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Every Wednesday & Saturday: Black History Open House
Come see the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) medal of honor winner exhibits at the USCT Interpretive Center in the Lexington Manor Passive Park
during a free open house for all ages.
On the trail between the Lexington Manor Passive Park and John G. Lancaster Park, you can learn about the Civil War era in St. Mary's County and the African American troops on interpretive panels that lead to the statue of the soldier. Inside the building, you can learn about the local medal of honor winners who served in the Colored Troops and fought for the Union during the Civil War.
There is also an exhibit about the segregated school system in the county, including information about the Drayden African American Schoolhouse,
which is open by appointment and on the first Saturday of the month,
April through October.
EVENT IS FREE.
Occurs every Wednesday and Saturday in February, 10am to 2pm.
Location: U.S. Colored Troops Interpretive Center, 21675 S. Coral Drive, Lexington Manor Passive Park, Lexington Park, MD 20653
Sun. Feb. 5th: Anansegro of Ghana - Kofi the Storyteller
Kofi Dennis brings the vibrant rhythms of a West African village to life
though music, storytelling, drumming and dance.
Using authentic instruments, this Ghanaian native leads lively call-and-response songs, games and movement that gets the audience on their feet in a high-energy exploration of African cultural traditions.
This event is co-sponsored by the St. Mary's County NAACP and the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions.
In Her Own Words: Eliza Isabel Waters
Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions members were saddened to learn of the recent passing at age 93, of Eliza Isabel Waters. We are so grateful to have a recording of her video interview and we are happy to be able to share it here.
UCAC History and Research Committee members interviewed Ms. Waters on October 19, 2016. She was then one of five surviving students of Drayden African American School in Drayden, MD. The school operated from 1890 to 1942 during the era of segregated schooling.
Bitmoji Classrooms
Organizations around St. Mary's County created Bitmoji classrooms* to showcase local history resources and to encourage more visitation from our schools and community. Content aligns with 4th and 5th grade curriculum, but the Bitmoji pages have resources for students of all ages!
*A Bitmoji classroom is a virtual classroom where educators can deliver content to students in a fun and engaging way.
UCAC & NAACP volunteers worked with the Museum Division to develop sections on Drayden School, the UCAC monuments.
For more information, contact:
Adrianne” Dillahunt, Equity Assurance Coordinator for SMCPS
301-475-5511
Also, learn more about Elmer Brown Freedom Park
what we've accomplished
Historic Sites
Juneteenth Celebration
Historic Sites
Marked 21 Historic Sites of African American in St. Mary's began in 1934.
Oral Histories
Juneteenth Celebration
Historic Sites
Logged 175+ Oral Histories of African American life in St. Mary's County.
Online Depository
Juneteenth Celebration
Juneteenth Celebration
Created an Online Depository for African American Experiences.
Juneteenth Celebration
Juneteenth Celebration
Juneteenth Celebration
Host the Annual African American Heritage Celebration Family Event in St. Mary's County.