2019 Holiday Trail Participants:

African American Heritage Society of Charles County, Inc. | Heritage House

Holiday Heritage/Family Traditions

What special, family traditions are celebrated during the winter, holiday season? Are these traditions associated with your family's history? Let's share our stories!

7485 Crain Highway, La Plata

Dec. 7, 12 - 3 p.m., donations accepted

 

Chapman State Park, Mount Aventine

Christmas at Mount Aventine

Enjoy live music, guided tours, food, children's crafts, and items will be available for purchase from vendors.

3452 Ferry Place, Indian Head | FriendsofChapmanSP.org

Dec. 7 & 8, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., $3 per car

 

Christ Church, La Plata

Gingerbread House Family Extravaganza

Visit historic Christ Church and decorate a gingerbread house to take home. Materials will be provided, you bring the creativity and Christmas cheer. Children and adults are welcome. There might even be a visit from old St. Nick! Adults can take a tour of the beautiful church, which was moved to La Plata stone by stone from Port Tobacco in 1904.

112 Charles Street, La Plata | ChristChurchLaPlata.org

Dec. 8, 1 - 5 p.m., Reservations Requested, call 301-392-1051

 

Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum

Victorian Christmas

The Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum will be decorated in Victorian finery and will feature costumed docents, period music, light refreshments, antique dolls and Santa & Mrs. Claus.

3725 Dr. Samuel Mudd Road, Waldorf | drmudd.org

Dec. 6 - 8, times vary, children 5 and under are free, 6-12 are $2, adults $8

 

Maryland Veterans Museum at Patriot Park

Holiday at Patriot Park

Holiday at Patriot Park will be celebrating a military Christmas. Take a tour of historical exhibits and artifacts from each American conflict. Individuals who contributed to America's freedom are recognized and honored. Visit with Santa from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., as you tour look for the holiday train, Christmas soldier and Christmas trees in each gallery. The Maryland Veterans Museum at Patriot Park will be offering hotdogs to all visitors to enjoy.

11000 Crain Highway, Newburg | MDVets.cc

Dec. 7, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., FREE

 

Mattawoman Creek Art Center

Holiday at Mattawoman Creek Art Center

Holiday at Mattawoman Creek Art Center will feature at Holiday Market, indoor arts, and original arts fair in the Jenkins Gallery. There will be a reception on December 8th at 2 p.m. in Gallery II, featuring art work from Charles County Public Schools middle school students.

5565 Upham Place, Marbury | mattawomanart.org

Dec. 7 - 8, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., FREE, items available for purchase

 

Maxwell Hall

The Twelve Days of Christmas

The Crossroads of Hughesville Garden Club invite you to come see this historic house decked out with spectacular Colonial Holiday decorations. This year's theme is the Twelve Days of Christmas and will feature outdoor displays, live entertainment, refreshments, holiday demonstrations and children's crafts.

17388 Teagues Point Road, Hughesville |

Dec. 7 - 8, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., FREE

 

Port Tobacco Historic Village

A Christmas in History, Historic Stagg Hall

Experience the Christmas season at Stagg Hall during three distinct periods in American history. See how merchants celebrated in the colonies, families remembered missing loved ones throughout the Civil War and decadence returned during the Gilded Age. Learn about Stagg Hall and Port Tobacco Historic Village from costumed docents or in one of our interpretive panel rooms while enjoying refreshments, music and children's crafts.

8450 Commerce Street, Port Tobacco | ExploreCharlesCounty.com

Dec. 7 - 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., FREE

 

Holiday at Burch House 

Holiday at Burch House will feature period decorations, light refreshments and archeological displays.

8396 Commerce Street, Port Tobacco | CCArchsoc.blogspot.com

Dec. 7 - 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., donations accepted

Colonial Holiday, Port Tobacco Courthouse

Experience music, holiday decorations, history, light refreshments and children's crafts while celebrating a Colonial Holiday at Port Tobacco Courthouse.

8430 Commerce Street, Port Tobacco | https://porttobaccocourthouse.com/

Dec. 7 - 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., donations accepted

 

Serenity Farm and the Farm Heritage Conservancy

Greening of the Burial Ground

Start at the Harvest House to make swags to decorate the graves of 23 enslaved African Americans dating from 1780-1810. Greenery and materials provided, or bring your own, please only use natural materials. When the swags are completed take a walk to the burial ground to place them. A brief history on burial ground will be given.

6932 Serenity Farm Road, Benedict | SerenityFarmINC.com

December 8, 1 - 3 p.m., donations accepted

 

Smallwood State Park

Colonial Christmas at Smallwood's Retreat

The home of General William Smallwood will be open and decorated with fresh greens for the annual 18th century Christmas celebration. Tours will be provided by costumed docents throughout the day and into the evening when the house is lit by candles. The kitchen will be aglow as the Smallwood Foodway Guild demonstrate authentic 18th century cooking. Visitors can also dip candles and make wreaths with fresh greens. The perfect way to get into the holiday spirit is to enjoy a cup of spiced cider and cookies while gathering around the bonfire for stories, laughter and singing. Don't be supervised if General Smallwood stops by for a visit.

2750 Sweden Point Road, Marbury |

Dec. 7, 1 - 6 p.m., FREE, donations appreciated

 

Saint Ignatius Church & Saint Thomas Manor

Holiday at St. Ignatius Church & St. Thomas Manor

Take a tour and enjoy the holiday season at St. Ignatius Church and St. Thomas Manor. Refreshments will be served.

8855 Chapel Point Road, Port Tobacco | ChapelPoint.org

Dec. 7, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Dec. 8, 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m., FREE, donations accepted

 

Historic McConchie One Room School

Christmas Traditions

Located inside the front gate of the Charles County Fairgrounds, the Historic McConchie One Room School invites you to step into a time capsule when you visit the school house. Meet former students now in their 80's and watch a video about student life in the 1920's. This is a family-friendly event and a "hands on" experience.

8440 Fairgrounds Road, La Plata  |

Dec. 7 - 8, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

 

Port Tobacco One Room School

Holiday at The Port Tobacco One Room School

The Port Tobacco One Room School invites you to take a tour provided by members of the Charles County Retired School Personnel Association. Children will be able to participate in a scavenger hunt and adults & children will be able to make s'mores over an open fire pit.

7215 Chapel Point Road, Port Tobacco

Dec. 7, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., FREE

 

Thomas Stone National Historic Site 

A Colonial Christmas

Tour the mansion of Thomas Stone, signer of the Declaration of Independence with costumed interpreters. The mansion and grounds will be decorated for the holidays.

6655 Rose Hill Road, Port Tobacco |

Dec. 7 - 8,  10 a.m. - 4 p.m., FREE