St. Mary’s County Stuffed Ham Honored With State’s Second Food History Marker

COLTON’S POINT, Md. — A new historical marker unveiled at the St. Clement’s Island Museum grounds Saturday formally recognizes St. Mary’s County as the birthplace of stuffed ham, elevating a long-standing local tradition into a documented piece of Maryland food history.

The “Hungry for History” marker, awarded through the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, is only the second food-related historical marker in Maryland, joining the Smith Island cake marker and highlighting stuffed ham as a culturally significant regional dish.

The marker was installed at the St. Clement’s Island Museum grounds in Colton’s Point, where officials said the recognition connects regional food traditions to broader efforts to preserve local history. The unveiling also comes as construction continues for a new museum facility expected to open in December.

Karen Stone, division manager for St. Mary’s County Museums, said the stuffed ham marker represents both cultural preservation and community identity, recognizing a tradition deeply rooted in the county’s history.

Stone explained the designation comes through the William G. Pomeroy Foundation’s “Hungry for History” program, which documents iconic regional foods across the country. To qualify, applicants must provide historical evidence linking the food to a specific location.

“You have to apply for this marker and prove that it originated in your location,” Stone said. “We were able to show that stuffed ham is an iconic St. Mary’s County food.”

Stone said documentation submitted for the application included oral traditions tracing stuffed ham to enslaved communities, newspaper advertisements referencing “stuffed ham season,” and historical cookbooks documenting early recipes. She also noted that stuffed ham varies throughout St. Mary’s County.

“The oral tradition says stuffed ham was created by the enslaved to make the ham go a little further and add more flavor,” Stone said. “There are all different kinds of recipes, and depending on which part of the county you’re from, the stuffing and spices can vary.”

Stone said the unveiling was intentionally scheduled ahead of Easter, one of the times of the year when stuffed ham traditionally appears on many local dining tables.

Liz Mildenstein, executive director of Visit St. Mary’s, said the stuffed ham marker highlights a distinctive culinary tradition that contributes to the county’s identity and tourism appeal. She noted that while Southern Maryland is widely known for seafood, stuffed ham represents another uniquely local tradition found in restaurants, markets and family kitchens throughout the county.

“Stuffed ham is just one of the many special things about St. Mary’s County,” Mildenstein said. “There’s lots of different ways to make it, and everyone has their own recipe.”

Mildenstein said regional cuisine plays an important role in tourism, helping visitors connect with local culture and history. She added that the recognition of stuffed ham through a historical marker helps elevate that tradition and would draw additional attention to St. Mary’s County’s heritage.

“Every region has its cuisine that makes it special,” Mildenstein said. “Seafood is a big part of that story for us, but stuffed ham is right up there with it.”

Josh Guy, a member of the St. Mary’s County Board of Education, said the stuffed ham marker represented an important step in preserving local history and ensuring future generations recognize the traditions that define St. Mary’s County.

“My family’s been here for generations, and my grandmother had a specific stuffed ham recipe,” Guy said. “I think it speaks to what makes St. Mary’s County great.”

Guy said stuffed ham also reflected the county’s broader cultural identity.

“You never want to lose your history, and stuffed ham is something that hasn’t changed and has stuck with us for hundreds of years,” Guy said. “This used to be a community of farmers and watermen, but stuffed ham is something that hasn’t changed.”

Dale Springer, president of the Friends of St. Clement’s Island & Piney Point Lighthouse Museums, said the stuffed ham marker adds another layer of historical interpretation to a site already central to Maryland’s early history. He said the recognition complements ongoing efforts to rebuild the St. Clement’s Island Museum and expand the site’s ability to tell broader stories about the region.

“St. Mary’s County, depending on where you live, is well known for its stuffed ham — and everybody has their own recipe,” Springer said.

Officials Highlight Cultural Tradition And Regional Identity

During the ceremony, St. Mary’s County Commissioner President Randy Guy emphasized the cultural significance of stuffed ham, describing it as a tradition tied to family gatherings, holidays and local heritage.

Guy shared memories of learning to make stuffed ham with his family, noting that variations in greens, spices and preparation methods reflect generations of local traditions passed down across the county.

“More than just a meal, stuffed ham represents heritage, community and the gathering of families and friends,” Guy said during the ceremony.

Guy also presented a county proclamation recognizing St. Mary’s County as the birthplace of stuffed ham, calling the designation a tribute to generations who preserved the tradition.

State Delegate Matt Morgan said the stuffed ham marker highlighted both St. Mary’s County’s culinary heritage and its broader historical significance, noting the location’s proximity to St. Clement’s Island.

Morgan said the new designation adds another layer of interest for visitors and could help encourage tourism through food-related experiences, local restaurants and heritage sites throughout the region.

“You can look right across the river here and see the birthplace of Maryland… it’s a nice reminder of this area’s history.”

