A member of the Piscataway Indian Nation Singers and Dancers performs during Indigenous Heritage Day at Historic St. Mary’s City.
ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. – Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC) invites visitors to experience the history, cultures, and living traditions of Indigenous peoples of the Chesapeake and Eastern Woodlands during Indigenous Heritage Day on Saturday, September 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Held at HSMC’s Woodland Indian Hamlet, the annual event offers visitors of all ages an opportunity to learn through cultural presentations, hands-on demonstrations, music, dance, discussion, and the examination of historic objects. Throughout the day, visitors can explore Indigenous technologies, arts, foodways, and material culture.
A featured presentation will be led by Drew Shuptar-Rayvis (Pekatawas MakataweU, “Black Corn”), Cultural Ambassador of the Pocomoke Indian Nation of Maryland. His interactive presentation, “Eight Shirts, Seven Coats, Fifteen Fathoms Wampum: The First Deeds,” explores Native American life in the Northeast from 1650 to 1690.
The presentation combines active discussion with a display of artifacts of both Indigenous and European origin. Through these objects and conversation, Drew will examine Indigenous life, material culture, relationships, and exchanges during a period of significant cultural and political change in the Northeast.
Drew is an educator, living historian, archaeologist, and practitioner of Native horticulture whose work focuses on the history, cultures, languages, and lifeways of the Eastern Woodlands. In 2021, he was elected Cultural Ambassador of the Pocomoke Indian Nation of Maryland by Paramount Chief Norris Howard Sr. and Vice Chief Norris Howard Jr.
At 1:30 p.m., visitors can experience a performance by 29th Hereditary Chief Mark Tayac and the Piscataway Indian Nation Singers & Dancers. Chief Tayac, who leads the Piscataway Indian Nation and hails from Tayac Territory near Port Tobacco, Maryland, carries forward a longstanding family tradition of Piscataway leadership and cultural education. He also leads the Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers, who share Piscataway history and living traditions through music, dance, and song.
The performance will feature American Indian dance, drum, and song and will explore aspects of Piscataway history, culture, and tradition. The program will conclude with an interactive dance and song session, inviting community members of all ages to participate.
Throughout the day, visitors can also encounter demonstrations and hands-on activities exploring Indigenous technologies, arts, foodways, and material culture. Activities may include stone and bone tool making, leatherworking, cordage making, pottery, and food preparation.
Indigenous Heritage Day
Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Historic St. Mary’s City – Woodland Indian Hamlet
18751 Hogaboom Lane
St. Mary’s City, MD 20686
The event will take place outdoors, rain or shine. Admission includes access to all Indigenous Heritage Day activities and the museum grounds.
Admission:
Adults: $15
Seniors: $13
Youth (ages 6–18 or college ID): $10
Children (ages 5 and younger): Free
HSMC Members: Free
Admission is available at the HSMC Visitor Center, 18751 Hogaboom Lane, St. Mary’s City, Maryland.
For more information, visit Historic St. Mary’s City or contact Historic St. Mary’s City at 301-994-4370 or email hsmcc.info@maryland.gov/
About Historic St. Mary’s City
Historic St. Mary’s City is Maryland’s first capital and a National Historic Landmark located along the St. Mary’s River. Through archaeology, historic structures, exhibits, demonstrations, and living history, HSMC explores the people, ideas, and events that shaped Maryland and connects the past with the diverse communities and stories of the Chesapeake today.