Frequently Asked Questions

Leashed animals are welcome to walk with their owners on all trail paths, with the exception of the Godiah Spray Tobacco Plantation. Due to safety concerns, animals are not allowed into the Plantation exhibit area (with the exception of service animals). Pets are not allowed inside buildings.

The museum is open March through November, Tuesday–Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visit Admission & Hours for more information.

When the living history sites are closed, visitors are welcome to explore the grounds and enjoy the interpretive signage throughout the museum.

The gift shop does not currently offer online orders. The Shop hours are listed here. If you have any questions for please contact the shopkeeper by emailing emma.bourne@maryland.gov.

No. In order to keep the livestock healthy, we do not allow visitors to feed them.

A 1 mile loop will take you from the Visitor Center to the Woodland Indian Hamlet, Town Center, Maryland Dove, The Shop at Farthing’s Ordinary, the Brick Chapel of 1667, and back to the Visitor Center. You may wish to drive to the St. John’s Site Museum and the Godiah Spray Tobacco Plantation (½ mile from the Visitor Center). Check out our Museum Map for more information.

Yes, you do need a ticket to visit the living history sites – the Maryland Dove, the Woodland Indian Hamlet, Town Center, and the Godiah Spray Tobacco Plantation. You may purchase tickets at the Visitor Center.

• $10 General Admission
• $ 9 Seniors
• $ 6 Students, ages 6-18
• Free Children ages 5 and under

Visit Admission & Hours for more information.

You can reach us through the following methods:​

• Phone: 301-994-4370

• Toll-Free: 800-762-1634

• Email: hsmcc.info@maryland.gov

• Mailing Address:
  Historic St. Mary’s City
  18751 Hogaboom Lane
  St. Mary’s City, MD 20686

• Website: www.hsmcdigshistory.org​

For more information or to get in touch with specific departments, please visit our Contact Us page.

Guided tours are a great way to explore the museum! Our knowledgeable staff lead engaging experiences tailored to a variety of ages and interests.

To schedule a tour or learn more, contact our Public Programs office at hsmcc.groups@maryland.gov or call 301-994-4371 or 301-994-4372. You can also visit our Group Tours page for details and booking information.

We recommend allowing about four hours to explore the living history areas and the Visitor Center’s exhibit of artifacts. If you’d like to include the St. John’s Site Museum, plan for an additional hour to make the most of your visit.

Great question—but no, the current Maryland Dove is a modern reproduction, built between 2019 and 2022 at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. It was designed to reflect what the original 17th-century Dove may have looked like, based on historical research.

To learn more about the ship and the story of the original Dove of 1634, visit www.MarylandDove.org.

While there are no on-site restaurants currently in operation, visitors have a few options:​

• The Gift Shop offers a selection of snacks and beverages to enjoy during your visit. ​

• For more substantial meals, the Great Room at St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s Campus Center—just a short walk from the museum—features an extensive buffet most days.​

• Additionally, there are various dining establishments in the surrounding area. For recommendations, feel free to inquire at the Visitor Center or explore options through St. Mary’s County Tourism.

Underground. When the colonial capital moved to Annapolis in 1695, the name remained. Some of the buildings that once stood here were dismantled and their parts re-used. Others were left to decay. Because the site of the city was farmed and relatively undisturbed, remnants of the city remain buried underground for future archaeologists, making this area one of the finest 17th-century colonial archaeology sites in the nation.

The State of Maryland. HSMC is an independent entity under the Governor’s Office. It is governed by the Historic St. Mary’s City Commission.

Yes, you may schedule multiple visits to see your selected venue. If you plan to schedule your visit during museum operating hours (typically Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.—4 p.m.), you should contact the Events Manager prior to visiting. It isn’t necessary for the Event Manager to be there unless you are visiting The Inn.

Yes. Your selected caterer must be insured.

We do not recommend decorating until the day of your event – humidity, squirrels and birds can ruin outside decorations. The weather can affect fresh arrangements so it is best to decorate the day of your event. Our staff works with you to schedule a time to decorate knowing that you may be working around hair and makeup appointments.

That is between you and the barserve business or caterer that has their off-site liquor license that you hire. If you are providing the alcohol, the alcohol cannot be brought to any of our public venues until a staff member is present.

All the wedding venues in ‘Town Center’ have use of Farthing’s Bathroom which is ADA compliant and climate controlled. For weddings or events at The Inn at Brome Howard, you would be responsible for the need to rent a portable bathroom. The Inn itself has an ADA bathroom.

HSMC has a number of beautiful and unique venues that can be leased for private and corporate events. For more information, contact the Events Coordinator at mary.bohanan@maryland.gov, or 240-895-4991.

A contingency hold can be placed on a date and site but must be confirmed with a contract and deposit within two weeks. If, during that time, another client requests the same venue and date, you will have the right of first refusal and 24 hours to provide the contract and non-refundable deposit.

The outdoor areas of the State House and The Inn can accommodate 500+ with the use of tents. The State House can accommodate 90-140 depending on type of use and tables used. The Inn can accommodate 60 for a standup reception in the two main dining rooms.

We have household current at all of our sites – some have more outlets than others. The HSMC Event Manager will work with you to determine your electrical needs and if renting a generator is necessary. Generally, only a generator is necessary if you are having a band or your caterer is cooking on site.

The wedding party can get dressed on the second floor of the State House. If you have rented the weekend package at The Inn at Brome Howard, the wedding party can get dressed in rooms there.

We watch the weather predictions closely before any event and always have an alternate plan. That plan may be to move the ceremony to inside the State House or move the ceremony to under the tent on the dance floor. If you have rented a tent, our tent and other rental companies have windowed sides that can be rented as well. We will work with you to reschedule, should a more extreme weather situation occur.

The official address for the State House is: 47418 Old State House Road, St. Mary’s City, MD 20686. The official address for The Inn at Brome Howard is: 18281 Rosecroft Rd., St. Mary’s City, MD 20686.

All personal decorations are to be removed at the end of your event. If you have rented The Inn at Brome Howard for the weekend, you do not have to remove your decorations until Sunday at check-out time.

Unless you are renting Maryland Dove as part of your event, it cannot be guaranteed that Maryland Dove will be docked during your event.