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Historic Sotterley

Historic Sotterley Slave Cabin with mansion in the background

Historic Sotterley welcomes visitors to access and enjoy its grounds, gardens, trails, museum store and guided tours. 

Just a short drive from Washington, DC and Alexandria, Historic Sotterley boasts 94 acres of pristine farmland and over 20 authentic structures including an expansive Manor House and original slave dwelling, providing a stunning backdrop for our stories.

Through various methods and formats, visitors can engage and connect with the history of Historic Sotterley, Inc. On site, visitors can choose either a self-guided grounds tour or a guided one led by a docent; both of which will incorporate the histories of all the people of Sotterley – including land acknowledgement honoring the indigenous peoples, and stories of strength and resilience of the enslaved and African-Americans after emancipation. Virtual programming, available online, highlights the stories and work of Sotterley’s descendants and our Speaker Series videos.

Contact/Location

44300 Sotterley Lane Hollywood, MD 20636
38.376088, -76.5445881

https://sotterley.org/

Hours of Operation

Visitor Center

Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm

Offices and MAC

Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm

Park Grounds

7 days a week, dawn to dusk

Grounds are open Sunday-Saturday all year; Guided tours are available Thursday-Sunday starting the first weekend in May through October 31st.

 

Historic Sotterley is a UNESCO Middle Passage site.

 

Highlights

Provides information and resources regarding the history of Black, Indigenous and Other People of Color in a variety of formats:

SOTTERLEY'S VISION: To foster a better understanding of our world today by providing a living link to America’s complex history and legacy of slavery.
SOTTERLEY'S MISSION: To preserve our historic structures and natural environment and use the powerful stories of our land, lives, and labor to bring American history to life while serving as an educational and cultural resource.

Archaeological sites with interpretive panels. These sites and panels are accessible on Park trails.

FAQ Archaeology Exhibit in the Visitor’s Center includes segments on pre-contact period sites and on Sukeek’s Cabin site.

JPPM Library has over 15,000 titles relating to all aspects of Maryland’s history. Books do not circulate, but an online catalog is available. Southern Maryland Regional Files are also housed in the MAC Lab.

Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab has over 10 million artifacts spanning from 10,000 years ago until the early-mid 20th century. Portions available online; physical access upon request during MAC Lab hours. Qualifying institutions can borrow artifacts for display or study.

Audio and transcripts of oral histories of local Black families. Available upon request.

Portraits, daguerreotypes, and primary documents of local Black families. Available to view upon request.

Through Ebony Eyes digital exhibit can be viewed on large screendisplay.

Field trip programs for school age children on rural life and sharecropping are scheduled through the Education Department.

Park-wide special events like Discovering Archaeology Day and American Indian Heritage Day are free and open to the public.

Educators, docents, and archaeologists give tours, talks, and participate in outreach programs upon request.

JPPM hosts Calvert County’s NAACP Family and Community Day each June

Explore Resources

Description:
Sotterley's buildings include the manor house - The oldest parts of the manor house date back to 1703. The slave cabin was build in the 1830's and serves as a powerful reminder as to the reality of the history that took place at Sotterley and other plantations....
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Themes:
African American People and Culture, Civic Ideas and Action, Rural Life in Southern Maryland

Timeframe:

Early to mid-20th century

Themes:

African American People and Culture, Indigenous People and Culture, Diversity in Southern Maryland, People, Places, and Our Southern Maryland Environment, Women’s History

Access:

During open hours for JPPM Visitor Center: Wed-Sunday, 10am-4pm. Contact Visitor Center at jefpat@maryland.gov or 410-586-8538.

Description:

Located at the Visitor Center, this exhibit shows a number of archaeological artifacts from across the state of Maryland, with detailed panels on a pre-contact period site (and its environment) and on the Sukeek’s Cabin site.

Visit Website

faq archaeology

Item #1

Join us to discover a hidden chapter in history.

Southern Maryland
Equity in History Coalition

The Southern Maryland Equity in History Coalition is a transformative collaboration of local organizations and educational institutions, committed to elevating the history of Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color in our region.

Learn how you can support our mission.

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Maryland Heritage Areas Authority
This project has been financed in part with State funds from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, an instrumentality of the State of Maryland. However, project contents or opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority.
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