Charles County Overflows With Cultural Attractions
History buffs and artistic personalities are in heaven in Charles County, thanks to the area’s rich heritage and deep appreciation for the arts. Historic attractions abound in the area, which traces its roots back to 1658. In La Plata, the African-American Heritage Society Museum houses 17th-century artifacts and documents from the slavery era. Nearby Port Tobacco is the original home of the Indian Village of Potopaco, and it offers tours of a one-room schoolhouse and reconstructed courthouse saluting its 1600s heyday. Port Tobacco was also the home of Thomas Stone, a lawyer and politician who signed the Declaration of Independence. Tourists can explore the Thomas Stone National Historic Site, Stone’s sprawling estate that includes a tobacco plantation, colonial mansion and 19th-century farm buildings.
Dive Into the Arts
Community theater thrives in Charles County, with groups such as the Port Tobacco Players and the Hard Bargain Players entertaining audiences in La Plata and Accokeek. The Black Box Theatre at The Indian Head Center for the Arts gives residents another venue in which to perform, with regularly sold-out events featuring music, theater and open mic performances. Meanwhile, the Charles County Arts Alliance helps strengthen the area arts community by promoting non-profit arts agencies through its weekly newsletter that provides information about upcoming arts activities. Formed in 1987, the Charles County Arts Alliance also sponsors River Artsfest, a popular annual festival held on the Village Green in Indian Head. The daylong event features musicians, artists and performers from all over Maryland and attracts 2,000 visitors each year.
More Historic Gems
The small town of Benedict played a big role in America’s struggle for independence. During the War of 1812, British troops landed in Benedict, marched to Washington, D.C. and burned the city. One of the best-known stories among locals is that of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, who was thrust into the national spotlight when he mended the leg of assassin John Wilkes Booth the day after Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln. Mudd was sentenced to life in prison but was pardoned by President Andrew Johnson in 1869. Visitors can tour the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum, which includes Mudd’s home, a gift shop, kitchen, exhibit building and outbuildings on 10 acres. Maryland has long been known as the birthplace of America’s religious freedom. It is home to some of our nation’s oldest churches, including the site of the first Roman Catholic mass celebrated in English-speaking America. Today, these historic sites and buildings can be seen on a self-guided driving tour along The Religious Freedom Byway. The inspirational journey stretches 195 miles and takes about five hours to drive.
