Morning

From the 1700s through today, one-third or more of the population of the City of Annapolis has been African American. Initially most were slaves; however, by 1850 an equal number of free blacks and slaves lived here. In the 19th-century, free African Americans changed the character of Annapolis — establishing their own businesses, neighborhoods, and churches. Visit their historic churches and neighborhoods through a walking tour from the African American Heritage Guide, available at the Visitor Center. Sites included are: Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial, Newman Street, Rideout House, the Stanton Center, Maynard-Burgess House, Jonas Green House, Banneker-Douglass Museum, Henry Price House, Thurgood Marshall Memorial, Fleet Street, Galilean Fisherman Free School, East Street. Plan to spend at least 2 hours on the tour.

Lunch

Settled 350 years ago, the quaint village of Galesville features historic homes and buildings, a museum, good food, and a waterfront setting. Enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants – Skippers Pier, Herrington on the Bay, and Chesapeake Beach Resort and Spa have great lunch offerings – all of which are minutes from Galesville.

Afternoon

At the Carrie Weedon House operated by the Galesville Heritage Society, view exhibits depicting 350 years of this historic watermen’s village and the surrounding communities. After leaving the museum drive through the village and view the Galesville Rosenwald School, c. 1929. Slaves often were prevented from learning to read and write, although many taught themselves. Few free blacks got a formal education before the Civil War. After the Civil War, Maryland mandated free public schools for all children. When local residents balked at educating non-whites, African Americans raised funds to help build and staff their own schools. “Rosenwald Schools” were built with grants from Julius Rosenwald, owner of Sears, Roebuck & Co. This community center is one of six that survive today. Please allow 1 hour to visit the Galesville Heritage Museum and drive through Galesville.

At Historic London Town and Gardens discover the remnants of a colonial merchant town on the South River and walk among the scenic gardens. This “lost town” was a major port of call in the 1730s for ships taking tobacco to Britain and bringing African slaves, indentured workers, and convicts to Maryland. In recent archaeological digs, the grave of a six-year-old child, believed to be an African slave, was discovered under the floorboards of a long-vanished building (c.1730). While common in Barbados and the Caribbean, it is the first such slave burial reported in the Chesapeake region. Your tour will last approximately 2 hours.

Click Here to download the African American Heritage Guide.