Morgan added that stuffed ham represented a uniquely Southern Maryland tradition that reflects the region’s identity and community atmosphere.

“Stuffed ham is just so unique and traditionally Southern Maryland, and it gives you that hometown Americana feel,” Morgan said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re from Southern Maryland or somewhere else — people really love that hometown vibe.”

During the unveiling ceremony, Morgan said the recognition highlighted a tradition many residents grew up with, and some may not realize it is unique to Southern Maryland.

“As a kid in Southern Maryland, I kind of thought everyone ate stuffed ham,” Morgan said. “It’s really great to get some recognition for this and put St. Mary’s on the map once again.”

Commissioner Eric Colvin described stuffed ham as a deeply personal and cultural tradition in St. Mary’s County, shaped by family experiences and evolving over generations. Colvin said he grew up eating stuffed ham prepared by his grandmother, whose own recipe reflected the blending of family traditions after relocating to St. Mary’s County.

“I grew up eating stuffed ham with my family, and it’s part of who we are, it’s part of our culture, and it’s delicious,” Colvin said.

Colvin noted that stuffed ham has continued to evolve, with modern variations appearing in local restaurants while still maintaining its connection to family gatherings and holiday traditions. 

“Growing up, we never would have believed you’d have stuffed ham in an egg roll — but now it’s delicious,” Colvin said.

Colvin said the new historical marker elevated the dish to a level of recognition like Maryland’s Smith Island Cake, helping introduce more visitors to the region’s culinary heritage.

“Smith Island cake is world famous, and to be able to hold stuffed ham up to that same level is really cool,” Colvin said.

Community Celebrates Stuffed Ham Tradition

As part of the unveiling, organizers invited participants to sample different variations of stuffed ham representing different parts of the county. The samples were part of a contest where visitors to the unveiling could cast a vote for their favorite stuffed ham. 

Inside The Potomac Gardens, a local bar and dance hall inside a historic 1930s-era building near the Potomac River, within walking distance from the St. Clement’s Island Museum, stuffed ham was on display. Visitors made short work of the samples and voted for their favorite.

New St. Clement’s Island Museum Construction Moves Forward

Alongside the historical marker unveiling, officials also highlighted continued progress on the new St. Clement’s Island Museum facility currently under construction at the Colton’s Point site.

Karen Stone, division manager for St. Mary’s County Museums, said construction remains on schedule, with completion anticipated later this year.

“We are still looking at December for the building to be complete,” Stone said. “Construction is going well, and we are in the early stages of working with the design firm to develop the exhibits.”

Stone said exhibit planning is still in its early phases, with additional details expected to be shared with the public later this summer. The new facility is expected to expand the museum’s ability to tell the story of Maryland’s first colonial landing, regional maritime history and the cultural traditions that shaped St. Mary’s County.

Officials said the timing of the stuffed ham marker installation also reflects the museum’s broader efforts to enhance visitor experiences and strengthen the site as a cultural and tourism destination.

Mildenstein said the new St. Clement’s Island Museum under construction represents a significant investment in the county’s tourism infrastructure. She noted that the site holds statewide historical importance as the location of Maryland’s first colonial landing, as well as the site of the first Catholic Mass in the colony. Those events helped shape Maryland’s early identity and religious tolerance.

“St. Clement’s Island is where Maryland’s history all started as a state,” Mildenstein said. “From the first landing to where we are today, it’s an important story to tell.”

Mildenstein said the new museum will allow the county to tell a broader and more inclusive story, from Indigenous populations who lived in the region before European arrival to modern-day St. Mary’s County. She said the revitalized museum is expected to strengthen the county’s existing museum network and help attract additional visitors throughout the year.

“I am thrilled to see such a large investment go into what is an important space,” Mildenstein said. “To see it get revitalized will just add to what is already a great museum network.”

Morgan also expressed support for the new St. Clement’s Island Museum currently under construction, saying the upgraded facility is expected to enhance visitor experiences and strengthen the county’s tourism offerings. Morgan noted that the site already draws visitors for events such as the annual Blessing of the Fleet, and the new museum is expected to further expand those opportunities.

“Hopefully people come down, visit restaurants, spend some money and do these little food tours. It’s a good thing for tourism,” Morgan said. “The old museum was pretty nice, and the new museum is going to be even better than that.”

Colvin said the new St. Clement’s Island Museum will further strengthen tourism and historical interpretation in the county. He noted the museum’s expected completion ahead of Maryland’s 400th anniversary and said the addition of the stuffed ham marker nearby creates another draw for visitors.

“It’s going to be this phenomenal place,” Colvin said. “A modern museum that pays homage to the area and showcases what makes our county and state great.”

Colvin added that improvements such as the new water taxi are also expected to enhance visitor access to St. Clement’s Island and surrounding historical sites.

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