Step into Chesapeake Bay transportation history at the restored Aberdeen B&O Train Station. Explore railroading’s role in industry, military history, and community life while watching trains on active tracks. Discover a living link to the Bay’s economic and cultural evolution through engaging interpretation and historic architecture.
Annapolis City Dock is a bustling hub in the historic heart of Annapolis, MD. City Dock has served as an important port within Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay region for at least 350 years. Today, City Dock continues to connect its residents with the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and businesses of the region.
In 1902, the first hospital in Annapolis opened on Cathedral Street. Its medical staff included Dr. William Bishop, the town’s leading African American physician. However, after Dr. Bishop’s death in 1904, the hospital no longer accepted Black physicians on staff. In 1910, a new hospital, built on the corner of Franklin and Cathedral, was open to all residents, but it had segregated wards and did not admit Black women for maternity care.
Sail the Chesapeake Bay aboard the Annapolis Sailing Cruise’s Schooner Woodwind classic wooden sailing yachts. Raise the sails, steer the boat, and explore stories of heritage, wildlife, and conservation with engaging captains and crew. Each trip at this Chesapeake Gateways Network Site offers a unique view of the Bay’s beauty and meaning.
In 1803, seven free Black men bought land on West Street to establish the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Annapolis. This current brick Gothic-style church, built in 1888 and expanded in 1976, is known now as Asbury United Methodist Church.
Discover BLISS Meadows, a 10-acre urban farm and land reclamation project in Northeast Baltimore. This unique space offers walking trails, farm animal interactions, and hands-on gardening workshops. Learn about sustainability, food justice, and the contributions of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities while enjoying fresh produce, honey, and community events. Experience nature, education, and social change in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Baltimore’s concentration of historic, cultural, and natural resources makes the city a truly unique place. The city has been witness to events that have dramatically altered the course of the nation’s history. Over the centuries it has also been witness to more subtle changes in the way Americans work, play, and live. With heritage area designation, both the state of Maryland and the U.S. Congress have acknowledged Baltimore for its capacity to tell these important stories.
The Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum is the State of Maryland’s official museum of African American history and culture. Housed in the historic Mt. Moriah African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Museum features exhibits on history, art and Black life in Maryland.
This U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge protects vital Chesapeake Bay wetlands for migratory birds and native wildlife. A Chesapeake Gateways Network Site, Blackwater offers hiking, paddling, birdwatching, and engaging exhibits on wildlife, stewardship, and regional heritage.
163 Duke of Gloucester is the home John Maynard an African American community leader and a founding trustee of the Stanton School in 1865, which was the first free school for African American children in Annapolis. 148 Duke of Gloucester Street was the home of William Butler, Sr., an African American builder and prosperous landowner who was one of the wealthiest people in the city at the time of the US Civil War. He served on the Annapolis City Council from 1873 to 1875.
Calvert Cliffs State Park is a day-use park featuring a sandy beach, unique fossils, recycled tire playground, a freshwater and tidal marshland and 13 miles of hiking trails located in Calvert County.
Explore the Captain Avery Museum’s historic home, shoreline trails, native gardens, and Chesapeake Bay exhibits. Learn about maritime traditions, segregation-era resilience, environmental stewardship, and ongoing restoration efforts. Enjoy live events, art programs, and family-friendly activities at this waterfront site honoring Chesapeake Bay heritage.
Experience the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and discover historic boats, engaging exhibits, and all-ages programming that celebrate the Bay's history, environment, & culture. Watch skilled craftsmen in the working shipyard and enjoy scenic waterfront views. Located in St. Michael’s, this captivating destination invites you to explore the Chesapeake story through hands-on learning, world-class exhibitions, & on-the-water experiences. Your Chesapeake adventure begins here.
Chippokes State Park is one of the oldest continually farmed plantations in the US and explores and shares the history of its enslaved population on the site through programs, exhibits and a memorial.
Explore rare forests, trout streams, and meadows at Climbers Run Nature Center. Hike scenic trails, observe unique wildlife, and discover how active land stewardship supports Chesapeake Bay health. This site offers hands-on learning, public events, and a chance to experience conservation in action.
Discover Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, where the Susquehanna River’s history, culture, and natural beauty come alive. Explore exhibits, learn about river commerce, conservation, and freedom seekers, launch boats and paddle craft from Columbia River Park, and enjoy scenic views from the Riverview Deck. Access nearby land and water trails and connect with the vibrant stories that have shaped this vital river corridor.
