Annapolis and Anne Arundel County has a long and illustrious American and maritime history for you to explore. Wander through our historic shopping districts and towns. Enjoy the charm of an 18th century farmhouse or a colonial village in historic London Town. In addition to its maritime history, Anne Arundel County is also rich in African-American history and culture. Come and discover our area’s historical roots. Check out one of the many interesting history and heritage attractions below.

Annapolis Carriage
Turn back time on a historic tour of Annapolis via a horse-drawn carriage. Meet us at the Museum Store ( 77 Main St.) or HistoryQuest (99 Main St). Perfect for parties, weddings, special occasions. Reservations suggested.

Annapolis Maritime Museum
Preserving and teaching 400 years of maritime history. Current exhibit: " The Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse Experience," gift shop. Thomas Point Lighthouse tours available mid-summer. Open Sat & Sun Call for hours. Group tours by appointment.

Annapolis Tours by Watermark
Explore the local waterways on the Chesapeake Bay’s largest fleet of vessels. Walk side by side with historically-attired guides through Annapolis’ famous landmarks. For an unforgettable corporate meeting or that extra special social occasion, charter one of our luxury yachts. By water or by land, your unique Annapolis experience awaits you with Watermark!

Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum
Explore 40 acres of railroad history at the Birthplace of American Railroading. See and touch the most important railroad collection in the Western Hemisphere. Seasonal train rides available.

Banneker-Douglass Museum
Museum of African American history and culture, changing exhibits, lectures, films, tours and educational programs. Open Tue-Fri., 10a.m. - 3 p.m.; Sat, noon - 4p.m.

Benson-Hammond House
The Benson-Hammond House, circa 1830, is one of the last surviving farmhouses of the once booming local farm industry. Fully furnished, the house also serves as a period museum. Tours are available. Handicapped accessible.

Capital City Colonials
Our public walking tours include Annapolis-in-an-Hour which is a 1 hour orientation tour; Historic District 101, a longer tour with colonial guides taking you inside buildings; and the Annapolis Food History Tour which includes food samplings about town. Apr. – Oct. Tours leave from 36 Market Space Annapolis, MD 21401 Phone: 410-295-9715 Website: www.capitalcitycolonials.com Email: susan@capitalcitycolonials.com

Charles Carroll House of Annapolis, Inc
Home of Charles Carroll, the only Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence and one of the wealthiest men in colonial America. Partially restored House, 18th century terraced gardens overlooking Spa Creek. The house is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays noon to 4:00pm June through October.

Chase-Lloyd House
Georgian mansion built in 1769 by Samuel Chase, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The house is open for tours March 1-December 30, Mon-Sat. Closed Jan.-Feb., holidays and the eves of holidays.

Discover Annapolis Tours
One-hour air-conditioned trolley tours depart from the Visitors Center, 26 West Street, April - November (winter schedule varies), to explore waterfront neighborhoods, U.S. Naval Academy (exterior), colonial history and surprises!

Galesville Heritage Society
Galesville Heritage Society, Inc. operates the Galesville Heritage Museum, in the Carrie Weedon House at 988 Main Street The Museum is open on Sundays from April through November, 1 - 4 p.m. or by appointment. The Heritage Museum contains many interesting artifacts from the surrounding area, collected histories and memorabilia. Visitors may browse through the library of reference books on local history or view the videotaped interviews with local residents.

Historic Annapolis Foundation
Offering two self-guided walking tours, "Historic Annapolis Walk with Walter Cronkite" and the "African American Heritage Walking Tour." available at the Historic Annapolis Foundation Museum Store.

Historic Annapolis Museum
Discover all the ways to encounter three centuries of history in Annapolis! Complete orientation center, multimedia presentations, exhibits, and gift shop. Starting point for walking tours, tickets for venues, events and more.

Kunta Kinte Foundation Inc.
The Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation supports development initiatives for the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial located at the City Dock in Annapolis. The Foundation encourages greater study and awareness of African American culture, history, and genealogy and supports the research of family heritage. Resource Center open to the public.

St. John's College
Originally King William's School founded in 1696. Site of Revolutionary and Civil War encampments. A long tradition of liberal arts education with present great books curriculum. Traces its origins back to King William's School founded in 1696. Site of Revolutionary and Civil War encampments. Continues a long tradition of liberal arts education with present "great books"

The Annapolis Coin & Currency Club
Sponsor four coin and currency shows a year at The Knight of Columbus Hall in Annapolis/Edgewater. Thirty coin and currency dealers from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia buy,sell and trade old US and World coins and currency. The hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. September 19, 2010 and November 28, 2010. The 2011 dates are March 27, June 26, September 11 and November 27.

U.S. Naval Academy/Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center
The U.S. Naval Academy is the undergraduate college of the U.S. Navy. Graduates become Ensigns in the Navy or 2nd Lieutenants in the Marine Corps. The first stop on a visit to “the Yard” is the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center, located inside Gate 1 (King George Street), which provides visitor information, a free film “The Call to Serve,” exhibits, public and group guided walking tours (fee) and Naval Academy Gift Shop. The Visitor Center is open January-February, 9:00am-4:00pm and March-December, 9:00am-5:00pm, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Guided walking tours are conducted daily. For more information call 410-293-8687 or go online to www.navyonline.com.

Waterfront Warehouse
Located in the Historic Annapolis Museum. Visit a rare surviving example of the small warehouses that dotted the Annapolis waterfront in the 18th and early 19th centuries. See a large 3-D model of the waterfront as it existed in the 18th century. The model is currently under renovation and will be open to the public February 2013.

Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center, Inc.
The Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center and Memorial Courtyard is the centerpiece of the $27 million dollar Bates Heritage Park which opened in a public celebration, September 2006. The Legacy Center is dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of Wiley H. Bates High School, formerly (1933 to 1966) the only high school for African Americans in Anne Arundel County. It is a unique cultural arts heritage museum displaying historical documents and collections that preserve the Bates Spirit that yet lives.