Commissioners Proclaim February As Black History Month In St. Mary’s County

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County formally recognized February as Black History Month during their Feb. 3 meeting, highlighting the county’s deep historical ties to African American history and ongoing efforts to educate the community.

Commissioner Eric Colvin presented the proclamation, noting that Black History Month traces its origins to 1926, when historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson established National Negro History Week to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln. The observance expanded nationally in 1976, when February was officially recognized as Black History Month.

The proclamation emphasized St. Mary’s County’s unique place in Black history, citing four local sites included in the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom: the Old Jail Museum in Leonardtown, Historic Sotterley, the McCall Plantation at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and Point Lookout State Park. The sites stand as reminders of the experiences of enslaved people and their pursuit of justice, equality and freedom.

Additional local landmarks were also recognized, including the Drayden African American Schoolhouse and the U.S. Colored Troops Interpretive Center and Memorial in Lexington Park, which preserve and share the stories of African Americans who contributed to the county’s history and resilience.

The commissioners also acknowledged the work of numerous organizations dedicated to preserving Black history and advancing equity, including the St. Mary’s County Human Relations Commission, the Museum Division of Recreation and Parks, the NAACP, the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions, the Minority Outreach Coalition, the League of Women Voters, Historic Sotterley, the St. Mary’s County Black History Coalition, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Southern Maryland Chapter, St. Mary’s College of Maryland and Historic St. Mary’s City.

Through the proclamation, the commissioners encouraged residents to visit historic sites and participate in educational and cultural events throughout the month to deepen understanding of the county’s shared history.

The proclamation was signed by all five commissioners and adopted Feb. 3, 2026.

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