HUNTINGTOWN, Md. — 2026 marks an exciting year in the history of the United States. This July, the nation will celebrate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the country as we know it.
To celebrate, Maryland and Calvert County are planning and hosting events that will bring people together, educate residents, and help people connect through a shared sense of history. As per the Calvert 250 website, “this anniversary is an opportunity for Marylanders to reflect on the struggle for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, the ongoing evolution of American democracy, and the impact of Marylanders on the nation’s past, present, and future.”
The Calvert 250 Club at Huntingtown High is one local group that’s leading the charge on Calvert 250. Made up of high school students, the club came together over a shared fascination with “untold stories” from the Revolutionary War and the everyday people who fought for the cause.
As we gear up to honor our past and learn more about what makes us who we are, the county and local groups are hosting events to help build those connections. Here’s the list so far. You can find more information through Calvert 250, Maryland 250, and the Huntingtown High Calvert 250 Club.
MLK Days: A 3-Day Community Art Event at Annmarie Sculpture Garden
Jan. 17–19, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
13470 Dowell Road, Solomons, Md.
Free and open to the public, this hands-on community art project invites visitors of all ages and abilities to collaborate with visiting artist Felicia Reed in the Main Gallery. During this three-day event, attendees are invited to observe Felicia’s wet-felting process and create a felted flower to contribute to A Bouquet for MLK, a collaborative mural honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of Beloved Community. No tickets are required. Free admission. Donations accepted.
Black Watermen & Oystermen of the Chesapeake
Jan. 19, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Calvert Marine Museum
14200 Solomons Island Road, Solomons, Md.
Hear the stories of Black oystermen and watermen along the Chesapeake. Learn about the Eastern oyster, Chesapeake boat types, and what it was like to make a living working on the water or in a historic oyster packing house, plus make your own oyster craft.
Buttons, Buckles and Bayonets
Feb. 21, 2026, from 2–3:30 p.m. at Calvert Library – Twin Beaches Branch
4100 5th St., North Beach, Md.
Learn about the everyday clothing and accessories American men and women wore from 1770–1790. Sara Rivers Cofield will bring artifacts such as buttons, buckles and wearable weapons from the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory, and some surviving 18th-century garments from her private costume collection. This event is presented in partnership with the Questers Chesapeekers and Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum.
Kwame Alexander LIVE in Calvert!
March 9, 2026, from 6:30–8 p.m. at Calvert High School
600 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, Md.
Join Emmy-winning producer and No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Kwame Alexander for a conversation with another guest speaker (TBA). Together, they will explore literacy, self-advocacy, and the power of community. Celebrate the launch of Mighty Macy and Alexander’s upcoming TV series America’s Next Great Author. Books will be available for sale and signing, and the event will be streamed live on the county’s YouTube channel.
Maritime Performance Series: Music of the American Revolution
April 17, 2026, from 7–9 p.m. at the Calvert Marine Museum
14200 Solomons Island Road, Solomons, Md.
Celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s War for Independence with performances of special period music by renowned music historians David and Ginger Hildebrand. Dressed in period attire, David and Ginger will perform patriotic songs, ballads, dance tunes and theater songs known by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and others. The Hildebrands will explain and demonstrate their instruments.
The American Tapestry: A Festival of Cultures
April 18, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Calvert High School
600 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, Md.
Celebrate the cultures that have shaped America. This is a vibrant festival of student- and community-led exhibits, live performances, food and art honoring the diverse traditions that enrich our nation. You can discover, connect, and celebrate the many cultures that have helped make America a land of opportunity, creativity and resilience.
If you are interested in hosting an exhibit or performance representing your culture, you can apply online to participate.
COSMIC Symphony Presents: Salute to the States (Season Finale)
April 25, 2026, at 3 p.m. at Huntingtown High School
4125 Solomons Island Road, Huntingtown, Md.
Free concert open to the public.
“Spilling the Tea: The Role of Tea in Maryland and Its Impact on the American Revolution”
June 2025 (TBD) at Prince Frederick Library
Archaeological exhibit at Calvert Public Library.
Gallery Reception: From Sea to Shining Sea
July 4, 2026, from 1–4 p.m. at Artworks @7th
8905 Chesapeake Ave., North Beach, Md.
Enjoy an artist reception to celebrate the artist show From Sea to Shining Sea. Gallery show runs from July 2–26, 2026.
Star-Spangled Banner Trail Passport Stamps (National Park Service)
The National Park Service’s Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail offers visitors the chance to collect official passport cancellation stamps at historic and cultural sites connected to the War of 1812 across Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia.
Travelers following the Eastern National Passport Cancellation Locations list will find matching stamp names noted for each site, including regional destinations such as the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum in St. Leonard, Historic Sotterley in Hollywood, and St. Clement’s Island Museum in Coltons Point.
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