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African American Heritage Society of Charles County, Inc.

African American Heritage So
African American Heritage Society Building

The African American Heritage Society of Charles County, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to foster awareness and an understanding of the African American way of life; to share the cultural and historical contributions of African Americans to the growth and development of Southern Maryland and to the nation.  The society’s Heritage House, located in La Plata, is an educational/cultural facility that serves as a community resource and a tourist site within Charles County, the Southern Maryland region, and beyond.

The society receives many calls of inquiry from:  individuals living outside of the state about their family lineage that has been traced to Charles County and educational researchers who are looking for information that has ties to the county.  These inquiries are usually directed to other county organizations or individuals with expertise to help in their request for data or knowledge that we can’t provide.

Heritage House contains a small library of books that depicts the struggles and accomplishments of Black people which were written by Black scholars, literary figures, political and social leaders, etc.  Numerous displays and exhibits highlight courageous persons of history such as the Tuskegee Airmen, Madame C.J. Walker, Ms. Opal Lee and Juneteenth, W.E.B. DuBois, his NAACP and Ghana Connection, Charles County Black Businesses from the 1940’s to the 1970’s and more.  There is the William A. Diggs collection of artifacts and others that illustrate the days of slavery, and the hardships of a people.  During the year the society presents diverse, guest speakers on relevant topics of the past and present.  The Southern Maryland Studies Center at CSM is a storehouse of Charles County history that is used by us to aid history seekers.

Contact/Location

7485 Crain Highway, La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 843-2150

https://www.explorecharlescounty.com/see-do/history-and-heritage/african-american-history-and-heritage/african-american-heritage-society-of-charles-county

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

Due to lack of volunteers at the present, appointments for individual and special group visitations can be arranged by calling (301) 609-9099.

Highlights

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

The African American Heritage House has a mission to foster awareness and an understanding of the African American way of life; to share the cultural and historical contributions of African Americans to the growth and development of Southern Maryland and to the nation.
Numerous displays and exhibits highlight courageous persons of history such as the Tuskegee Airmen, Madame C.J. Walker, Ms. Opal Lee and Juneteenth, W.E.B. DuBois, his NAACP and Ghana Connection, Charles County Black Businesses from the 1940’s to the 1970’s and more. 

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

African American Heritage Society of Charles County, Inc.

Description:
The African American Heritage Society's mission is to foster awareness and an understanding of the African American way of life; to share the cultural and historical contributions of African Americans to the growth and development of Southern Maryland and to the nation. They do this through their He...
Read More
Themes:
African American People and Culture, People, Places, and Our Southern Maryland Environment
Access:

Appointments for individual and special group visitations can be arranged by calling (301) 609-9099.

African American Heritage Society of Charles Co. – Photographs, Videos, and Documents

Description:
. The society has an open house event in October entitled “Fall into Southern Maryland” with outdoor and indoor activities involving diverse speakers of Black History. Another event is held in December with emphasis on the traditions and customs of the African American experience. ...
Read More
Themes:
African American People and Culture, People, Places, and Our Southern Maryland Environment
Access:

The society does not have a website at present.  It is a future goal.

Our site is ADA compliant.

It is open by appointment only to small groups not to exceed 25 persons.

The contact person is Dorothea H. Smith at (301) 609-9099.  Additional members serve as guides for visitors and are knowledgeable about the History Coalition Project.

African American Heritage Society of Charles County – Displays of History Makers

Description:
Heritage House is a facility where the community can visit to learn of the past and present about the African American experience or Black History. There are five rooms containing artifacts, displays, exhibits, artwork, books, photographs, and other materials of interest. And opportunities to teac...
Read More
Themes:
African American People and Culture
Access:

The society does not have a website at present.  It is a future goal.  Our site is ADA compliant.

It is open by appointment only to small groups not to exceed 25 persons.  The contact person is Dorothea H. Smith at (301) 609-9099.  Additional members serve as guides for visitors and are knowledgeable about the History Coalition Project.

African American Heritage Society of Charles County – Artifacts

Description:
. There is the William A. Diggs collection of artifacts and others that illustrate the days of slavery, and the hardships of a people.
Read More
Themes:
African American People and Culture
Access:

The society does not have a website at present.  It is a future goal. Our site is ADA compliant.

It is open by appointment only to small groups not to exceed 25 persons.  The contact person is Dorothea H. Smith at (301) 609-9099.  Additional members serve as guides for visitors and are knowledgeable about the History Coalition Project.

African American Heritage Society of Charles County – Book Collection

Description:
Heritage House contains a small library of books that depicts the struggles and accomplishments of Black people which were written by Black scholars, literary figures, political and social leaders, etc....
Read More
Themes:
African American People and Culture
Access:

The society does not have a website at present.  It is a future goal.  Our site is ADA compliant.  It is open by appointment only to small groups not to exceed 25 persons.

The contact person is Dorothea H. Smith at (301) 609-9099.  Additional members serve as guides for visitors and are knowledgeable about the History Coalition Project.

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 [email protected] 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

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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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