Frequently Asked Questions

Leashed animals are welcome to walk with their owners on all trail paths, with the exception of the Godiah Spray Tobacco Plantation. Due to safety concerns, animals are not allowed into the Plantation exhibit area (with the exception of service animals). Pets are not allowed inside buildings.

The museum is open March through November.
March through June, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
July through August, Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
September through November, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Visit Admission & Hours for more information.

While the living history sites are closed, visitors are welcome to stroll the grounds and enjoy the interpretive signage.

The Shop at Farthing’s Ordinary does not currently offer online orders. The Shop hours are listed here. If you have any questions for please contact the shopkeeper at 240-895-2088 or ginger.newman-askew@maryland.gov.

No. In order to keep the livestock healthy, we do not allow visitors to feed them.

A 1 mile loop will take you from the Visitor Center to the Woodland Indian Hamlet, Town Center, Maryland Dove, The Shop at Farthing’s Ordinary, the Brick Chapel of 1667, and back to the Visitor Center. You may wish to drive to the St. John’s Site Museum and the Godiah Spray Tobacco Plantation (½ mile from the Visitor Center). Check out our Museum Map for more information.

Yes, you do need a ticket to visit the living history sites – the Maryland Dove, the Woodland Indian Hamlet, Town Center, and the Godiah Spray Tobacco Plantation. You may purchase tickets at the Visitor Center and The Shop at Farthing’s Ordinary.

• $10 General Admission
• $ 9 Seniors
• $ 6 Students, ages 6-18
• Free Children ages 5 and under

Visit Admission & Hours for more information.

HSMC has trained guides to lead tours that suit all ages and most interests. For more information, contact the Public Programs office at hsmcc.groups@maryland.gov, 240-895-4979, or 240-895-4980. You may also visit the Group Tours page.

Our main phone number is 240-895-4990, and email is hsmcc.info@maryland.gov. Visit our Contact Us page for more information.

Allow around four hours to visit the living history areas and the Visitor Center artifact exhibit. Add another hour to tour the St. John’s Site Museum.

Great question, but no. Maryland Dove was built from 2019 to 2022 at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Information on Maryland Dove and history of the original 1634 Dove can be found at www.MarylandDove.org.

Snacks and beverages are sold in The Shop at Farthing’s Ordinary. Artisanal breads and sandwiches are sold at Enso Kitchen, located on the museum property, Monday through Friday. An extensive buffet is available most days in the Great Room at the St. Mary’s College of Maryland Campus Center, about ¼ mile from The Shop at Farthing’s Ordinary. Check with the Visitor Center, the Shop, or online at St. Mary’s County Tourism to learn about other off-site dining options.

Underground. When the colonial capital moved to Annapolis in 1695, the name remained. Some of the buildings that once stood here were dismantled and their parts re-used. Others were left to decay. Because the site of the city was farmed and relatively undisturbed, remnants of the city remain buried underground for future archaeologists, making this area one of the finest 17th-century colonial archaeology sites in the nation.

The State of Maryland. HSMC is an independent entity under the Governor’s Office. It is governed by the Historic St. Mary’s City Commission.

Yes, you may schedule multiple visits to see your selected venue. If you plan to schedule your visit during museum operating hours (typically Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.—4 p.m.), you should contact the Events Manager prior to visiting. It isn’t necessary for the Event Manager to be there unless you are visiting The Inn.

Yes. Your selected caterer must be insured.

We do not recommend decorating until the day of your event – humidity, squirrels and birds can ruin outside decorations. The weather can affect fresh arrangements so it is best to decorate the day of your event. Our staff works with you to schedule a time to decorate knowing that you may be working around hair and makeup appointments.

That is between you and the barserve business or caterer that has their off-site liquor license that you hire. If you are providing the alcohol, the alcohol cannot be brought to any of our public venues until a staff member is present.

All the wedding venues in ‘Town Center’ have use of Farthing’s Bathroom which is ADA compliant and climate controlled. For weddings or events at The Inn at Brome Howard, you would be responsible for the need to rent a portable bathroom. The Inn itself has an ADA bathroom.

HSMC has a number of beautiful and unique venues that can be leased for private and corporate events. For more information, contact the Events Coordinator at mary.bohanan@maryland.gov, or 240-895-4991.

A contingency hold can be placed on a date and site but must be confirmed with a contract and deposit within two weeks. If, during that time, another client requests the same venue and date, you will have the right of first refusal and 24 hours to provide the contract and non-refundable deposit.

The outdoor areas of the State House and The Inn can accommodate 500+ with the use of tents. The State House can accommodate 90-140 depending on type of use and tables used. The Inn can accommodate 60 for a standup reception in the two main dining rooms.

We have household current at all of our sites – some have more outlets than others. The HSMC Event Manager will work with you to determine your electrical needs and if renting a generator is necessary. Generally, only a generator is necessary if you are having a band or your caterer is cooking on site.

The wedding party can get dressed on the second floor of the State House. If you have rented the weekend package at The Inn at Brome Howard, the wedding party can get dressed in rooms there.

We watch the weather predictions closely before any event and always have an alternate plan. That plan may be to move the ceremony to inside the State House or move the ceremony to under the tent on the dance floor. If you have rented a tent, our tent and other rental companies have windowed sides that can be rented as well. We will work with you to reschedule, should a more extreme weather situation occur.

The official address for the State House is: 47418 Old State House Road, St. Mary’s City, MD 20686. The official address for The Inn at Brome Howard is: 18281 Rosecroft Rd., St. Mary’s City, MD 20686.

All personal decorations are to be removed at the end of your event. If you have rented The Inn at Brome Howard for the weekend, you do not have to remove your decorations until Sunday at check-out time.

Unless you are renting Maryland Dove as part of your event, it cannot be guaranteed that Maryland Dove will be docked during your event.