Historic Sotterley throughout its lifetime.
The exhibit will be on display in the new Visitor Experience Center from May 2nd through the end of June.

About Historic Sotterley’s History as a Museum Tours
Explore the evolution of Historic Sotterley from its earliest days as a museum opening up to the public for guided tours in the 1960s to the innovative historic site that includes descendant leadership and a demonstrated commitment to preserving the stories of all who once called this site home.
Tour Times: 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm
Tour Price: $10 general admission | $10 seniors | $8 children ages 6-17 | FREE children 5 and younger and all Historic Sotterley members
Tour tickets are first-come first-served can be bought at the Visitor Experience Center during the event!

Not a member yet? Join us now!

Mother's Day Weekend - Mom's tours are 1/2 off!
2026-05-08 - 2026-05-10 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
May 8-10, 2026 – Looking to spend time with your mom this Mother’s Day? Spend the day at Historic Sotterley!
Historic Sotterley will have an extra focus on the women of Sotterley from Friday May 8th to Sunday May 10th. To make the day extra special, Moms get their tours for half off! Tickets can be purchased at Sotterley’s Visitor Center on the day of the tour. Other tour participants will need to buy their tickets at normal price.
Tours will be offered on Friday & Saturday at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm and on Sunday at 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm. For more information about our hours and pricing, check our visit page.
Historic Sotterley’s guided tours allow visitors an intimate perspective of the lives and cultures of those that owned, lived, and worked in the historic Manor House, enslaved or free, over three centuries of American history. Tours this weekend will have an extra focus on the women of Sotterley, from Rebecca Bowles, the second wife of Sotterley’s first owner, to Ruth Barber, one of Sotterley’s last residents. Visitors will learn about how these women influenced Sotterley’s history and set the course for its future.
The tour is on the ground floor spaces 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. Please call in advance for full access details.
After the tour, Sotterley offers a museum gift shop, beautiful trails, expansive gardens, access to a quiet creek, and additional exhibits to explore and learn from. Tour attendees are welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy all that the grounds have to offer with their mom. Historic Sotterley is a “Leave No Trace” site, so please be prepared to pack out any trash and leftover food when you leave.

Mother's Day Afternoon Tea
2026-05-09 13:00 - 15:00 | MD
May 9, 2026 – Historic Sotterley is offering an opportunity to celebrate the important women in your life with an afternoon tea service. The service will be held in the beautifully restored Historic Barn event space and feature special guest Maria Derisavi to talk about her year being Miss Maryland 2025.
The afternoon’s menu will include delicate tea sandwiches, artful scones, a variety of sweets, and an array of chocolates paired with three delicious varieties of tea and lemonade. There will be special door prizes.
Date: May 9th, 2026
Time: 1:00 pm
Price: $50 | $35 for students | $25 for children under 16
Location: 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD 20636
Buy Tickets Here!
Ticket price also includes a curator’s choice Women of Sotterley guided tour. Historic Sotterley’s guided tours allow visitors an intimate perspective of the lives and cultures of those that owned, lived, and worked in the historic Manor House, enslaved or free, over three centuries of American history. Tours this weekend will have an extra focus on the women of Sotterley, from Rebecca Bowles, the second wife of Sotterley’s first owner, to Ruth Barber, one of Sotterley’s last residents. Attendees will learn about how these women influenced Sotterley’s history and set the course for its future, with special additions and commentary.
Tour times are available at:
10:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 pm
12:30 pm
1:30 pm
2:00 pm
2:30 pm
Please allow at least two hours before the tea service to take the themed guided tour and self-guided tour of the grounds. Guided tours will be first come serve. Please just arrive at the Visitor Experience Center and provide the name on your tea RSVP to the shop staff.

Sotterley Presents: People & Perspectives with Edna Cummings
2026-05-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
May 20, 2026 – Retired Army Colonel Edna W. Cummings joins us to talk about her life and memoir, “A Soldier’s Life,” which chronicles her unlikely but successful path to leadership in the army and after retirement. The memoir also tells the story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, known as the Six Triple Eight, a trailblazing African American World War II Women’s Army Corps, and the grassroots campaign Cummings led to honor them. She will have a limited number of copies of her book available for purchase and signing for in-person attendees.

