2019 Charles County Holiday Trail
Reprinted from CharlesCountyMD.Gov
Charles County Holiday Trail
Saturday, December 7 through Sunday December 8, 2019
Charles County's holiday tradition continues in 2019 with the Annual Charles County Holiday Trail. This event features Charles County's leading historical sites and art venues. Step back in time for a historical Christmas, listen to carolers in period appropriate clothing, purchase goods from various local vendors, or just enjoy local art. The Charles County Holiday Trail is sure to have something for everyone. Days, times and cost varies for each location. Please see the complete list of locations and event information below. This event will be rain or shine. Please check with individual sites the day of the event to see if there are any weather-related closings.
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