Maryland Day at St. Clement’s Island

The Maryland Day Celebration has its roots in a significant historical event on March 23, 1634, when the first English settlers arrived at St. Clement’s Island aboard the Ark and the Dove. This momentous occasion marked the beginning of Maryland’s colonial history, as the settlers, who had journeyed from Cowes on the Isle of Wight, landed safely and, two days later, held a mass of thanksgiving for their safe arrival. March 25 has since been commemorated annually as Maryland Day, honoring the perseverance and faith of those early colonists. Recognizing its historical significance, a 40-foot stone cross was erected on the island in 1934 to celebrate Maryland’s 300th anniversary, symbolizing the state’s foundational commitment to religious toleration.

Maryland Day 2025 will be celebrated on St Clement’s Island on March 25 from 10 am-5 pm, and will celebrate the founding of Maryland at the state’s birthplace at St. Clement’s Island Museum with FREE admission to the museum all day (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.), FREE water taxi rides (9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.), official ceremony featuring guest speakers and program – including the exchange of ceremonial gifts between the Piscataway and the English settlers (2:00 p.m.).

Maryland Day at St. Clement’s Island Activities:

Commemoration Mass on St. Clement’s Island (10 AM)
Official Commemoration Ceremony at museum (2 PM)
Farm.Fork Soul. Food Truck all day (https://www.facebook.com/Farm.Fork.Soul.FoodTruck)
Activities regarding indigenous (Piscataway) uses of various materials (and possibly incorporate how teaching these practices to the settlers helped them to survive).
A guided boat ride and short, low-impact hike on St. Clements Island. The boat ride will focus on “what’s under the Potomac,” and the short hike will focus on history and ecological significance of the island (12 pm and 3 PM)
Historic St. Mary’s City exhibit
Friends of St. Clement’s Island & Piney Point Museums exhibit

This event commemorates the first landing of the colonists on St. Clement’s Island – a significant part of the island’s, St. Mary’s County’s, and the State of Maryland’s story.