This is a FREE hybrid event. Registration is required.
All participants are welcome to join us to meet the speaker at the pre-reception at 6:30 pm with light refreshments.
Register Here to Attend In-Person
Register Here to Attend Virtually

A Fayetteville, NC, native and Army brat, Col. Edna Cummings is a distinguished alumnus of Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, and the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program whose 25-year Army career included influential assignments at Georgetown University, the Pentagon, and NORAD/USNORTHCOM. After retiring, she continued her leadership in homeland security and information technology roles and now serves as Vice President of Windsor Group, LLC and an Army Reserve Ambassador for Maryland. A dedicated advocate for honoring the all-Black WWII Women’s Army Corps unit known as the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, she played a pivotal role in securing the Six Triple Eight Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021 and co-produced two documentaries highlighting their legacy.
Col. Cummings holds advanced degrees from Troy State University and the U.S. Army War College and has earned numerous prestigious honors, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, induction into the Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame, the NAACP’s Jesse Brown Distinguished Leadership Award, and recognition as a 2023 Trailblazer by the Center for Women Veterans. Her memoir, A Soldier’s Life: A Black Woman’s Rise from Army Brat to Six Triple Eight Champion, was released by the University of Virginia Press in 2025. Her continued work, leadership, and advocacy have made her a nationally recognized changemaker and a powerful voice in preserving military and African American history.

Second Saturday Family Nights
2026-06-13 17:00 - 21:00 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
June 13, 2026 – Second Saturday Family Nights at Historic Sotterley brings the perfect blend of summer fun, local flavor, and down‑home charm. Enjoy delicious eats from Bailey’s Food Truck, buy fresh local finds at the farmer’s market, and let the kids dive into farm games and wagon rides around Sotterley’s beautiful grounds. Starting at 6:00, rock out to a mix of 80s and classic rock favorites from Southern Maryland favorites Fast Eddie and The Boys. Join us for an easygoing, family‑friendly evening that celebrates community, good food, and great music all in one unforgettable place.
Date: June 13, 2026
Time: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Live Music: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Price: Free
Location: 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD 20636
This event is now free, but donations are welcome!
Attendees are welcome to bring blankets and chairs to spread out and enjoy the event. No outside food or drink will be permitted.
Second Saturday Family Nights at Historic Sotterley will continue throughout 2026 with a new band each event. Stay tuned for more announcements!

Sotterley Presents: People & Perspectives with Agnes Lightfoot, Gwen Bankins, and Dave Brown
2026-06-17 19:00 - 20:30 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
June 17, 2026 – Sotterley descendants Agnes Lightfoot and Gwen Bankins along with author Dave Brown join us to talk about Dave’s new book, The Kane Family: Slavery to Freedom at Sotterley. The book compiles and preserves the work of Agnes’s mother, genealogist and historian Agnes Kane Callum. Agnes’s decades of research into her family, beginning with her great grandfather Hillery Cane, who was the patriarch of the Cane family enslaved at Sotterley, helped transform how we understand and share our history at Historic Sotterley. Her work uncovered the family histories of hundreds of descendants connected to Sotterley and laid the foundation for a more complete and honest interpretation of our past. Agnes, Gwen, and Dave will be discussing this incredible work, Agnes Kane Callum’s life and impact, and the process of compiling and annotating this impressive body of research.

This is a FREE hybrid event. Registration is required.
All participants are welcome to join us to meet the speaker at the pre-reception at 6:30 pm with light refreshments.
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Agnes “Callum” Lightfoot is a community leader with more than 20 years of service in civic, cultural, and mission-driven organizations. She is known for strong organizational leadership, strategic planning, and sustained community engagement.
She has a long-standing connection to Historic Sotterley through her mother, Agnes Kane Callum, who served on the Sotterley Board for many years—an influence that helped shape Agnes’s lifelong commitment to preservation and public service.
Agnes currently serves as President of the Democratic Women’s Club of Flagler County and as Florida State Correspondence Secretary for the Democratic Women’s Clubs. She has led multiple nonprofit initiatives, mobilized volunteers, and strengthened organizations through effective governance and public outreach. In addition to her nonprofit work, she is a Realtor with Weichert Realtors Hallmark Properties in Florida.
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Gwendoline Bankins is the President of the Board of Trustees at Historic Sotterley and the first descendant of enslaved individuals at the site to hold this leadership role. A St. Mary’s County native, she is known for her deep love of community and over 30 years of service in local and state volunteer outreach programs focused on awareness, healing, and hope.
Gwen serves as Chair of the Descendant-led Day of Unity and Healing and was the descendant lead in Sotterley’s Community Archaeology Initiative in June. She has also chairs the site’s Preservation, Restoration, and Interpretation Committee. Beyond Sotterley, she is active in regional efforts to advance racial equity, serving on steering committees for Dismantling Racism and Privilege in Southern Maryland and the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area.
A committed Law Enforcement Chaplain, Gwen supports the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and holds leadership roles with the International Conference of Police Chaplains. Her work bridges history, service, and healing—centering truth, community connection, and inclusive storytelling.
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Dave Brown is a retired diplomat and university educator. Since 2000, he has volunteered as a docent at Sotterley and once served on its Board of Trustees. He has written books and articles related to Sotterley including Sotterley: Its People and Their Worlds (2010), George Plater of Sotterley (2014) and The Barber Family: From Slavery, Through Segregation and The Civil Rights Movement (2023), the last co-authored with Donald Barber.