History is all around you where East Street and Prince George Street meet. The James Brice House is an example of 18th century Georgian architecture. The church across the street, now modern housing, was built as a mission chapel for St. Anne’s Episcopal Church and then served as a synagogue from 1919 through 1962. To the church’s right, this small home, the Creagh-Smith House, was built by colonial craftsman Patrick Creagh and later owned by two free African Americans.
Explore Chesapeake Bay history at the Deltaville Maritime Museum through exhibits on wooden boatbuilding, oyster restoration, living shorelines, and hands-on boatbuilding experiences. Connect with the Bay’s maritime culture and environmental heritage along the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.
Discover a true working harbor on Tilghman Island where historic skipjacks and watermen still ply the waters. Dogwood Harbor offers public water access, scenic views, and insight into the Chesapeake Bay’s maritime traditions through interpretive signage and living history.
This U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge protects Chesapeake Bay island habitats for birds and native wildlife. A Chesapeake Gateways Network Site, Eastern Neck offers trails, fishing, hunting, and exhibits on the island’s rich ecological and cultural history.
The Essex County Museum tells the story of the Rappahannock River and Essex County’s rich history. Explore exhibits on early American exploration, the Revolutionary War, local river traditions, and the Pirates of the Chesapeake. See a scale model of Fort Lowry, boat models, and a 16-foot pictorial map of the river. Visitors can also enjoy the charming courtyard with a NASA Moon Tree and find unique artifacts from the steamboat era.
English colonists who crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1607 arrived at the spot now commemorated as First Landing State Park. They would travel further upriver before choosing to build the settlement they called Jamestown. First Landing State Park is in Virginia Beach, VA and is the state’s most visited park. The 2,888-acre park offers camping, picnicking, swimming, boating and more along the Chesapeake Bay. 2500 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 757-412-2300
Discover the Friends of the Chemung River Watershed, a Chesapeake Gateways Network Site where history and nature meet! Explore exhibits showcasing the river’s rich cultural and ecological significance, then paddle, fish, or hike scenic trails teeming with wildlife. Whether seeking adventure or a peaceful retreat, the Chemung River offers something for everyone. Come explore, learn, and protect this natural treasure!
Explore Furnace Town Historic Site’s living history village, nature trails, and artisan workshops. Discover Chesapeake Bay watershed stories of ironworking, environmental impact, Indigenous presence, and cultural traditions. Enjoy family activities, seasonal festivals, and hands-on experiences that connect visitors to the region’s industrial and natural heritage.
The Guardians of the First Amendment Memorial honors those who lost their lives in the 2018 Capital Gazette mass shooting and represents the journalism community’s commitment to uphold the basic rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
Experience the Chesapeake landscapes that shaped Harriet Tubman’s journey to freedom. The Harriet Tubman Center for Cultural and Educational Advancement offers powerful storytelling, education, and connection to the enduring legacy of the Underground Railroad and the Bay’s natural and cultural heritage.
Discover Chesapeake Bay waterfowling heritage at the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum. Explore historic decoys, hunting boats, interactive exhibits, and artisan stories reflecting the cultural and ecological richness of the Susquehanna Flats. Learn how artistry, community traditions, and environmental stewardship shaped this historic Chesapeake landscape.
Historic Sotterley, a National Historic Landmark and UNESCO Site of Memory, preserves over 300 years of history, offering powerful stories of the past alongside scenic trails, gardens, and views of the Patuxent River.
Step into the past at Hogshead, a rare surviving home of Annapolis’s 18th- and 19th-century working class. Costumed interpreters bring history to life, sharing stories of artisans, laborers, and free Black residents. Explore the home’s two floors, handle reproduction artifacts, and discover historic crafts and daily life. Experience the connections between Chesapeake Bay trade, industry, and the people who shaped Maryland’s capital.
Experience gardens, trails, and waterfront recreation at Holly Point Nature Park. Enjoy kayak access, wildflower meadows, wildlife sculptures, and community events celebrating Chesapeake Bay traditions. Contact the Deltaville Maritime Museum or visit the website for event details and schedules.
Explore the J. Millard Tawes Historical Museum and discover the story of Chesapeake Bay life. Exhibits feature Native American history, seafood industries, boat building, and decoy carving. Authentic photographs, artifacts, and changing displays reveal the rich cultural traditions of Crisfield and the wider Eastern Shore. Experience a living connection to the Bay’s enduring heritage.
