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Newtowne Manor House
St. Mary's County Garden Club
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St. Mary’s County lies on the peninsula bounded by the famous “Oyster Waters”, the Patuxent and Potomac Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. In similar fashion this year’s tour features waterfront locations, houses and gardens on both sides of the southern most tip of the peninsula. George Calvert, First Lord Baltimore, petitioned King Charles I in the early 1600’s for a land grant to establish a new colony where all religions could be practiced freely. George Calvert died before carrying out his settlement plans, and his son, Cecilius (Cecil) Calvert, Second Lord Baltimore inherited his estate. In November 1633, Cecil sent his brother Leonard Calvert, along with 140 settlers and adventurers aboard the Ark and the Dove bound for Maryland. The two ships landed at St. Clement’s Island on March 25, 1634, marking the birth of the Maryland colony. Following exploration of the region the settlers relocated further south on what is known today as the St. Mary’s River where they purchased from the Yaocomico Indians 30 miles of land, renaming it “St. Maries”. The Native Americans aided the colonist during the establishment of this new settlement. St. Mary’s City became Maryland’s first capital and Leonard Calvert its first Governor.
The St. Mary's County Tour 2025 took place on Saturday, May 31, This special event offered access to exclusive properties open only on the day of the tour. |