Temporary Exhibit - Revolutionary Maryland: Freedom of the Press Then and Now

May – June, 2026 – This traveling exhibit is on loan to Historic Sotterley from Maryland Humanities. It explores the evolution of one of our most important American freedoms from its earliest incarnation in the Maryland Colony to its role in contemporary society, and is......More

May – June, 2026 – This traveling exhibit is on loan to Historic Sotterley from Maryland Humanities. It explores the evolution of one of our most important American freedoms from its earliest incarnation in the Maryland Colony to its role in contemporary society, and is part of an extended project designed to encourage all citizens to think critically about the roles of a free press to self-government in democracy. We are honored to be the only host site of this exhibit in Southern Maryland this spring, and will be expanding the exhibit to include examples of the impact of the press on Historic Sotterley throughout its lifetime. You can view this temporary exhibit in our Visitor Experience Center on Fridays through Sundays.

Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States

Themed Tours - Pursuit of Freedom

June 19-21, 206 – In honor of Juneteenth, Historic Sotterley is offering its guided tours with additional notes on The Pursuit of Freedom at Historic Sotterley and how struggles continued after the Civil War. Tours will be offered on Friday & Saturday at 10:30 am, 12:30......More

June 19-21, 206 – In honor of Juneteenth, Historic Sotterley is offering its guided tours with additional notes on The Pursuit of Freedom at Historic Sotterley and how struggles continued after the Civil War. Tours will be offered on Friday & Saturday at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm and on Sunday at 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm. For more information about our hours and pricing, check our visit page. Historic Sotterley’s guided tours allow visitors an intimate perspective of the lives, cultures, and stories of those that owned, lived, and labored on the site, enslaved or free, over three centuries of American history. Tours this weekend will have an extra focus on how freedom evolved through the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, the Civil War, and post-Emancipation into the 20th century. The tour is on the ground floor and is approximately 45 minutes in length. The 18th Century Manor House doorways may not accommodate all wheelchairs or walkers in some rooms of the house. Please call in advance for full access details. After the tour, Sotterley offers a Visitor Experience Center with a museum shop, beautiful trails, expansive gardens, access to a quiet creek, and additional exhibits to explore and learn from. During this weekend, the site will also be hosting the “Revolutionary Maryland: Freedom of the Press Then and Now” traveling exhibit from Maryland Humanities in the Visitor Experience Center, and a Colonial Marines temporary exhibit spread throughout the site. Historic Sotterley is a “Leave No Trace” site, so please be prepared to pack out any trash and leftover food when you leave.

Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States

Father's Day Weekend - Dads' Tours 1/2 off!

June 19-21, 2026 – Bring your history-loving Dad to Historic Sotterley to celebrate Father’s Day with a guided tour! To make the day extra special, dads get their tours for half off. Tickets can be purchased at Sotterley’s Visitor Center on the day of the tour. Other to......More

June 19-21, 2026 – Bring your history-loving Dad to Historic Sotterley to celebrate Father’s Day with a guided tour! To make the day extra special, dads get their tours for half off. Tickets can be purchased at Sotterley’s Visitor Center on the day of the tour. Other tour participants will need to buy their tickets at normal price. Tours will be offered on Friday & Saturday at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm and on Sunday at 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm. For more information about our hours and pricing, check our visit page.  Historic Sotterley’s guided tours allow visitors an intimate perspective of the lives and cultures of those that owned, lived, and worked in the historic Manor House, enslaved or free, over three centuries of American history. As Father’s Day shares a weekend with Juneteenth this year, this weekend’s tours will have an additional focus on the Pursuit of Freedom and how freedom evolved through the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, the Civil War, and post-Emancipation into the 20th century. The tour is on the ground floor spaces and is approximately 45-60 minutes in length. The 18th Century Manor House doorways may not accommodate all wheelchairs or walkers in some rooms of the house. Please call in advance for full access details. After the tour, Sotterley offers a museum gift shop, beautiful trails, expansive gardens, access to a quiet creek, and additional exhibits to explore and learn from. Tour attendees are welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy all that the grounds have to offer with their dad. Historic Sotterley is a “Leave No Trace” site, so please be prepared to pack out any trash and leftover food when you leave.

Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States

Threads of Freedom: Honoring Edith Younger Edmunds at 100

June 19, 2026 – In celebration of Juneteenth, Historic Sotterley is proud to present “Threads of Freedom: Honoring Edith Younger Edmunds at 100,” a powerful and intergenerational program rooted in the theme of threads—those that bind history, memory, resilience, and com......More

June 19, 2026 – In celebration of Juneteenth, Historic Sotterley is proud to present “Threads of Freedom: Honoring Edith Younger Edmunds at 100,” a powerful and intergenerational program rooted in the theme of threads—those that bind history, memory, resilience, and community across generations. 45-minute presentation from Edith Younger EdmundsConversational panel with Sotterley descendantsCommunity engagement and reflectionLive music with Casual Groove BandTime: 3:30 – 7:00 pmLocation: Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood MDRegistration here!At the heart of this year’s program is the understanding that freedom is not a single moment, but a continuous weaving of stories, struggles, and triumphs. The “threads” in this gathering represent the hands that labored, the voices that endured, and the traditions that survived—often carried forward in ways both seen and unseen. Traveling from Halifax County, Virginia, Edith Younger Edmunds—now 100 years old—has been creating Underground Railroad quilts since the age of seven. Her quilts embody both artistry and ancestral knowledge, reflecting a long-held belief that patterns and symbols were used to communicate messages of movement, safety, and hope along the Underground Railroad. Whether as coded maps or as powerful expressions of cultural memory, these quilts stand as enduring symbols of ingenuity, resistance, and the human longing for freedom. Through Mrs. Edmunds’ life and work, “Threads of Freedom” becomes more than a title—it becomes a living narrative. Each stitch represents a story. Each pattern reflects a journey. Each quilt becomes a bridge between past and present, reminding us that history is not distant—it is carried forward through people, practice, and purpose. This special program invites the community to gather in reflection and celebration as Mrs. Edmunds shares her story, her craft, and the cultural significance of quilting as both expression and resistance. Her 45-minute presentation will be followed by time for community engagement, allowing participants to connect more deeply with the stories and meanings woven into her work. Following Mrs. Edmunds presentation, a panel of Sotterley descendants will lead a discussion titled “Threads That Continue: Descendant Voices on Memory, Place, and Legacy,” exploring their relationship with Sotterley and the legacy of their ancestors that connect to them to the site. The panel will consist of Gerard Barber, Katherine Humphries, Nocola Williams, and Tre’ Lancaster, each representing different eras and aspects of Sotterley’s history, and different journeys to exploring their stories. The evening will continue in celebration with live music by Casual Groove, whose vibrant blend of R&B, jazz, funk, and soul creates a joyful atmosphere of unity—honoring not only the history of emancipation, but the ongoing expression of freedom through music, culture, and community connection. Historic Sotterley, a site committed to telling a full and honest history, recognizes that Juneteenth is both a commemoration and a call—to remember, to honor, and to continue the work of truth-telling. By centering descendant voices and living traditions, Sotterley affirms that the threads of freedom are still being woven today. Mrs. Edmunds’ presence offers a rare and profound opportunity to witness history through the hands of someone who has carried it for a century—an invitation to reflect on what we inherit, what we preserve, and what we pass forward.  

America's 250th Presentation: George Plater III with Dave Brown

June 25, 2026 – Join us for a special presentation in honor of America’s and Maryland’s 250th as historian and author Dave Brown explores the life and legacy of George Plater III, one of Maryland’s highly involved and influential early leaders. Through Dave’s research, ......More

June 25, 2026 – Join us for a special presentation in honor of America’s and Maryland’s 250th as historian and author Dave Brown explores the life and legacy of George Plater III, one of Maryland’s highly involved and influential early leaders. Through Dave’s research, this program illuminates Plater’s role in shaping the state and the nation during its formative years, while connecting his impact to the broader, complex history preserved at Historic Sotterley. Port of Leonardtown Winery will be joining us for this event to bring you outstanding local wines to taste. Located in the heart of Leonardtown, Port of Leonardtown Winery is a community-driven winery working with a cooperative of 12 member vineyards to create high-quality, Southern Maryland-made wine. Since their start in 2010, they’ve won multiple best-in-show awards for their incredible wine varieties.   Participation in this event is free, but you will need to purchase a wine-tasting ticket to enjoy Port of Leonardtown Winery’s tastings during the event. Wine-tasting tickets are $20 and participants must be 21 or over.All participants are welcome to join us to meet the speaker at the pre-reception at 6:30 pm with light refreshments. Register to Attend In-PersonRegister to Attend VirtuallyBuy a Ticket for the Wine Tasting!  Dave Brown is a retired diplomat and university educator. Since 2000, he has volunteered as a docent at Sotterley and once served on its Board of Trustees. He has written books and articles related to Sotterley including Sotterley: Its People and Their Worlds (2010), George Plater of Sotterley (2014) and The Barber Family: From Slavery, Through Segregation and The Civil Rights Movement (2023) co-authored with Donald Barber, and The Kane Family: Slavery to Freedom at Sotterley (2025).

Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States

Themed Tours - Descendants of Sotterley

June 26-28, 2026 – In honor of Descendants Day on June 28th, Historic Sotterley is offering its guided tours with additional notes on the role of descendants in preserving Sotterley and its stories. Tours will be offered on Friday & Saturday at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2......More

June 26-28, 2026 – In honor of Descendants Day on June 28th, Historic Sotterley is offering its guided tours with additional notes on the role of descendants in preserving Sotterley and its stories. Tours will be offered on Friday & Saturday at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm and on Sunday at 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm. For more information about our hours and pricing, check our visit page. Historic Sotterley’s guided tours allow visitors an intimate perspective of the lives and cultures of those that owned, lived, and labored on the site, enslaved or free, over three centuries of American history. Tours this weekend will have an extra focus on how descendants of those that lived and labored here have shaped our interpretation of Sotterley’s history and the key families that have shaped Historic Sotterley as it is today. The tour is on the ground floor and is approximately 45 minutes in length. The 18th Century Manor House doorways may not accommodate all wheelchairs or walkers in some rooms of the house. Please call in advance for full access details. After the tour, Sotterley offers a Visitor Experience Center with a museum shop, beautiful trails, expansive gardens, access to a quiet creek, and additional exhibits to explore and learn from. During this weekend, the site will also be hosting the “Revolutionary Maryland: Freedom of the Press Then and Now” traveling exhibit from Maryland Humanities in the Visitor Experience Center, and a Colonial Marines temporary exhibit spread throughout the site. Historic Sotterley is a “Leave No Trace” site, so please be prepared to pack out any trash and leftover food when you leave.

Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States

Sotterley Presents: People & Perspectives with John Garrison Marks

July 1, 2026 – How should we remember George Washington’s involvement in slavery? In this lecture, historian John Garrison Marks will share how Americans have argued over this questions for nearly 250 years. More than any other “Founding Father,” Washington’s ties to sl......More

July 1, 2026 – How should we remember George Washington’s involvement in slavery? In this lecture, historian John Garrison Marks will share how Americans have argued over this questions for nearly 250 years. More than any other “Founding Father,” Washington’s ties to slavery have vexed us. He enslaved more people than any of his fellow Founders, yet he was the only one of them to emancipate the people he held in bondage. Since his death, Americans have grappled with this contradiction, shaping and re-shaping our collective memory of Washington and slavery—along with our understanding of the nation. Drawing on research from his new book, Marks traces how politicians, abolitionists, educators, activists, Washington’s former slaves and their descendants, and others have remembered, forgotten, and manipulated slavery’s place in Washington’s story, wielding it in the political and cultural fights of their time. He reveals how Americans’ conflicts over our collective memory of the past have always been part of a much broader struggle to define the nation—and ourselves.   This is a FREE hybrid event. Registration is required.All participants are welcome to join us to meet the speaker at the pre-reception at 6:30 pm with light refreshments.   Register to Attend In-PersonRegister to Attend Virtually  John Garrison Marks is a historian and writer who explores history, museums, and the ways Americans engage with the past. He is the author or editor of three books, and his work has appeared in The Atlantic, Washington Post, TIME, Smithsonian Magazine, and elsewhere. His latest book, Thy Will Be Done: George Washington’s Legacy of Slavery and the Fight for American Memory (2026), explores how generations of Americans have thought, and fought, about slavery’s place in George Washington’s legacy over the past 250 years. Marks also serves as a senior staff member for the American Association for State and Local History, where he leads research, leadership development, and special projects, including nine years of thinking, writing, and speaking about the U.S. Semiquincentennial. He earned a Ph.D. in history from Rice University.

Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States

Themed Tours - Sotterley During the Revolution

July 3-5, 2026 – In honor of Independence Day and America’s 250th, Historic Sotterley is offering its guided tours with additional notes on Sotterley’s role in shaping America’s history and the start of our nation through an examination of the life of Sotterley’s George......More

July 3-5, 2026 – In honor of Independence Day and America’s 250th, Historic Sotterley is offering its guided tours with additional notes on Sotterley’s role in shaping America’s history and the start of our nation through an examination of the life of Sotterley’s George Plater III and those who lived and labored at Sotterley during the Revolution. Tours will be offered on Friday & Saturday at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm and on Sunday at 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm. For more information about our hours and pricing, check our visit page. Historic Sotterley’s guided tours allow visitors an intimate perspective of the lives and cultures of those that owned, lived, and labored on the site, enslaved or free, over three centuries of American history. Tours this weekend will have an extra focus on the ways Sotterley, with its prime location along the Patuxent River and trade routes, played a role in early American history. The tour is on the ground floor and is approximately 45 minutes in length. The 18th Century Manor House doorways may not accommodate all wheelchairs or walkers in some rooms of the house. Please call in advance for full access details. After the tour, Sotterley offers a Visitor Experience Center with a museum shop, beautiful trails, expansive gardens, access to a quiet creek, and additional exhibits to explore and learn from. Historic Sotterley is a “Leave No Trace” site, so please be prepared to pack out any trash and leftover food when you leave.

Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States