Themed Tours - Pursuit of Freedom
2026-06-19 - 2026-06-21 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
June 19-21, 206 – In honor of Juneteenth, Historic Sotterley is offering its guided tours with additional notes on The Pursuit of Freedom at Historic Sotterley and how struggles continued after the Civil War.
Tours will be offered on Friday & Saturday at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm and on Sunday at 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm. For more information about our hours and pricing, check our visit page.
Historic Sotterley’s guided tours allow visitors an intimate perspective of the lives, cultures, and stories of those that owned, lived, and labored on the site, enslaved or free, over three centuries of American history. Tours this weekend will have an extra focus on how freedom evolved through the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, the Civil War, and post-Emancipation into the 20th century.
The tour is on the ground floor and is approximately 45 minutes in length. The 18th Century Manor House doorways may not accommodate all wheelchairs or walkers in some rooms of the house. Please call in advance for full access details.
After the tour, Sotterley offers a Visitor Experience Center with a museum shop, beautiful trails, expansive gardens, access to a quiet creek, and additional exhibits to explore and learn from. During this weekend, the site will also be hosting the “Revolutionary Maryland: Freedom of the Press Then and Now” traveling exhibit from Maryland Humanities in the Visitor Experience Center, and a Colonial Marines temporary exhibit spread throughout the site. Historic Sotterley is a “Leave No Trace” site, so please be prepared to pack out any trash and leftover food when you leave.

Father's Day Weekend - Dads' Tours 1/2 off!
2026-06-19 - 2026-06-21 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
June 19-21, 2026 – Bring your history-loving Dad to Historic Sotterley to celebrate Father’s Day with a guided tour! To make the day extra special, dads get their tours for half off. Tickets can be purchased at Sotterley’s Visitor Center on the day of the tour. Other tour participants will need to buy their tickets at normal price.
Tours will be offered on Friday & Saturday at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm and on Sunday at 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm. For more information about our hours and pricing, check our visit page.
Historic Sotterley’s guided tours allow visitors an intimate perspective of the lives and cultures of those that owned, lived, and worked in the historic Manor House, enslaved or free, over three centuries of American history. As Father’s Day shares a weekend with Juneteenth this year, this weekend’s tours will have an additional focus on the Pursuit of Freedom and how freedom evolved through the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, the Civil War, and post-Emancipation into the 20th century.
The tour is on the ground floor spaces 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. Please call in advance for full access details.
After the tour, Sotterley offers a museum gift shop, beautiful trails, expansive gardens, access to a quiet creek, and additional exhibits to explore and learn from. Tour attendees are welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy all that the grounds have to offer with their dad. Historic Sotterley is a “Leave No Trace” site, so please be prepared to pack out any trash and leftover food when you leave.

Threads of Freedom: Honoring Edith Younger Edmunds at 100
2026-06-19 15:30 - 19:00 | MD
June 19, 2026 – In celebration of Juneteenth, Historic Sotterley is proud to present “Threads of Freedom: Honoring Edith Younger Edmunds at 100,” a powerful and intergenerational program rooted in the theme of threads—those that bind history, memory, resilience, and community across generations.

