Museum matters

Here is what is happening at museums around Southern Maryland this week.

Charles

The Maryland Veterans Museum at Patriot Park will host John Peter Thompson, who will give a lecture titled “Power Women 2” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, at 11000 Crain Highway in Newburg. Go to www.mdvets.cc/.

General William Smallwood’s Retreat House and Ground will be open on selected dates. The house is located inside Smallwood State Park, 2750 Sweden Point Road in Marbury. Call 301-743-3048 or 301-743-7613.

The Maryland Veterans Museum at Patriot Park will host Donna Patterson, who will give a lecture titled “Snippets of Abraham Lincoln” 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, at 11000 Crain Highway in Newburg. Go to www.mdvets.cc/.

The Fairytale Museum is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 2935 Festival Way in Waldorf. The museum has interactive exhibits, birthday celebrations, literacy programs and etiquette activities. Admission is $12, free for adults with paid child. Call 844-722-4642 or go to www.fairytalemuseum.org.

The La Plata Firehouse Museum is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on selected dates. The museum is located at 3 Firehouse Alley in La Plata. For group visits, call Danielle Mandley at 301-934-8421 or historiclaplata@townoflaplata.org.

The La Plata Train Museum will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on scheduled dates. The museum is located at 101 Kent Ave. in La Plata. Go to www.loc8nearme.com/maryland/la-plata/la-plata-train-station-museum/7300495/, or for group tours, call Danielle Mandley at 301-934-8421.

The Maryland Veterans Museum at Patriot Park is open noon to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday and by appointment, at 11000 Crain Highway in Newburg. Admission is $5, $2 for children, free for veterans and members. An individual membership is $25 while a family membership for four is $35. Go to www.mdvets.cc/.

The Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum is open 1starting April 6 from 1 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays at 3725 Dr. Samuel Mudd Road in Waldorf. Admission is $10 for a house/farm tour. Call 301-645-6870 or go to https://drmudd.org/ or call 301-645-6870.

The Historic McConchie One-School, which originally served African-American students exclusively, now serves as a living museum and is open for tours and periodically throughout the year to the public. The schoolhouse is located inside the Charles County Fairgrounds, 8440 Fairground Road in La Plata. Contact Edward Holland at 301-848-3476 or HistoricMcConchieSchool@gmail.com.

The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 36 is offering free assistance for claims support 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays at the Maryland Veteran’s Museum at Patriot’s Park, 11000 Crain Highway in Newburg. Appointments required. Call 202-531-0271.

The Mount Carmel Monastery, which was established for the purpose of preserving the site of the first convent of religious women in the Thirteen Original Colonies is open 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at 5678 Mt. Carmel Road in La Plata. There is also a gift shop. Go to www.restorersmtcarmelmd.org.

The Historic McConchie One-School committee is looking for school alumni and friends and relatives of alumni who are willing to be interviewed. The school is looking for experiences and plans to make a collection of videos after the rehabilitation to the school is completed. Contact Delores Walls at 301-932-5416 or akapc71@verizon.net.

The Maryland Veterans Museum at Patriot Park will host Chuck Morrison, who will give a lecture titled “The Story of the Airplane on Display at Patriot Park” 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, at 11000 Crain Highway in Newburg. Go to www.mdvets.cc/.

St. Mary’s

St. Clement’s Island Museum will host its annual First Landing Wine & Arts Festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 13. Celebrate St. Mary’s County wineries on the wine trail, local artisans, craft vendors, kids’ activities, live music, boat rides, food vendors and more. Free admission. Go to www.Facebook.com/SCIMuseum.

Historic St. Mary’s City will host Little Explorers: Colors of the Rainbow 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 17 at 18751 Hogaboom Lane in St. Mary’s City. Discover the colors of the rainbow through activities, conversations and a craft that will be displayed in the Visitor Center. For ages 3 to 5 with an accompanying adult. The cost is $4 per child, which includes a free adult. Includes access to museum exhibits. 301-994-4371 or www.www.hsmcdigshistory.org/events/.

Historic St. Mary’s City will host Homeschool Wednesday Workshops all day Wednesday, April 17, at Hogaboom Lane in St. Mary’s City. Interpretive discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. Registration required. Go to www.hsmcdigshistory.org/events/ for the schedule, topics and costs, or contact 301-994-4370 or hsmc.groups@maryland.gov.

Drayden African American Schoolhouse will host a free open house 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at 18287 Cherryfield Road in Drayden. Learn about one of the nation’s best-preserved one-room African American schoolhouses and its rich history and importance to education in St. Mary’s County. Go to www.Facebook.com/DraydenSchool.

Drayden African American Schoolhouse will host a free open house 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at 18287 Cherryfield Road in Drayden. Learn about one of the nation’s best-preserved one-room African American schoolhouses and its rich history and importance to education in St. Mary’s County. Go to www.Facebook.com/DraydenSchool.

Drayden African American Schoolhouse will host a free open house 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 15-16 and June 19, at 18287 Cherryfield Road in Drayden. Learn about one of the nation’s best-preserved one-room African American schoolhouses and its rich history and importance to education in St. Mary’s County. Go to www.Facebook.com/DraydenSchool.