Explore the forests, marshes, and wetlands at James River National Wildlife Refuge, where bald eagles soar, nature thrives, and history endures along the scenic James River in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
The John Shaw House is one of the oldest standing houses in Annapolis, and was the home of notable cabinetmaker John Shaw after the Revolutionary War. This craftsman, more than any single person, was responsible for the appearance of the exterior and interior of the State House from the 1770s to the early nineteenth century. He cared for the grounds, illuminated the State House for festive occasions, supplied furnishings, made emergency repairs, and undertook maintenance.
Site of the home and printing shop of Jonas Green and his Dutch immigrant wife Anne Catharine Hoof Green who arrived in Annapolis in 1738. Both were ardent leaders of the movement for independence and served as printers and editors of The Maryland Gazette. With only two brief interruptions, in 1765 and during the Revolution, The Maryland Gazette ran under three generations of the Green family from 1745 until its ceased publication in 1839.
Lawyer’s Mall, at the base of the steps of the Maryland State House, can be considered as the gateway to Annapolis. This civic plaza serves as a public gathering space today, and features a memorial honoring the accomplishments of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
Explore the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway, where trails, parks, and historic sites link the Susquehanna River Valley to the Chesapeake Bay. Connect with Indigenous heritage, African American history, and nationally recognized trails while discovering the natural beauty and cultural significance of Maryland’s Upper Bay region.
Paddle 53 miles along the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg to Maryland, experiencing scenic vistas, historic river towns, and unique wildlife habitats. Interpretive panels, trail maps, and access to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail enrich the journey along one of the Chesapeake Bay’s vital tributaries.
Machicomoco State Park, located on the York River, is dedicated to telling the story of Virginia's Indigenous peoples. Its name, Machicomoco, means "a special meeting place" in the Virginia Algonquian language. At the park, miles of trails, a fishing pier, a paddle craft launch, and campground sites offer many ways to recreate at the park. Visit the interpretive area to learn more about Native American culture and history.
Explore forests, meadows, wetlands, and tidal marshes at this Chesapeake Gateways Network Site in Baltimore County. Marshy Point Park features a canoe and kayak launch, 8 miles of trails, and a nature center with live animals and exhibits on estuarine ecology, history, and conservation.
Maryland Avenue is home to a quaint and quiet shopping district, featuring eclectic businesses and restaurants. The Maryland State House stands at one end, with the walls of the Naval Academy at the other. On this street you will find two significant historic homes, the Chase-Lloyd House and the Hammond-Harwood House.
The Maryland State House has been the site of several nationally important events, including George Washington's resignation as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army after the American Revolution, and the ratification of the Treaty of Paris. The rich architecture and history of the building was recognized in 1960 when the State House was designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Masonville Cove is a restored urban wildlife refuge offering hands-on exhibits, nature trails, birdwatching, and family-friendly education programs that connect visitors to the Chesapeake Bay.
Explore Menokin, a National Historic Landmark where history, architecture, and conservation meet. See the 1769 home of Francis Lightfoot Lee, witness innovative preservation in action, and walk trails through a protected Chesapeake Bay watershed landscape. Engage with exhibits, hands-on activities, and the powerful stories of those who shaped this place. Paddle Cat Point Creek, connect with nature, and uncover the past in a truly unique setting.
At the Museum of Historic Annapolis, discover the rich history of the city through interactive exhibits and authentic stories spanning over 400 years. Explore diverse perspectives, from Native peoples to revolutionaries and civil rights leaders. Engaging displays and community-sourced artifacts bring the past to life in a historic 18th-century building.
Connect with the Chesapeake Bay’s Indigenous heritage at the Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians’ National Register-listed Longhouse and annual Native American Festival. Learn about the traditions, resilience, and living history of the Nanticoke and Choptank communities on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Visits are available by appointment.
Explore the New York Susquehanna Basin Water Trail’s scenic rivers, vibrant towns, and new public access points. Paddle through the Chesapeake Bay’s northern headwaters and discover how recreation, heritage, and conservation come together along this new water trail connecting New York and Pennsylvania.
Just a short drive from many Mid-Atlantic cities, the Northern Neck National Heritage Area offers a journey back in time. Whether for a day, weekend, or week, you’ll find endless opportunities to explore history, enjoy coastal charm, and experience natural beauty. From historic sites to scenic byways, there’s always something new to discover in this unique corner of Virginia.
The People’s Park stands in what was formerly the Old Fourth Ward and honors those displaced by urban renewal. The neighborhood earned the nickname “Annapolis Harlem” and was the home to an impressive music scene in the early 1900s.
