{{unknown}}You have options on a cold winter evening. You could stay home hibernating until the spring thaw, maybe catch a football game or binge on Netflix… OR… you could expand your horizons and venture out to attend some of the winter lecture series popping up around Annapolis.

Annapolis offers plenty of great ways to assuage your cabin fever and satisfy your intellect this season. On a recent chilly January evening, we attended a fascinating lecture about the Ecological History of the Chesapeake Bay. Led by a renowned paleoecology professor, the talk was part of a series offered at the Annapolis Maritime Museum, a favorite Eastport institution. The Museum occupies the former McNasby Oyster Company, a perfect venue for the winter lineup of eight accomplished speakers covering maritime history, science, the environment, and maritime art.

Winter Lecture Series Annapolis Maritime Museum

Winter lecture series appear on the calendars of institutions all around town. Historic Annapolis has lined up some fascinating history topics, while the Naval Academy Museum has its annual Shifley Lecture Series. The Maryland State Archives facility on Taylor Avenue offers an intriguing Lunch and Learn program. St. John’s College has various seminars, as well as history lectures sponsored by the Anne Arundel County Trust for Preservation. If the environment is your thing, then you could check out the monthly Green Drinks events offered by Annapolis Green.

Winter Lecture Series Maryland State Archives

There are author talks at local book stores, nautical discussions at yacht clubs, and policy summits during the Maryland legislative session. Presentations by local financial experts and other industry groups are sometimes offered at restaurants around town.

We found ourselves out on a recent evening absorbing a talk about Social Security benefits given by a local advisor and friend. I know, Social Security is hardly anyone’s favorite subject, but this otherwise mind-numbing topic was actually pretty interesting. The complimentary refreshments didn’t hurt either. Hey, it’s never too late to plan ahead.\

Winter Lecture Series St. John's College

If your interests tend more toward science, archaeology, and history, then try the lectures at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, situated in Edgewater, Maryland, on the largest preserved land site on the Chesapeake’s western shore. While you’re down south, check out the Captain Avery Museum on the West River in Shady Side Maryland for its charming winter luncheon series, complete with homemade soup and bread.

You can’t go wrong with any of these. The venues are warm and convivial, the speakers are brilliant, and the topics are fascinating. Hey, it beats hibernating, and you might even learn something--right?

Find local 2018 winter lecture series here:

 

Photos courtesy of VisitAnnapolis.org