Recreation & Parks - Museum Division
Welcome to the Museum Division of St. Mary's County
We are the stewards of each of the museums and historic sites listed below, each with a unique history that is woven into the historical and cultural fabric of St. Mary's County, the Mother County of Maryland.
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St. Clement's Island: Site of the arrival of the first Maryland colonists in 1634.
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St. Clements Island Museum: A distinct destination interpreting Maryland's earliest history with the colonial arrival at St. Clement's Island in 1634 bringing with them the concepts of religious toleration and separation of church and state.
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Piney Point Lighthouse: Constructed in 1836, it is one of only four in existence today on the Potomac River, and the oldest lighthouse on the Potomac.
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Piney Point Lighthouse Museum & Historic Park: A facility that offers interpretation of the historic Piney Point Lighthouse, the U-1105 Black Panther Shipwreck Dive Preserve, Potomac River maritime history and more.
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Drayden African American Schoolhouse c. 1890: This recently-preserved schoolhouse stands as a testament to the importance of education in the African American Community and their struggles in the days of segregation.
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The Old Jail Museum & Leonardtown Visitor Center: Built in 1876 and in use until 1945 by the oldest sheriff’s office in the nation, this granite block and brick structure retains its original upstairs cells where prisoners were once segregated by gender and race.
We invite you to explore our sites and exciting opportunities by clicking on the links at the bottom. Please visit our sites and gift shops, enjoy our programs and special events, and discover our extensive research opportunities.
