St. Mary’s County Government’s Museum Division, in partnership with the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions (UCAC), will be offering free open houses for visitors and the community at the Drayden African American Schoolhouse for Juneteenth from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2024; Sunday, June 16, 2024; and Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
The Drayden African American Schoolhouse is one of the nation’s best-preserved one-room African American schoolhouses, and its story represents a significant part of St. Mary’s County’s African American history. Visitors are invited to learn more about the restored schoolhouse, its rich history and importance to education in St. Mary’s County. Hear the real stories about how African American students learned in this school up until the mid-20th century.
“We are so pleased to open the Drayden African American Schoolhouse during Juneteenth weekend, so that our community can learn more about this important piece of our county’s African American history,” says Karen Stone, Manager of the St. Mary’s County Museum Division. “We appreciate the continuing support of the volunteers who man the interpretive center for us, most of whom are members of the UCAC.”
The Museum Division also offers special programs for school, bus, and other tour groups who would like to schedule a visit to the Drayden School site. Individual visitors who would like to see the schoolhouse during times outside open house hours can contact the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum at (301) 994-1471 to arrange a visit. For more information, please visit Facebook.com/DraydenSchool.
About the St. Mary’s County Museum Division: The St. Mary’s County Museum Division was established by the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County to collect, preserve, research, and interpret the historic sites and artifacts which illustrate the natural and cultural histories of St. Mary’s County and the Potomac River. These sites include St. Clement’s Island Museum, Piney Point Lighthouse Museum, the Old Jail Museum, and the Drayden African American Schoolhouse. With this as its charter, the Museum Division serves as a resource, liaison, and community advocate for all St. Mary’s County public and private cultural assets. For more information, please visit: museums.stmarysmd.com.
