Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director

Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC) in its modern incarnation was established in 1966 by the State of Maryland to commemorate the first capital of the Maryland colony (est. 1634).  After half a century of operation, HSMC is a well-established, fully accredited museum and historical park with a host of assets. The park and museum are open to the public from March through November; and they host some holiday events.

 HSMC’s mission is to preserve and protect the archaeological and historical record of Maryland’s first colonial capital and to appropriately develop and use this historic and scenic site for the education, enjoyment, and general benefit of the public. The lands HSMC stewards have been designated as a National Historic Landmark, one of the highest designations conferred by the U.S. Department of the Interior. HSMC is recognized as one of the foremost early settlement site museums in North America. 

Today, the museum consists of 850 acres supporting more than 100 structures, including the Reconstructed State House of 1676, the Godiah Spray Plantation, Farthings Ordinary, chapel, numerous “ghost frame” buildings, the recently commissioned (2022) Maryland Dove (a full-scale reproduction of a 17th century merchant ship), and visitor center. A new interpretive center is under construction with a planned opening in late 2026.

The museum’s interpretive work is grounded in historical and archaeological research. Since the museum’s inception more than 50 years ago, this research has contributed to new and transformative understandings of life in the first century of English colonization in North America. Most recently, staff archaeologists have uncovered traces of the original 1634 fort, erected not long after the colonists’ arrival in March of that year.

A pioneer in living history, HSMC interprets for visitors the lives of the first English settlers in this region. The museum also interprets the histories and lives of the site’s Indigenous people and the Africans and African Americans who labored on the site’s historic townlands and plantations.

The museum’s extensive 850-acre parkland provides opportunities for recreation in forests and fields, with a dramatic waterfront overlooking the St. Mary’s River.  A hike or bike ride on the miles of trails presents a timeless view of human occupation on this beautiful, environmentally protected landscape. Stewardship of this archaeologically sensitive land, water-adjacent ecosystems, and other natural and cultural resources require thoughtful development and preservation.

HSMC is managed by the Historic St. Mary’s City Commission, including 17 members who are not employees of the museum. Thirteen commissioners are appointed to four-year terms by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. Of four ex officio members, two vote and two are nonvoting members. The Commission names the Executive Director.

The museum is at an important moment in its history. Maryland is less than a decade away from its 400th birthday that will place it, with Virginia and Massachusetts, among a very small number of original English colonies (now states). HSMC will be at the center of that commemoration as the flagship institution interpreting the arrival of settlers to tis land. There will be no better opportunity in our collective lifetimes to provide the first capital with the attention it deserves, making the museum and park a treasured gift and legacy to future generations.

HSMC seeks an experienced, innovative museum leader to continue the organization’s path of building the museum while also strengthening support for the upcoming 400thanniversary.  The achie