So we can better understand the world in which we live, it’s important for us to learn about slavery and remember the resilience of the enslaved. Come learn and reflect with us.
The Commemorative for Enslaved Peoples of Southern Maryland is an immersive art experience that honors the story of resilience, persistence, and creative problem-solving that defined the lives of the enslaved individuals that once lived in St. Mary's City. Visit the Commemorative to learn about the lives of the enslaved so we can remember and learn from their stories.
HOURS
Monday – Sunday
Sun-up to Sundown
DIRECTIONS
COMMEMORATIVE TO ENSLAVED PEOPLES OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND
For GPS navigation, please use the following address:
47777 Mattapany Road, Lexington Park, MD
From the North:
Baltimore: Take I-97 South to MD Route 3 South in Bowie, Maryland. Follow Rte. 3 / 301 South to MD Route 4 South in Upper Marlboro. Take Rte. 4 South through Prince Frederick and cross the Thomas Johnson Bridge at Solomons Island. Approximately 3 miles after crossing the bridge turn left at the first traffic light onto MD Route 235 South. Travel 4.5 miles through Lexington Park, turning right onto Shangri La Drive at the stoplight. Proceed through the next traffic light. Bear left at the fork in the road on Willows Road and drive 3 miles to the stop sign at MD Route 5 South (Point Lookout Rd.). Turn left and continue 4 miles to the College.
Annapolis: Follow MD Rte. 2 South from Annapolis until it dead-ends with MD Rte. 4 South. Take Rte. 4 South and cross the Thomas Johnson Bridge at Solomons Island. Approximately 3 miles after crossing the bridge turn left at the first traffic light onto MD Route 235 South. Travel 4.5 miles through Lexington Park, turning right onto Shangri La Drive at the stoplight. Proceed through the next traffic light. Bear left at the fork in the road on Willows Road and drive 3 miles to the stop sign at MD Route 5 South (Point Lookout Rd.). Turn left and continue 4 miles to the College.
Washington, D.C.: Take the Capital Beltway (I-495/95) to exit 7A-7B for MD-5 S toward Waldorf (travel 12.5 miles). Take a left at MD-5 S/Mattawoman Beantown Road (travel 3.2 miles). Take a left at MD-5 S/Leonardtown Road (travel 17.6 miles). Continue on MD-235 S/Three Notch Road at Wawa (travel 24.4 miles). Take a right at Mattapany Road (travel 1.7 miles). The Commemorative site parking lot will be on the left, in front of the Jamie L. Roberts Stadium. Follow signs.
From the South:
Richmond: Take US Route 301 North over the Potomac River Bridge. Turn right at the second set of blinking lights onto MD Route 234. Follow Rte. 234 approximately 23 miles to where it ends at MD Route 5. Turn right (south) on Rte. 5, traveling through Leonardtown, and continue 15 miles to St. Mary’s College The campus is located on Route 5.
The campus is also located within two hours of three major airports: Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), Reagan National (DCA) and Dulles International (IAD).
Parking
47777 Mattapany Road, Lexington Park, MD
For overflow parking:
18952 E. Fisher Road
St. Mary’s City, MD 20686
The Commemorative to Enslaved Peoples of Southern Maryland is located across Mattapany Road from the Michael P. O'Brien Athletic & Recreation Center.
Nearby Points of Interest
Historic St. Mary’s City
We are fortunate as a College to have Historic St. Mary’s City as a valued partner, actively involved in informing our thinking.
Sites of Remembrance: Enslavement and Freedom
- St. John’s Site Museum
- St. Mary’s City Waterfront
- Van Sweringen Inn
- Mackall Barn
- Print House Site
- Visitors Center
- Godiah Spray Plantation
- Slave-Tenant Quarter at Brome Howard
- Brome Howard Plantation House
Historic Sotterley
With honesty and integrity, Historic Sotterley embraces its responsibility to interpret all aspects of our shared history, to include the reality of slavery. Sotterley connects people to our past so we may better understand our world today. Honest acknowledgment of our past is vital, creating an environment where dialogue is encouraged. This opens us to a place of healing. Our Descendants Project is part of this acknowledgment, as is our Common Ground Initiative.
United States Colored Troops Memorial
The United States Colored Troops Memorial Monument honors the United States Colored Troops and all Union soldiers and sailors from St. Mary’s County who fought during the Civil War. The “African American History Pathway” leads to the nearby United States Colored Troops Memorial Interpretive Center and is lined with signs that provide local history from 1865 through 1942. The center houses exhibits and is open for special events including the Annual Juneteenth Celebration.
Download the African American Historic Sites brochure to find additional sites in St. Mary’s County, MD.
