Ceremony Of Return Reburies 17th-Century Remains At Historic St. Mary’s City

ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. — Beneath a gray and unsettled September sky, hundreds gathered Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at Historic St. Mary’s City for a solemn procession and reinterment that bridged nearly four centuries of Maryland history

The “Ceremony of Return” marked the final burial of 17th-century remains uncovered during decades of archaeological work at the Brick Chapel site. Among those laid to rest were Philip Calvert — colonial governor, chancellor and son of Maryland’s founding family — his wife Anne Wosley Calvert, and their infant child. They were joined by 56 other individuals whose identities remain unknown but whose lives shaped the colony’s early years between 1634 and 1730.

The day began with cannon fire from the Maryland Dove, the museum’s reconstructed tall ship, signaling the start of a procession from the State House to the chapel grounds. A horse-drawn hearse carried the coffins as descendants of the Calvert family, the Ark and Dove Society, militia re-enactors and community members walked behind in quiet reflection.

Inside the chapel, speakers including Dr. Douglas Owsley of the Smithsonian Institution emphasized the rare insights the burials have provided into early Maryland life and the importance of returning the remains to their original resting place. Sheriff Steve Hall and members of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Color Guard stood among local officials, clergy and descendants who helped honor the dead.

Dr. Travis Parno, interim executive director of Historic St. Mary’s City, called the reinterment one of the most significant moments in the museum’s history. “This allows us to close a chapter that began with discovery and research, and to ensure these individuals are once again treated with dignity,” he said.

The Brick Chapel, long recognized as a cornerstone of religious liberty in English America, now serves as both exhibit and burial site. The ceremony concluded with a rite of reinterment before attendees gathered for a reception at the Margaret Brent Pavilion.

For many, the day was not just about the past but about reaffirming ties to Maryland’s origins. As the coffins were lowered into the earth, silence settled over the crowd — a final gesture of respect for the men, women and children who helped lay the foundation of the state.

For more information about the Ceremony of Return and Historic St. Mary’s City, visit www.hsmcdigshistory.org.

All photos courtesy of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.