Museum matters

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

Charles

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 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 Maryland Veterans Museum at Patriot Park will host John Peter Thompson, who will give a lecture titled “Power Women 2” 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 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 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 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.

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 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

Historic St. Mary’s City will host May Day 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 4, in St. Mary’s City. Maypole dance, crowning of the May Queen, dancing, arts and crafts and live music by The Foggy Bottom Morris Men. Admission fees apply. Contact 301-994-4370 or info@digshistory.org.

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.

St. Mary’s County Museum Division will host a dinner cruise 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 12. The topic is The Lights Are Not Safe. Part of the 2024 Dinner and Cruise Series. Tickets are $85, or $160 per couple and include boat ride, water tour, dessert reception and seafood dinner. Call 301-769-2222 or go to www.eventbrite.com.

Historic St. Mary’s City is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday 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 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.

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.

St. John’s Site Museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at 47645 Margaret Brent Way in Historic St. Mary’s City. See an archaeological treasure trove of artifacts and information located on the original site of the home, which was built in 1638 by John Lewger, a close friend of Lord Baltimore. Also view a fully open excavated site, learn about the people who made their mark here and how archaeologists uncovered the mystery. A free exhibit of Historic St. Mary’s City. Go to www.hsmcdigshistory.org/exhibits/st-johns-site-museum/.

Calvert

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.

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 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.

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 & 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.

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.

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/.