45-minute presentation from Edith Younger Edmunds
Conversational panel with Sotterley descendants
Community engagement and reflection
Live music with Casual Groove Band
Time: 3:30 – 7:00 pm
Location: Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood MD

Registration here!
At the heart of this year’s program is the understanding that freedom is not a single moment, but a continuous weaving of stories, struggles, and triumphs. The “threads” in this gathering represent the hands that labored, the voices that endured, and the traditions that survived—often carried forward in ways both seen and unseen.
Traveling from Halifax County, Virginia, Edith Younger Edmunds—now 100 years old—has been creating Underground Railroad quilts since the age of seven. Her quilts embody both artistry and ancestral knowledge, reflecting a long-held belief that patterns and symbols were used to communicate messages of movement, safety, and hope along the Underground Railroad. Whether as coded maps or as powerful expressions of cultural memory, these quilts stand as enduring symbols of ingenuity, resistance, and the human longing for freedom.
Through Mrs. Edmunds’ life and work, “Threads of Freedom” becomes more than a title—it becomes a living narrative. Each stitch represents a story. Each pattern reflects a journey. Each quilt becomes a bridge between past and present, reminding us that history is not distant—it is carried forward through people, practice, and purpose.
This special program invites the community to gather in reflection and celebration as Mrs. Edmunds shares her story, her craft, and the cultural significance of quilting as both expression and resistance. Her 45-minute presentation will be followed by time for community engagement, allowing participants to connect more deeply with the stories and meanings woven into her work.
Following Mrs. Edmunds presentation, a panel of Sotterley descendants will lead a discussion titled “Threads That Continue: Descendant Voices on Memory, Place, and Legacy,” exploring their relationship with Sotterley and the legacy of their ancestors that connect to them to the site. The panel will consist of Gerard Barber, Katherine Humphries, Nocola Williams, and Tre’ Lancaster, each representing different eras and aspects of Sotterley’s history, and different journeys to exploring their stories.
The evening will continue in celebration with live music by Casual Groove, whose vibrant blend of R&B, jazz, funk, and soul creates a joyful atmosphere of unity—honoring not only the history of emancipation, but the ongoing expression of freedom through music, culture, and community connection.
Historic Sotterley, a site committed to telling a full and honest history, recognizes that Juneteenth is both a commemoration and a call—to remember, to honor, and to continue the work of truth-telling. By centering descendant voices and living traditions, Sotterley affirms that the threads of freedom are still being woven today.
Mrs. Edmunds’ presence offers a rare and profound opportunity to witness history through the hands of someone who has carried it for a century—an invitation to reflect on what we inherit, what we preserve, and what we pass forward.

America's 250th Presentation: George Plater III with Dave Brown
2026-06-25 19:00 - 20:30 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
June 25, 2026 – Join us for a special presentation in honor of America’s and Maryland’s 250th as historian and author Dave Brown explores the life and legacy of George Plater III, one of Maryland’s highly involved and influential early leaders. Through Dave’s research, this program illuminates Plater’s role in shaping the state and the nation during its formative years, while connecting his impact to the broader, complex history preserved at Historic Sotterley.
Port of Leonardtown Winery will be joining us for this event to bring you outstanding local wines to taste. Located in the heart of Leonardtown, Port of Leonardtown Winery is a community-driven winery working with a cooperative of 12 member vineyards to create high-quality, Southern Maryland-made wine. Since their start in 2010, they’ve won multiple best-in-show awards for their incredible wine varieties.

Participation in this event is free, but you will need to purchase a wine-tasting ticket to enjoy Port of Leonardtown Winery’s tastings during the event. Wine-tasting tickets are $20 and participants must be 21 or over.
All participants are welcome to join us to meet the speaker at the pre-reception at 6:30 pm with light refreshments.
Register to Attend In-Person
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Buy a Ticket for the Wine Tasting!

Dave Brown is a retired diplomat and university educator. Since 2000, he has volunteered as a docent at Sotterley and once served on its Board of Trustees. He has written books and articles related to Sotterley including Sotterley: Its People and Their Worlds (2010), George Plater of Sotterley (2014) and The Barber Family: From Slavery, Through Segregation and The Civil Rights Movement (2023) co-authored with Donald Barber, and The Kane Family: Slavery to Freedom at Sotterley (2025).

