Calendar of Events

Join us as we celebrate the life and legacy of colonial printer, Anne Catharine Hoof Green. Come along on this special walking tour as we retrace Mrs. Green’s footsteps through the city of Annapolis and honor her legacy on the 250th anniversary of her death. Listen as living historians discuss her influence as printer of… Continue reading In Memoriam: The Life and Legacy of Anne Catharine Hoof Green

Revel in a music-filled afternoon as we welcome special guests the Trident Brass Ensemble, the Naval Academy’s midshipmen jazz and swing band, to the Paca Garden! A variety of jazz and big band classics by these talented instrumentalists will accompany your exploration of the garden’s terraced landscape, formal parterres, naturalistic wilderness, and practical kitchen and… Continue reading USNA Trident Brass in the Paca Garden

The William Paca House has sheltered many people and served many functions since the 1760s. It was home to a signer of the Declaration of Independence, aristocratic refugees from war-torn Europe, and a Navy widow whose sons-in-law fought on opposite sides in the Civil War. It was part of a hotel founded by a national… Continue reading Virtual Lecture – The William Paca House: 250 Years of an Annapolis Landmark

Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime is a fun hour full of reading and activities in the William Paca Garden, a secret treasure in the Historic District of Annapolis. Each program is designed for little ones, 3-7 years, with a book reading, song, and craft/art project, plus time to explore the Paca Garden following the story hour.… Continue reading Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime: “Spring is Here: A Bear and Mole Story” by Will Hillenbrand

Walk in the footsteps of patriot leader William Paca as you follow his dramatic personal and political story through the revolutionary era. Learn how a promising young lawyer became a rebel, a revolutionary, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and the Governor of Maryland through the course of less than 20 years.

Rise and Shine with Yoga in the Paca Garden! Join us for this special yoga series with Cathy Shaw. This 50-minute Vinyasa yoga style class is designed for all levels and includes sequences such as sun salutations, standing and seated postures, back bending and a strong focus on the power of breath awareness. Suitable for… Continue reading Yoga in the Garden I

Stop by Hogshead Trades Museum to watch the clockmaker assemble an actual clock from the 1800s and install it in its case. Try your hand to “help” set up a clock and learn about the “Techie” world of times past! Admission Cost: $5 suggested donation Accessibility Considerations: Access to Hogshead requires ascending and descending two… Continue reading It’s About Time: Meet a Clockmaker

How and why did slavery begin in North America? It’s an incredibly important question, as America’s embrace of racial slavery as a major labor system is an event which has colored the development of this continent ever since. How were traditional practices of enslavement in Africa and Europe similar to and different from the system… Continue reading Virtual Lecture – The Origins of American Slavery

Join us on the Paca Terrace and meet furniture maker Bob Van Dyke. Visitors will learn about Federal period furniture with a focus on Annapolis cabinet maker, John Shaw. Bob will demonstrate some of the techniques used to create basic inlays. As Director of the Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking and a Contributing Editor for… Continue reading Federal Furniture Demonstration with Bob Van Dyke

Annapolis wasn’t necessarily the most exciting place culturally in the middle of the 18th century, so a group of mostly Scottish immigrants decided to make things happen.  They formed a gentlemen’s club, held bi-monthly meetings for over ten years, and left us with a rich and often comical account of their goings-on.  Music (and also rum… Continue reading Virtual Lecture – Music of the “Ancient and Honorable Tuesday Club of Annapolis” (1745-1756)

Join us for a full day outing to experience Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello! We will travel by motorcoach to Charlottesville, VA, and enjoy a guided Highlights Tour of the first-floor spaces in Thomas Jefferson’s home, the West Lawn and South Wing. This experience also includes a boxed lunch, as well as access to the gardens, grounds,… Continue reading Visit Monticello with Historic Annapolis

Take a break from screen time and join the students of Broadneck High School’s Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society at Hogshead Trades Museum for a day of old-fashioned fun! Students will demonstrate children’s games that were popular in colonial times such as skittles and shut the box. Everyone has a chance to participate… Continue reading Colonial Games Day at Hogshead

Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime is a fun hour full of reading and activities in the William Paca Garden, a secret treasure in the Historic District of Annapolis. Each program is designed for little ones, 3-7 years, with a book reading, song, and craft/art project, plus time to explore the Paca Garden following the story hour. … Continue reading Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime: “Trees Make Perfect Pets: A Story About Nature, Plants, and Gardening For Kids” by Paul Czajak

Join us for a special Spring workshop on the Paca House Terrace, presented in partnership with our friends at Homestead Gardens. This afternoon workshop will be presented by a Homestead Gardens expert who will share tips on growing and caring for culinary herbs.  Participants will then be guided in creating a Culinary Herb Garden planter… Continue reading Culinary Herb Workshop in Paca Garden

Join Nathan M. Richardson as Frederick Douglass for an in-depth look at the writings and oratory of Frederick Douglass. Experience this internationally-acclaimed first person interpretation. See the 19th century literary masters through the eyes of Frederick Douglass. Learn about the personal relationships, the letters between them and the influenced their writings and activism had in… Continue reading Virtual Lecture – Douglass Amongst Literary Giants

Meet living historian Daniel Sieh to explore the lives of Asians in the United States in the 1700’s and discover some of the under told stories of the American Revolution. Through documents, activities, and objects, Daniel shares how global trade connected the lives of sailors, soldiers, traders, and enslaved people from Asia as they navigated… Continue reading Asian Americans in the Revolutionary War

