COLTON’S POINT, Md. — A long-anticipated transformation of St. Clement’s Island Museum gathered momentum this week, as the original 1983 building was demolished to make way for a modern replacement — part of a nearly $6.3 million renovation and expansion project.
The St. Mary’s County Commissioners recently approved the additional funding needed to complete the project, pushing the budget from an originally estimated $4.4 million to $6.3 million, in large part due to rising costs of mechanical, electrical and site work, as well as delays tied to permits and lease approvals.
WM Davis Inc., a contractor based in Hollywood, Md., won the bid for construction after a competitive process that drew nine proposals. The contract awarded to the firm totals just over $4.3 million for construction work.
Groundbreaking took place Aug. 26, 2025, with county leaders, tribal representatives and community members present to mark the start of construction.
The new building will be a two-story structure of about 9,450 to 10,930 square feet, constructed on the footprint of the old museum. It will offer expanded exhibit space, children’s activity areas, meeting rooms, a glass-sided event space, and a research library. Outdoor elements, such as retaining the historic Doris C dory boat, are also part of the plan.
A notable feature of the new museum will be its dual narrative: exhibits will include both the English colonial history and Indigenous perspectives — especially of the Piscataway Conoy Tribe — to provide a more integrated story of Maryland’s founding. The Piscataway chair, Francis Gray, participated in the groundbreaking, calling the project “honorable” for allowing Native voices to be central in how that history is told.
Construction is expected to last approximately 15 months, with completion projected by the end of 2026. During construction, some museum operations will be shifted to an annex building across the street, and certain services, including the museum store and public programming, may be affected.
In the interim, water taxi service to St. Clement’s Island will continue through Oct. 31, operating most days from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors with questions can call 301-769-2222.
County officials say the renovated museum is more than just an upgrade: it is a cultural anchor, intended to draw heritage tourism, support local jobs, and broaden public understanding of the intertwined histories that define the region.
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