LEONARDTOWN, Md. – The St. Mary’s County Historical Society marks its 75th anniversary in 2026, recognizing three-quarters of a century devoted to collecting, preserving, researching, and sharing the history of St. Mary’s County.
Founded in October 1951, the Society has spent seventy-five years safeguarding the County’s historical record and making it available to the public through its collections, publications, programs, and research resources. Over that time, it has become the largest county historical society in Southern Maryland and one of the largest organizations of its kind in Maryland.
With approximately 700 members and a collection approaching 600,000 records, the Society preserves and interprets materials echoing the full sweep of the County’s past – from Maryland’s earliest colonial beginnings to the individuals, communities, and institutions that have shaped St. Mary’s County across generations.
The anniversary also offers an opportunity to underscore the Society’s continuing service to the public. For residents, families, students, researchers, property owners, genealogists, and others seeking reliable answers about local history, the Historical Society serves as a county-wide “memory-bank”. Whether a question concerns family history, an historic house, church, neighborhood, or school, an old document, or a defining moment in the County’s past, the Society helps connect people to the historical record and to the larger story it reveals.
“Seventy-five years ago, this Society was founded on the belief that the history of St. Mary’s County is worth preserving and passing on,” said Historical Society President Admiral Timothy Heely, USN (Ret.). “That belief continues to guide us today. Through the dedication of our volunteers and members, we work to protect the County’s historical record, make it accessible to the public, and deepen appreciation for the people, places, and events that shaped this community.”
As part of its 75th anniversary year, the Society is planning a celebration on Friday, September 11, 2026. Information is available at its website, www.stmaryshistory.org.
“Local history gives people a stronger understanding of who they are and where they live,” Heely added. “For many people, when a question about St. Mary’s County’s past arises, the Historical Society is where they turn. As we mark this milestone, we are also recommitting ourselves to the work ahead — strengthening the Society’s resources, broadening public awareness of what we offer, and ensuring that the history of St. Mary’s County remains available and meaningful for future generations.”
Further information about the St. Mary’s County Historical Society is available at www.stmaryshistory.org.
About the St. Mary’s County Historical Society
The St. Mary’s County Historical Society is an independent 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, researching, and interpreting the history of St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Through its collections, publications, and research resources, the Society connects people with the County’s past and fosters a deeper understanding of its continuing story.