Historic St. Mary’s City is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays at 18751 Hogaboom Lane in St. Mary’s City. Learn about Maryland’s history while visiting the Woodland Indian Hamlet, the reconstructed Town Center, the Maryland Dove and the Godiah Spray Tobacco Plantation through the visitor center, historic interpreters, and walking paths. Admission is free for seniors ages 65 and older on the first Thursday of the month. Go to www.HSMCdigshistory.org

The St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation & Parks’ Museum Division reminds visitors that the St. Clements Island Museum, Piney Point Lighthouse Museum and Old Jail Museum are open year-round 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The St. Clements water taxi runs March 24 through Oct. 31. The Old Jail Museum is open to 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Leonardtown’s First Fridays and has no admission. Museums are closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Call 240-925-3427 or go to www.Museums.StMarysMD.com.

The Patuxent Naval Air Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays at 22156 Three Notch Road in Lexington Park. The museum has exhibits, aircraft and a flight simulator. Call 301-863-1900 or go to www.paxmuseum.com.

The U.S. Colored Troops Interpretive Center is located in Lexington Manor Passive Park at 21675 S. Coral Drive in Lexington Park. The center explores the profound and significant contributions of African Americans in St. Mary’s Count including the two medal of honor winners who served in the 38th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Colored Troops and fought for the Union during the Civil War. Another exhibit has information on the segregated school system in St. Mary’s County, including details on the Drayden African American Schoolhouse. On the trail between the Interpretive Center and John G. Lancaster Park, learn about African American troops and the Civil War era in St. Mary’s County on informational panels leading to the U.S. Colored Troops Memorial Statue. The center is open by appointment only. Go to www.Facebook.com/SCIMuseum.

Calvert

Calvert Marine Museum will host a concert by Claude Bourbon 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 12. Known throughout Europe and America, Bourbon performsguitar performances that takes blues, Spanish, and Middle Eastern stylings into uncharted territories. Doors open 6 p.m. and beer and wine will be available for purchase. Part of the Maritime Performance Series. Tickets are $20 online, $25 at the door. Go to bit.ly/MaritimeConcerts.

Calvert Marine Museum will host dockside tours of the Dee of St. Mary’s 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 13. See the 56-foot sailing skipjack up-close, learn how watermen dredge for oysters, hoist the sails, and navigate the Chesapeake. Included with museum admission. Go to www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.

Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center will hold a Rose Soiree Wine Festival 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at 13470 Dowell Road in Solomons. Sip roses from across the globe, live music, culinary demonstrations, and vendor market. Must be 21 years of age. Tickets are $40 online, $45 at the door; designated drivers are $10 online, $15 at the door. Go to www.annmariegarden.org.

Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum will hold Horticulture Helpers 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays. Work with the horticulture staff on different projects. Tools provided and no experience needed. For ages 16 and older, ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Go to https://jefpat.maryland.gov/.

Calvert Marine Museum will host Little Minnows: Spring Ahead! 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. Thursday, April 18. Discover the museum through music, stories, activities and a craft, while supplies last. Sessions are 25-40 minutes. Free with museum admission. Sign up at the admission desk. For ages 3 to 5 years and their caregivers. Go to www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.

Calvert Marine Museum will host 20% off for members at the museum store 10:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Saturday, April 20. Go to www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.

Calvert Marine Museum will host Little Minnows: Spring Ahead! 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. Thursday, April 25. Discover the museum through music, stories, activities and a craft, while supplies last. Sessions are 25-40 minutes. Free with museum admission. Sign up at the admission desk. For ages 3 to 5 years and their caregivers. Go to www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.

Calvert Marine Museum will host a jewelry trunk show 10:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Friday, April 26, through Sunday, April 28. Shop collections from Mickey Lynn, Anatoli, Chart Jewelry and Theresa Applegate. Go to www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.

Calvert Marine Museum will host a concert by The Benjie Porecki Trio 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 26. The trio, which is comprised of keyboardist Benjie Porecki, drummer Mark Prince and bassist Zack Pride, plays classic jazz standards with fire and intensity. Doors open 6 p.m. and beer and wine will be available for purchase. Part of the Maritime Performance Series. Tickets are $20 online, $25 at the door. Go to bit.ly/MaritimeConcerts.

Calvert Marine Museum will host a fossil field experience 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 27, at Cove Point. Learn more about fossils, where to find them, how to identify them, and what they can tell us about the past. For adults and ages 8 and older that are accompanied by an adult. Registration required at least two business days prior. The cost is $25 per person. Go to www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.

Calvert Marine Museum will host a fossil club meeting and public lecture 1:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 28. The speaker is internationally recognized underwater photographer/videographer and shark naturalist Tanya Houppermans, will give a lecture titled Swimming with Sharks: Working with the World’s Most Misunderstood Creature. Go to www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.

Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum will host MAC Lab Tours 1 to 2 p.m. Thursdays. See Maryland’s archaeological curation, conservation and research lab, which is home to more than 10 million archaeological artifacts from across the state. Drop-ins are welcome but registration is encouraged. Go to jefpat.maryland.gov.

The Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum is open 1 to 4 p.m. daily. The museum is located at 4155 Mears Ave. In Chesapeake Beach. Call 410-257-3892 or go to www.chesapeakebeachrailwaymuseum.com.

Calvert Marine Museum will host an exhibit titled “Backyard Ballads” through December 2024. The micro exhibit will inspire visitors to engage in citizen science by learning how to create a welcoming bird habitat in their own yard, as well as learning how to identify our native bird species. Included with museum admission. Go to www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.