The St. John’s Site Museum in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, houses one of the largest enclosed structures from the colonial era. This historic site served as a meeting place for some of Maryland’s earliest legislators, long before the founding of the United States.

The St. John’s site in St. Mary’s County stands as one of Maryland’s—and the nation’s—most significant historic landmarks. Built in 1638 for John Lewger, Maryland’s first provincial secretary, the house was among the largest enclosed structures in the colony. It served as an early seat of government, where lawmakers gathered to shape policies supporting Lord Baltimore’s revolutionary mandate for the free practice of Christianity—more than 150 years before religious freedom was enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.

It was here that Margaret Brent famously petitioned for a woman’s right to vote, and where Mathias de Sousa, a man of African descent, took part in the colonial government’s general assembly—an extraordinary moment in colonial America.

Today, the St. John’s Site Museum in St. Mary’s County, preserves the foundation of the home that stood here throughout the 17th-century. Through vivid artwork, visitors can explore how the house and plantation evolved and gain insight into Tidewater earthfast architecture. A collection of rare artifacts uncovered at the site is on display, and engaging exhibits bring to life the events that shaped Maryland’s early identity. Interactive videos feature key historical figures and day-to-day colonial life. Visitors can examine the contents of a trash pit and gain a unique perspective on life during this important time. With cutting-edge exhibits and storytelling, the museum highlights how archaeologists, historians, and oral traditions work together to reveal the past.

Please visit Admission & Hours for times the exhibits are open.

If you would like your county featured in Fun Fact, please get in touch with Amanda Grosskrueger at agrosskrueger@mdcounties.org.