Museum of Historic Annapolis

Excellent museum which explores the history of Annapolis both good and bad. At a time when people want to forget or sanitize our past, the museum serves as reminder that those who wish to forget history, are doomed to repeat it.

The Emancipation tour with Bri today was really good. She not only shares a wealth of history but is connected closely to the area with a family tree that dates back a couple hundred years. I especially loved hearing anecdotes shared from her elders to her who lived through the changes. You need to seek her out when you visit this museum!

This is just walking through rooms reading history on plaques. Not much else to see here. Severe lack of old aerials or photographs. Learning the history of this city is best found on YouTube for free. This was not worth the time or the fee.

Great Historical Information I highly suggest stopping in and taking the self guided tour.

The Museum of Historic Annapolis is the perfect example of a history day trip. A scenic short walk from public parking, you can experience the tour in under an hour grab lunch and walk to your next destination with ease while admiring how the city has fit the culture of the present into the framework of the past. No mummies or dinosaurs, just pieces of the history of the United States, Maryland and a blended port City in well-displayed showcase.

Nice Museum of Annapolis history. Amazed how they incorporated so much history in such a small space. Well done!

Absolutely the best way to get oriented to touring this incredible historic town

Well curated with interesting period displays of the city before and after the Navy arrived. Exhibits touched on all facets of a young America struggling to fulfill it's promise for all.

I was expecting a Maryland State museum in Annapolis, but instead I found this museum of historic Annapolis. When I arrived the staff at the front desk was very welcoming and friendly. I ended up chatting with them for a while before I left. This is a fairly new museum, so I don't know why Yelp has it attached to some reviews from 2018 that must reference a different museum. The visit starts off with an introductory video. From there you can head up the stairs to see 2 more floors of exhibits. It's a small building so it's not a lot of space. But the space is filled with lots of cool artifacts and information chronicling the history of Annapolis. I didn't even know it was once the capital of the country. I like that the museum doesn't gloss over the part slavery played in Maryland history. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Annapolis.

Soon after leaving the US Naval Academy campus on my short trip to the region, I noticed the Museum of Historic Annapolis while my friend was driving me around. I was interested and the museum that housed the story of historic Annapolis, Maryland was something I wanted to hear and how the origins of being Maryland's capital city became known to me and its relevancy in my brain. With that said, I arrived here around 11am on a brisk and casual Sunday in January 2023. It was a 3 story building that quietly showcases the history of Annapolis Maryland. From its humble beginnings as Maryland becoming a colony of the newly formed United States of America to the founding of the settlement back in the 1600's. Over the decades, the settlement grew and became Annapolis as we know it today in 2023. The main feature of the museum was their timeline of events that is separated between three floors. They each have their own section that comes complete with artifacts from the historical time periods related to the period it's relating to. The museum, while having 3 stories, is fairly small to its stature, but it does tell the story of the city of Annapolis thru visual representations and manifestations of what life was like living here thru the decades. It's neat to see how other parts of the country were developing when I was not even here, even in the late 1980 - current. They even included the influenza outbreak of 1918 and the current Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 into its timeline. It was cool to be here though. I think my time spent here was at most an hour before heading to lunch nearby. I enjoyed myself and I got a glimpse of how life was like back in the day here in the region. The overall experience here at the Museum of Historic Annapolis Here in Annapolis Maryland was decidedly good and fun to learn. It was also awesome and educational. It was nice to spend some downtime in the city before heading to the airport for my flight home. While it was a small museum and such, it was a glimpse into the past of the city. The exhibits were good and it tells the story of the city, but it can't compare to the other big city museums that have way more stuff in a way more larger space than that of this museum in historic Annapolis, Maryland. My friend and I spent about an hour or so. It wasn't as quick as we thought, since I tried to immerse myself into the history and how this city developed over the decades. Try not to rush it, since admission fee is $10. It's worth the extra time to see everything, especially if you're there and spending the money for it. The museum staff at the front desk was friendly and nice. They asked if I was from out of town, and I had to say something. For the most part though, the experience was good and typical. I was glad it was just $10, otherwise, I'd be disappointed and a little annoyed at the value presented versus what we paid for it. Still, it is a cute museum that helps visitors visualize the city and its rich history from the Native American days and colonization till the industrial revolution. From the Civil War era to present day Annapolis, you get the entire story. It's pretty extensive but simplistic in its presentation. The museum of Historic Annapolis is located at 99 Main Street in Annapolis, Maryland. Pretty much on the main drag of town. They accept major credit cards, which is always a plus for me, and cash too. Donations are always welcomed. They also have a gift shop for anyone who wants to purchase gifts with the Annapolis theme on it. As far as parking goes, they have a few spots right in front of the museum. Best bet is to get here early enough to covet a spot. If not there, there's nearby street parking whenever you can find it. Not sure if Annapolis has a local bus or rail system, but if they do, consider using them if you don't particularly like cars or driving. If nothing else, Uber and Lyft can help you out as well. If you are a history buff and or just enjoy museums, consider the Museum of Historic Annapolis if you are in the area or just happen to be passing through. It's good to support museums and learn something new along the way. I know I did that morning. 4.0 stars for the overall experience. Support local! B

This museum is new and fresh! Quality content in a well thought out layout. If you are visiting Annapolis this should be your first stop. The staff are friendly and helpful and the museum is self -directed. There is a great intro video. It's located right in the heart of Annapolis. Every time I go I learn something new.

This is a small two-story museum tucked into the Annapolis's downtown shopping district. Admission is free and there is a donation box on the first floor. When I visited, the exhibit on display was named "Freedom Bound: Runaways of the Chesapeake". It chronicles the lives of nine men and women who attempted to escape from slavery. Their names were Jack, Oliver, Stephen, Rolla, Henry, James, Nace, Candis and Isabella. They were all runaway slaves or indentured servants. Their stories are all here, so you can read about how one went on a 350 mile trek to freedom in Connecticut, or how one found refuge on a British warship, or how one joined the Union army. One even went to court to gain his freedom. The nine displays are very moving- each has a full sized figure wearing the clothing of the day in front of a poster summarizing each account of their runs to freedom.

Interesting stories about the Fugitives but not a whole lot else. But it's definitely worth a quick visit.

Annapolis is a really cool town, but you aren't missing anything if you skip this museum. It's very small, and none of the exhibits when we were there (summer 2013) were particularly interesting. Generally, the place feels somewhat amateurish, and not at all like visiting a larger city-funded museum. Depending on your perspective, you may also pick up a subtle tinge of racism during your visit. The central theme, based on the tour guide's speech and the exhibits themselves, is that there were white slaves early in U.S. history. It was a bit strange; the guide was really trying to sell us hard on that, as if to justify black slavery somehow. Add to that the guide's rant about how unfair Paula Deen's* criticism in the media had been, we definitely felt uncomfortable. This museum is free, but there is so much to do in Annapolis, I don't see much point in coming here. If you want a great free museum, head about 40 minutes west into D.C. and check out the dozen or so Smithsonian museums. Or hey - head down a few streets to the Naval Academy. ------------- Endnote: * Paula Deen is a famous television chef who lost her show because of alleged use of racial epithets in her personal life.

While I agree that the museum cannot compare to the Smithsonian Institute, I have to ask, who can? I like coming here mostly because of the shop and the interesting things that you can purchase with an Annapolis theme.