Photography courtesy Historic London Town & Gardens
Located on the South River in Edgewater, Historic London Town & Gardens (HLTG) offers a window into the past—providing an opportunity for visitors to reflect on life during the colonial era and contemplate the stories left behind. Uniquely blending the remnants of a preserved colonial port town, archaeological excavations, and breathtaking gardens, the 23-acre riverfront park and living history museum fosters a vital understanding of the past and its relevance to the present.
Founded in 1683 as the original county seat of Anne Arundel County, London Town served as a bustling hub for trade and travel that rivaled Annapolis. The colonial tobacco port thrived for approximately 100 years before fading away—and essentially disappearing—during the late 18th century due to changes in trade routes and the growth of Annapolis as a port.
Today, the only original structure that remains on the site is the William Brown House, which was built ca. 1760 as an upscale tavern. The building later became the county’s almshouse from 1828 to 1965. The heart of London Town’s historic area, the William Brown House is a designated a National Historic Landmark.
Centuries after its heyday, London Town continues to intrigue visitors who are captivated by the “lost” colonial town. A rich part of Maryland’s history, HLTG offers an enlightening glimpse into the past.
“There’s something irresistible about the idea that an entire town can almost disappear,” says Kristin DeMarco, executive director, HLTG. “Roads converged here, ferries carried people across the South River, ships came and went, and taverns were filled with sailors, merchants, travelers, servants, and townspeople. Today, much of the community exists in archaeological findings, historic records, and the stories we continue to discover. There is a wonderful sense that London Town still has secrets to tell.”
Photography courtesy Historic London Town & Gardens
Everyday Colonial Life
By utilizing its dual identity as a living history museum and a botanical sanctuary, HLTG confronts the past with candor and empathy. While the juxtaposition of beautiful gardens with somber exhibits depicting the Middle Passage evoke a stark emotional contrast, HLTG does not temper the harsh realities of the past and realizes that the history of London Town cannot be told without acknowledging the tragedy of slavery.
According to DeMarco, research has identified 961 people who were enslaved at London Town, and their stories are an essential part of understanding the colonial port town.
“You really can’t go anywhere in London Town without encountering history,” DeMarco says. “The gardens don’t exist separately from that story. Their beauty gives visitors space to slow down, reflect, and process very difficult truths. Understanding the experiences of others is one of the most important ways we can learn from the past and help ensure that its hardest lessons aren’t repeated.”
London Town was designated a Site of Memory by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Slave Route Project.
“Historic London Town & Gardens offers visitors a unique perspective of our region’s early colonial history,” says Bob Leib, chairman of the board of trustees, HLTG. “We tell the stories of everyday seafarers, merchants, and tradesmen as well as the enslaved and impoverished. These are the stories of a common town and everyday people, and we provide a realistic and grounded connection to our community’s past.”
Photography courtesy Historic London Town & Gardens
Archaeological Findings
To continue to unearth more about London Town’s past, HLTG conducts ongoing archaeological excavations in partnership with the Anne Arundel County Lost Towns Project. The discoveries range from everyday colonial items, such as buttons, buckles, and shards of ceramic, to the deeply emotional discovery of the grave of an enslaved six-year-old child who had been buried under the floorboards of a colonial building.
HLTG continues to work with archeologists and the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) to uncover remnants of London Town’s past.
“One of the most exciting things about London Town is that we are still discovering it,” DeMarco says. “For a place we refer to as a ‘lost’ town, we find pieces of it all the time.”
Exquisite Gardens
In addition to history and archaeology, HLTG is nationally acclaimed for its ornamental and woodland gardens. Visitors can stroll the gardens while admiring acres of horticultural splendor. From magnolias to hollies, the year-round gardens offer a serene setting for relaxation.
HLTG’s gardens have been certified as a Level II Arboretum by ArbNet (arbnet.org).
Photography courtesy Historic London Town & Gardens
America’s 250th Anniversary Celebration
HLTG will commemorate the nation’s semiquincentennial on October 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. when it hosts its premier annual fundraising event, “A Toast to History.” Guests can stroll the beautiful campus as colonial history comes to life. The event features guided tours, colonial cocktail history presentations, living history interpreters, live music, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and more.
“America’s 250th anniversary gives us an opportunity not only to celebrate our nation’s history but also to reflect on the people whose lives shaped it,” DeMarco suggests. “We are incredibly proud that we can play a role in commemorating this milestone and help visitors connect our national story to the story of London Town.”
To purchase tickets, visit historiclondontown.org/education/programs.
