The St. Mary's County Tour 2025 takes place on Saturday, May 31, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., rain or shine. This special event offers access to exclusive properties open only on the day of the tour.
Online tickets are available for $41.75, which includes a $1.75 processing fee.
Children under ten years old are not permitted, and all attendees must purchase a full-price ticket. Pets are not allowed.
Please begin your tour at Historic St. Mary’s City Visitor Center at 18751 Hogaboom Lane, St. Mary’s City, MD.
St. Mary's County Tour
May 31, 2025
St. Mary’s County lies on the peninsula bounded by the famous “Oyster Waters”, the Patuxent and Potomac Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. In similar fashion this year’s tour features waterfront locations, houses and gardens on both sides of thesouthernmost tip of the peninsula. George Calvert, First Lord Baltimore, petitioned King Charles I in the early 1600’s for a land grant to establish a new colony where all religions could be practiced freely. George Calvert died before carrying out his settlement plans, and his son, Cecilius (Cecil) Calvert, Second Lord Baltimore inherited his estate. In November 1633, Cecil sent his brother Leonard Calvert, along with 140 settlers and adventurers aboard the Ark and the Dove bound for Maryland. The two ships landed at St. Clement’s Island on March 25, 1634, marking the birth of the Maryland colony. Following exploration of the region the settlers relocated further south on what is known today as the St. Mary’s River where they purchased from the Yaocomico Indians 30 miles of land, renaming it “St. Maries”. The Native Americans aided the colonist during the establishment of this new settlement. St. Mary’s City became Maryland’s first capital and Leonard Calvert its first Governor.
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Hosted by St. Mary's County Garden Club
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Lunch Information: Lunch is available by pre-order only. Delicious, boxed lunches may be purchased for $21.00 and can be enjoyed onsite (or available to go) from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.at the Dodge Performing Arts Center located on the grounds of St. Mary’s College of Maryland campus at 47855 College Dr., St. Mary’s City 20686. Lunch choices are a Chicken Salad sandwich on a croissant roll (includes chips and a cookie); a St. Mary’s County famous WJ Dent & Sons Stuffed Ham sandwich (includes coleslaw, chips and a brownie); a Vegetarian sandwich (includes chips and a cookie) or a Gluten Free Chicken Caesar Salad (includes chips). All lunches include a bottle of water. The cost is $21.00 per box and available by pre-paid reservations made by May 15, 2025. Your check is your reservation; please indicate your sandwich choice(s) on the check memo line. If you wish, please include your email address or phone number for confirmation of receipt. Please mail your check payable to the St. Mary’s County Garden Club, to Judy Moe, 41720 Knight Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. For additional information, please contact Judy at 240-538-3665 or email jemoe@earthlink.net. Restrooms are available at the Dodge Performing Arts Center.
Site 1. Tickets on the day of the tour may be purchased at the Historic St. Mary's City Visitor's Center, at 18751 Hogaboom Lane, St. Mary's City. Online tickets and Tour Bells are also accepted. Tour books will be given to ticket holders at this location. From the Visitor's Center you will be directed to two sites: The brick Chapel and Field and The New Dove, a reconstructed design based on the original ship. Limited transportation is available from here.
Site 2. After departing the Visitor’s Center, Pilgrims may visit the private estate of Rosecroft. Steeped in history and natural beauty, visitors will enjoy strolling the property under the canopies of majestic, mature trees intertwined with some of the oldest European boxwood in North America. Encompassing 20 acres on St. Mary’s River, Rosecroft’s history dates to 1639 when the plantation was owned by Maryland’s first tax collector during the period St. Mary’s City served as the state’s first capital. The present-day 20th century building replaces an earlier house that burned circa 1905. This is the third home built on the original foundation.
Site 3. Next, stop by the The Commemorative to Enslaved Peoples of Southern Maryland, an immersive art experience on the campus of St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Then pick up a Pre-order only Boxed lunch for dine-in or take out at the Dodge Performing Arts Center across Mattapany Road on College Drive.
Site 4. St. Ignatius Church in St. Inigoes is the Special Project and recipient of funds raised from the tour. The site of this 1785 chapel and its predecessors were located on a 2,000-acre tract of land called St. Inigoes Manor surveyed in 1639 for the Jesuit provincial. According to GIS data for St. Mary’s County, the Jesuits currently retain 8.35 acres making it the longest continuously held land in Maryland. No longer in regular use since 1930, the church is supported by a dedicated local community group established in 1952. As one of the oldest surviving Catholic churches in Maryland, its intricate decorative details dating back to the original structure and the enhancements made in 1817 are considered some of the most sophisticated in Tidewater Maryland.
Site 5. Plan to arrive at 2 pm inside St. Peter Claver Catholic Church on St. Peter Claver Road if you want to hear a special performance by the Men’s Choir. After surviving racial divisions and devastating fires, the current church was designed by renowned architect Phillip Frohman, famed for his work on the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Completed in 1935, the churches pews were donated by Elizabeth Drexel, the sister of now Saint Katherine Drexel. In accordance with its mission to provide to provide Catholic education for its children, the church constructed its first Elementary School in 1917 becoming the third parochial school for African Americans in the Tri-county region. In 1924 the world’s first order of Black nuns, the Oblate Sisters of Providence arrived to lead the school. Four years later after a fire destroyed the school a new building quickly replaced it expanding to include grades 6 – 8. Financial support for the reconstruction effort came from Mother Katherine Drexel (b.1858-d.1955) Canonized by Pope John Paul in 2000). For nearly five decades the school provided a high-quality education for African American children in the St. Inigoes Mission until 1966. The former convent now houses an Adoration Chapel and administrative offices.
Site 6. The last stop on the Potomac River side is a private home, Calvert’s Rest in Ridge. In the late 17th century Calvert’s Rest served as the residence of William Calvert, the only son of Maryland’s first Governor, Leonard Calvert. The house offers a handsome example of early Southern Maryland architecture. Despite substantial alterations in the 19th and early 20th centuries the small brick house later reclaimed its key 18th century architectural appearance. The property was purchased by the current owner’s uncle in the 1980’s. Come see the fine results of more than 25 years of restoration efforts.
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Site 7. Moving to the Patuxent River side of the peninsula in Dameron, Wingfield, a private home waits to be explored. With the 2001 house,1850 livestock barn, 3-airplane hangar, 1200’ airstrip and a floating dock there’s a lot to see. Xella Winery will offer wine tastings in the boxwood courtyard beginning at noon.
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Site 8. Finish your day at the Whittles Farm, a private sprawling 350-acre property on St. Jerome Creek with a modern farmhouse designed to combine farmhouse charm with contemporary elements. As a special treat “America’s #1 Farm Distillery”, Tobacco Barn Distillery will be on site with sampling and selling Maryland’s premiere bourbon along with other whiskey’s and a special “Maryland House and Garden Cocktail from 2 to 5p.m.
Restrooms available at Sites #1, #5, and the Dodge Performing Arts Center at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
