LEONARDTOWN, Md. – The Old Jail Museum, a well-known landmark in the heart of Leonardtown and one of four museums and historic sites overseen by the St. Mary’s County Government Museum Division, will continue offering extended public hours during Leonardtown First Fridays in addition to its regular daily visitation hours.
Community members and visitors are encouraged to tour this unique and fascinating historic site. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with FREE admission for all ages. In addition, the museum will offer extended hours during Leonardtown First Fridays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the first Friday of each month. The museum is closed only on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Staff will be on hand to showcase the Old Jail and share its compelling history. A special exhibit highlighting Benjamin Hance, a young African American man who was held at the Old Jail in 1887 and later killed by a local mob, will also be on display. Hance is the only documented lynching victim recorded in St. Mary’s County.
The Old Jail Museum is one of three sites in St. Mary’s County included in the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom and features stories and exhibits related to that era.
The location also serves as the official Leonardtown Visitor Center, where visitors can find information about attractions, events, and activities throughout Leonardtown, St. Mary’s County, and the Southern Maryland region.
The Old Jail Museum is located at 41625 Court House Drive in Leonardtown, MD, on the grounds of the historic courthouse in downtown Leonardtown and just a short walk from the Square. For more information about the Old Jail Museum, including special hours, contact information, updates, and more, please visit Facebook.com/TheOldJailMuseum.
About the St. Mary’s County Museum Division
The St. Mary’s County Museum Division was established by the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County to collect, preserve, research, and interpret the historic sites and artifacts which illustrate the natural and cultural histories of St. Mary’s County and the Potomac River. These sites include St. Clement’s Island Museum, Piney Point Lighthouse Museum, the Old Jail Museum, and the Drayden African American Schoolhouse. With this as its charter, the Museum Division serves as a resource, liaison, and community advocate for all St. Mary’s County public and private cultural assets. For more information, please visit: museums.stmarysmd.com.