LEONARDTOWN, Md. – The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County are pleased to remind the community that all are welcome to join in the celebration of the groundbreaking for the new St. Clement’s Island Museum on Tuesday, August 26, at 2 p.m. at the museum site. This event marks the official start of construction on the new two-story museum building that will serve as a landmark destination for education, history, and community connection.
For more details about the groundbreaking ceremony and museum project, please see the full announcement at: https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/pio/docs/2025-151NewsReleaseStClementsIslandMuseumProject.pdf.
Museum Closure for Construction
In preparation for construction, the current St. Clement’s Island Museum building will close to the public on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, and remain closed throughout the duration of the project, which is estimated for completion in December 2026.
During the closure, some services will remain available to visitors through the annex building, located directly across the street from the museum site:
- Water taxi service to St. Clement’s Island (seasonal operation)
- Museum store access, featuring a curated selection of items (limited inventory)
Please note that events typically held at the museum may be relocated or temporarily paused until the new facility opens. Visitors are encouraged to check the museum’s website and Facebook page for the latest updates on programs and services.
“While the building itself will temporarily close, the heart of the museum—its mission to share and preserve our rich history—remains open,” said Karen E. Stone, St. Mary’s County Museum Division Manager. “We are excited for the community to join us on this journey as we create a new and vibrant space that honors Maryland’s beginnings and celebrates our cultural heritage.”
About the Project
The new museum will include a children’s activity room, a formal conference room, a redesigned exhibit space incorporating the voices of the Piscataway Nation, and a new exhibit on Maryland’s founding developed with the Smithsonian Institution, ahead of the state’s 400th anniversary in 2034. The facility will also feature a lighthouse-inspired circular staircase, an elevator, native-plant landscaping, and the reinstallation of the beloved First Landing mural.
For more information, please call St. Clement’s Island Museum at (301) 769-2222 or visit Facebook.com/SCIMuseum.
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.
oh, ok, is there a shuttle available to\ from the event?