Themed Tours - Descendants of Sotterley
2026-06-26 - 2026-06-28 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
June 26-28, 2026 – In honor of Descendants Day on June 28th, Historic Sotterley is offering its guided tours with additional notes on the role of descendants in preserving Sotterley and its stories.
Tours will be offered on Friday & Saturday at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm and on Sunday at 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm. For more information about our hours and pricing, check our visit page.
Historic Sotterley’s guided tours allow visitors an intimate perspective of the lives and cultures of those that owned, lived, and labored on the site, enslaved or free, over three centuries of American history. Tours this weekend will have an extra focus on how descendants of those that lived and labored here have shaped our interpretation of Sotterley’s history and the key families that have shaped Historic Sotterley as it is today.
The tour is on the ground floor and is approximately 45 minutes in length. The 18th Century Manor House doorways may not accommodate all wheelchairs or walkers in some rooms of the house. Please call in advance for full access details.
After the tour, Sotterley offers a Visitor Experience Center with a museum shop, beautiful trails, expansive gardens, access to a quiet creek, and additional exhibits to explore and learn from. During this weekend, the site will also be hosting the “Revolutionary Maryland: Freedom of the Press Then and Now” traveling exhibit from Maryland Humanities in the Visitor Experience Center, and a Colonial Marines temporary exhibit spread throughout the site. Historic Sotterley is a “Leave No Trace” site, so please be prepared to pack out any trash and leftover food when you leave.

Sotterley Presents: People & Perspectives with John Garrison Marks
2026-07-01 19:00 - 20:30 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
July 1, 2026 – How should we remember George Washington’s involvement in slavery? In this lecture, historian John Garrison Marks will share how Americans have argued over this questions for nearly 250 years. More than any other “Founding Father,” Washington’s ties to slavery have vexed us. He enslaved more people than any of his fellow Founders, yet he was the only one of them to emancipate the people he held in bondage. Since his death, Americans have grappled with this contradiction, shaping and re-shaping our collective memory of Washington and slavery—along with our understanding of the nation.
Drawing on research from his new book, Marks traces how politicians, abolitionists, educators, activists, Washington’s former slaves and their descendants, and others have remembered, forgotten, and manipulated slavery’s place in Washington’s story, wielding it in the political and cultural fights of their time. He reveals how Americans’ conflicts over our collective memory of the past have always been part of a much broader struggle to define the nation—and ourselves.

This is a FREE hybrid event. Registration is required.
All participants are welcome to join us to meet the speaker at the pre-reception at 6:30 pm with light refreshments.

Register to Attend In-Person
Register to Attend Virtually

John Garrison Marks is a historian and writer who explores history, museums, and the ways Americans engage with the past. He is the author or editor of three books, and his work has appeared in The Atlantic, Washington Post, TIME, Smithsonian Magazine, and elsewhere. His latest book, Thy Will Be Done: George Washington’s Legacy of Slavery and the Fight for American Memory (2026), explores how generations of Americans have thought, and fought, about slavery’s place in George Washington’s legacy over the past 250 years. Marks also serves as a senior staff member for the American Association for State and Local History, where he leads research, leadership development, and special projects, including nine years of thinking, writing, and speaking about the U.S. Semiquincentennial. He earned a Ph.D. in history from Rice University.

Themed Tours - Sotterley During the Revolution
2026-07-03 - 2026-07-05 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
July 3-5, 2026 – In honor of Independence Day and America’s 250th, Historic Sotterley is offering its guided tours with additional notes on Sotterley’s role in shaping America’s history and the start of our nation through an examination of the life of Sotterley’s George Plater III and those who lived and labored at Sotterley during the Revolution.
Tours will be offered on Friday & Saturday at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm and on Sunday at 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm. For more information about our hours and pricing, check our visit page.
Historic Sotterley’s guided tours allow visitors an intimate perspective of the lives and cultures of those that owned, lived, and labored on the site, enslaved or free, over three centuries of American history. Tours this weekend will have an extra focus on the ways Sotterley, with its prime location along the Patuxent River and trade routes, played a role in early American history.
The tour is on the ground floor and is approximately 45 minutes in length. The 18th Century Manor House doorways may not accommodate all wheelchairs or walkers in some rooms of the house. Please call in advance for full access details.
After the tour, Sotterley offers a Visitor Experience Center with a museum shop, beautiful trails, expansive gardens, access to a quiet creek, and additional exhibits to explore and learn from. Historic Sotterley is a “Leave No Trace” site, so please be prepared to pack out any trash and leftover food when you leave.
