This is the year to discover the special place where Maryland began. On this Tidewater peninsula nestled between the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay, you’ll find that compelling blend of old and new and quaint and trendy you associate with your favorite Chesapeake Bay destinations. St. Mary’s County is just a short drive south of Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Annapolis, so it’s an easy trip—travel by car or by boat and enjoy Maryland’s first place!

Easy and affordable

A dedicated website, www.Maryland375.com, contains a wealth of information for planning a trip or getaway to the place where the Free State took shape. It includes weekend getaway packages, family activities and prize drawings. The website links to the digital commemorative destination guide, which may also be downloaded, ordered, or obtained at any Maryland Welcome Center. In the guide you’ll find the Discover St. Mary’s County Card, a value card linked to deals and discounts offered by participating attractions, restaurants and shops throughout the county.

Fun!

Over 40 of the county’s annual events, starting in early spring, have added special “Celebrate 375” components. “Not to miss” spring events include the Piney Point Lighthouse Festival on May 9 and 10, and the Air Expo on May 23 and 24, featuring the Blue Angels. A special Maryland Birthday Celebration Weekend is set for June 19 and 20. On Friday night, the world premiere of a symphony commissioned for Maryland’s 375th will be performed at the popular St. Mary’s College River Concert Series. On Saturday at adjacent Historic St. Mary’s City, the 17th century will come alive with tall ships, re-enactments, pageantry, more music and fireworks.

Historic!

In fact, 2009 is the year when Historic St. Mary’s City takes center stage. The 800-acre outdoor living history museum and archaeological park along the St. Mary’s River tell the story of the state’s first years when it served as the capital of Maryland. It was at Historic St. Mary’s City that America took its first steps toward the First Amendment right of religious freedom as well as toward participatory democracy. This cosmopolitan town once thrived with taverns, shops and lodging houses but was abandoned to sink back into the soil when the Legislature moved to Annapolis. Today, the “city” rises again with new stories to tell about life in early America. New attractions join the Maryland Dove, the Godiah Spray Plantation and the Wicomico Indian Hamlet including the Brick Chapel of 1667 and St. John’s Freehold—a state-of-the-art archaeological museum. To truly appreciate the challenges faced by early Marylanders, you should include St. Clement’s Island in your visit. The St. Clement’s Island Museum on the mainland tells the story of the voyage of the first hopeful colonists. Saturday and Sunday from Memorial Day weekend through the end of September, a water taxi makes the scenic run to the nearby island where the colonists landed. A large cross erected to mark Maryland’s founding now shares the island’s skyline with a new attraction, the reconstructed Blackistone Lighthouse. The lighthouse is open to the public the first weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of each month from June through October.

More information on these events and attractions may be found at www.Maryland375.com, at www.tour.stmarysmd.com, and at www.stmaryscity.org. You may also call the St. Mary’s County Division of Tourism at 301-475-4200 ext. 1404 or 800-327-9023.