In the heart of the capital, the Museum of Historic Annapolis weaves together the stories of individuals who made the city. Photo by Historic Annapolis.
Just a few steps from City Dock, the Museum of Historic Annapolis adds a welcome new dimension to the living story of Maryland’s capital. Since opening its doors in 2022, it’s offered residents and visitors an introduction to the people who shaped the city across four centuries—not only colonial-era luminaries, but everyday citizens whose industry, artistry, and ideals made it thrive.
The Main Street attraction bills itself as the perfect first stop to begin a discovery tour of Annapolis, providing an overview of the many attractions within walking distance. In the three-story space, visitors can watch a seven-minute film, follow a century-by-century timeline of notable events, and learn the stories of residents’ contributions. Combined with visits to the William Paca House and Gardens and the Hogshead on Pinkney Street (a colonial warehouse), it’s an experience that captures what the creators call Annapolis: An American Story.
Mary-Angela Hardwick, who serves as Vice President for Education & Interpretation, joined Historic Annapolis seven years ago to head up the development of the new museum. A veteran exhibit developer who worked with the National Park Service to develop the Ellis Island historic site, she considers the Annapolis project a highlight of her career. “‘An American Story’ refers to the story of this community, of course, but it has an additional meaning: how this place is connected to our national story, with national significance,” she says.
Leaders of the civil rights era are featured in the Museum’s 20th-century displays. Photo by Dan Sadler.
From the start, Hardwick’s goal was to capture the individual experiences that contributed to the fabric of the city—not just the colonial and Revolutionary eras, but the turbulent Civil War years and the ongoing struggle for racial justice. “People love stories about people,” she says. “So, my first question was, who should I talk to in the community? What was their experience?” That led to a series of meetings with local historians, activists, authors, and families who’d called Annapolis home for many decades.
“Historic Annapolis has 3,000 objects. And as a Smithsonian Institution affiliate, we can also borrow from their collection to tell our stories. We looked very carefully at what kinds of items we could bring forth to share—including objects and images from families that show the 1900s immigrant experience,” Hardwick explains. “Every time I was introduced to someone here, whether Greek or Italian or Jewish, I’d say, ‘Tell me about your family’s life here in Annapolis,’ and they’d share their stories. Some even provided treasured photographs that ended up in our exhibit.” One family related the saga of their great-grandfather, Henry Ciccarone, who arrived in town as a 13-year-old immigrant and made his living as a tailor for the Navy, eventually offering his services to presidents. His story—and his original sewing machine, on loan from USNA—are now on display.
Given the Naval Academy’s stature as a venerated Annapolis institution, the museum reflects the city’s rich naval heritage as well. “You can’t do a history without it,” Hardwick notes. Descriptions of the founding of the Academy, its occupation by federal troops during the Civil War, and the generations of immigrants drawn by the prospect of Navy employment illustrate the strong bond between the town and its most famous attraction.
A current exhibit in the museum’s Community Gallery, Women in the Navy, spotlights trailblazing Academy graduates—aviators, astronauts, admirals, submariners and more—who have made their mark in the military over the 50 years since women became part of USNA. “The USNA alumni association came to us with the idea for this show and wanted to present it, and we worked with them to create it,” Hardwick explains, adding that new exhibits in the ever-changing Community Gallery keep the space alive for residents.
For first-time visitors, the museum has a room devoted to descriptions of all the Historic Annapolis properties, with each panel providing an entree to further exploration. “We want to let people know that there’s a lot more to do here. So much of the original historic fabric has been preserved, and visitors want to see that,” Hardwick says. “But people are curious to know other stories, too.”
Objects like an early printing press illuminate history for school groups. Photo by Historic Annapolis.
Across 400 years of history, there are many voices to be heard. Some Historic Annapolis properties offer first-person interpretations that bring stories to life for visitors. Costumed re-enactors like Demby, a valet for William Paca, and Marita, who experienced the civil rights era in segregated Annapolis, illustrate that the city’s history goes beyond 18th-century statesmen in powdered wigs.
That said, the city’s celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday promises to be a rich remembrance of those legendary figures. “Historic Annapolis has been doing a lot of wonderful programming with the Annapolis Commission, starting with a discussion between David Rubenstein and Andrea Mitchell at Maryland Hall on April 12 (sold out),” Hardwick says. “Our website, annapolis.org, has the full schedule of events for May, June, and July.” Independence Day festivities will feature fireworks, crafts, food, music—and a chance to experience a bit of time travel in our own hometown.
The Museum of Historic Annapolis, located at 99 Main Street (corner of Main and Green Streets), is open daily from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Annapolis.org.