Join us as Scott Shane discusses his book, FLEE NORTH: A Forgotten Hero and the Fight for Freedom in Slavery’s Borderland.  Learn the astonishing story of Thomas Smallwood, born into slavery near Washington, who bought his freedom, became a shoemaker and began organizing mass escapes from slavery from Washington, Baltimore and the surrounding counties. With… Continue reading Book Talk: Flee North: A Forgotten Hero and the Fight for Freedom in Slavery’s Borderland with author Scott Shane

One of Maryland few Jewish Revolutionary War veterans, Elias Pollock was a successful businessman in Baltimore during the early 1800s until his son-in-law bankrupted him. Over the course of his life, Pollock took great pains to identify himself as a Jew at a time when doing so was a political act. The story of Jewish… Continue reading Virtual Lecture – Elias Pollock and the Forgotten Jews of Early Maryland

A tradition for over 40 years, the William Paca Garden Plant Sale provides the opportunity to take home a piece of history. HA volunteers personally raise over 8,000 plants – perennials, annuals, trees, vines, and vegetable starts – that represent the best of the old and the new. Staff and volunteers are on hand to… Continue reading William Paca Garden Plant Sale

A tradition for over 40 years, the William Paca Garden Plant Sale provides the opportunity to take home a piece of history. HA volunteers personally raise over 8,000 plants – perennials, annuals, trees, vines, and vegetable starts – that represent the best of the old and the new. Staff and volunteers are on hand to… Continue reading William Paca Garden Plant Sale

Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime is a fun hour full of reading and activities in the William Paca Garden, a secret treasure in the Historic District of Annapolis. Each program is designed for little ones, 3-7 years, with a book reading, song, and craft/art project, plus time to explore the Paca Garden following the story hour.… Continue reading Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime: “Mother’s Day, Here I Come!” by David Steinberg

Rise and Shine with Yoga in the Paca Garden! Join us for this special yoga series with Cathy Shaw. This 50-minute Vinyasa yoga style class is designed for all levels and includes sequences such as sun salutations, standing and seated postures, back bending and a strong focus on the power of breath awareness. Suitable for… Continue reading Yoga in the Garden II

May is preservation month! Join us for a guided walking tour of Brewer Hill Cemetery. Learn the origins of this historic African American burial site. Hear stories of those interred here including military veterans, activists and local luminaries. Learn about current preservation and documentation projects at the Cemetery today and how you can get involved!… Continue reading Brewer Hill Cemetery Tour with Historic Annapolis

Drop in and visit the William Paca Garden, a charming respite in the heart of bustling Annapolis. On this day, you’ll encounter the colonial gentry of Annapolis enjoying a garden party at the Summer House, portrayed by the Annapolis Living Historians. Interact with these finely-dressed friends of William & Mary Paca as they delight in… Continue reading Garden Party with the Pacas

Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime is a fun hour full of reading and activities in the William Paca Garden, a secret treasure in the Historic District of Annapolis. Each program is designed for little ones, 3-7 years, with a book reading, song, and craft/art project, plus time to explore the Paca Garden following the story hour. … Continue reading Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime: “The Bug Collector” by Alex Griffiths

Jefferson Holland will share some of his favorite places to explore in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County with notes from his book, “ Walk around Arundel: 52 places to hike with your dog (and other best friends)” – a collection of essays from his popular column in the Annapolis Capital. Food and drink suggestion: crab… Continue reading Virtual Lecture – Walk Around Arundel: 52 Places to Hike with Your Dog(and other best friends) with Jefferson Holland

Join us in the Paca Garden as Maryland Opera celebrates the season with arias and ensembles from Grand Opera, Operetta, and Broadway/The Great American Songbook.  Hear your favorites sung by renowned singers in a beautiful setting where it is “Summertime and the living is easy”! Doors open at 2:30 pm come early and enjoy the… Continue reading The Sounds of Summer with Maryland Opera

Join us for the 17th annual Paca Girlfriends Party! Wander the picturesque William Paca Garden as you enjoy a glass of bubbly and indulge in culinary creations prepared by the area’s premier chefs. Shop in our festive marketplace, meet and greet with local designers, and connect with a wide network of influential women. This popular… Continue reading Paca Girlfriends Party

Loyalist Ladies of Annapolis – the King is ever our Sovereign! Stop by Hogshead Milliner’s Shop and meet Mrs. Calvert and Mrs.Dulaney. The year is 1775, and these refined women would never publicly express their loyalist opinions, but you might be able to hear their actual sentiments after the merchant steps out of the shop… Continue reading Loyalist Ladies of Annapolis

Rise and Shine with Yoga in the Paca Garden! Join us for this special yoga series with Cathy Shaw. This 50-minute Vinyasa yoga style class is designed for all levels and includes sequences such as sun salutations, standing and seated postures, back bending and a strong focus on the power of breath awareness. Suitable for… Continue reading Yoga in the Garden III

Meet the Civil War First Maryland Volunteer Infantry Regiment on Pinkney Street! Learn about their recruiting efforts in August and September of 1862 to replace troops lost at the battle of Front Royal, as well as reintegrate the prisoners to be exchanged and paroled at Camp Parole. Cost is FREE with Suggested Donation of $5… Continue reading Civil War First Maryland Volunteer Infantry Regiment: Living History on Pinkney Street

Begin your 4th of July morning with an inspirational Naturalization Ceremony on the outdoor terrace of the William Paca House and Garden, when people from communities around the globe become our nation’s newest citizens in a ceremony conducted by officials from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The Naturalization Ceremony is free and open to the… Continue reading Naturalization Ceremony