St Michaels Museum at St Mary's Square
A Look at Life In Old St Michaels
About 1778, as one of the earliest attempts at planned development, James Braddock laid out St Mary’s Square to serve as the Town Center, enclosed by gated entrances. In addition to residences, various enterprises included a church, schools and a Market House for farmers to sell their goods.
The museum consists of three 19th Century buildings moved to St Mary’s Square from their original locations. The complex occupies the former site of St Michaels High School ca. 1880.
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 The Sewell House, ca. 1865, was the home of a local waterman Jeremiah Sewell and his family. It was moved to the site in 1964 when the museum was established. The house is furnished in period pieces reflecting life of a typical working family at that time. |
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 The Chaney House was moved to the site in 2004. It was built by three free African-American brothers about 1850. The two room house is typical of its genre and one of few remaining today. After the brothers were able to buy his freedom from slavery their father came to live with them. The Chaney House Project is currently the highest priority for the Museum. Interior remodeling is complete in 2010 and work has begun on a plan to establish a library and resource center to serve the whole region. This will allow safe storage and display for photos, maps, books and other documents that will be readily available to the community. Click here for more Information on Chaney House Project |
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Built in 1860 as a commercial structure, the Teetotem Building got its name because of its roof’s resemblance to a toy top of the period. Originally located on Willow St, the building served variously as a magistrate’s office, a town jail, a saddle shop, a mortuary, a bank and a barber shop. Today the building displays highlights of various aspects of St Michaels’ commercial life in the 18th and 19th centuries
Experience the Real St Michaels with A Docent Led Walking Tour
Starting on May 21st and through October 2011, St Michaels Museum at St Mary’s Square will again offer regular docent led walking tours at 10:30 AM on Saturdays. These tours will, on alternate weeks, highlight “Young Frederick Douglass in St Michaels” and “Historic St Michaels Waterfront”. All tours will start from St Michaels Museum at the corner of E. Chestnut Street and St Mary’s Square.
For reservations call 410-745-0530 before 9 PM on Friday evening. A docent tour leader may not be available if there are no advance reservations. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for youth (6 to 17).
For further information:
Website – www.stmichaelsmuseum.org
email: stmichaelsmuseum@atlanticbb.net
Phone: 410-745-0530
Choose Either
Young Frederick Douglass in
St. Michaels Tour
Follow in the footsteps of Frederick Douglass during his teenage years in St. Michaels. Arriving as Frederick Bailey, a rebellious 15 year old, in 1833 and leaving in 1836 determined to acquire his freedom, his years in St. Michaels were critical in the development of this great man who went on to become probably the most important African American figure in the 19th century. The museum's 90 minute walking tour will offer an historical perspective of Mr. Douglass' life in enslavement and his return to reconcile with his former master.
Frederick Douglass Tour Dates
May 21
June 4 & 18
July 16 & 30
August 13 & 27
September 10 & 24
October 8 & 22
OR
Historic St. Michaels
Waterfront Tour
Enjoy a leisurely walk through the historic waterfront district. See many original and restored houses from the 1800s while learning about life in a small waterfront village and the vibrant shipbuilding and seafood industries of that era. Included are colorful stories of many of the people and events. Along the way you will learn of the history of the layout of St. Michaels by James Braddock, of the Battle of 1813 and the Cannonball House, of St. Mary's Square, of the transition of Church Cove to Muskrat Green, what happened at Hells' Crossing, of Frederick Douglass' 1877 return to reconcile with his master at the Dodson House, how Honeymoon Bridge was named, the seafood industry on Navy Point, plus a lot more. 
Historic Waterfront Tour Dates
May 28
June 11 & 25
July 9 & 23
August 6 & 20
September 3 & 17
October 1, 15 & 29
Click on Map for Self Guided Tour Map
Thanks to the Walking Tour Map Committee, the museum has available, free, a new and expanded version of "A Walking Tour of St. Michaels." This brochure allows you to identify historically important buildings and learn a little about their history as you stroll through the historic areas of St. Michaels. Stop by the museum to pick up a copy or click on the brochure cover (left) to download a pdf of the walking tour guide.
St Michaels Museum Contact Information and Directions
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Click to get directions to St. Michaels Museum. |
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Click to see a map of the local area. |
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P.O.Box 714 St Michaels, MD 21663
410-745-9561
stmichaelsmuseum@atlanticbb.net
