St. Mary's City Blog #5: City during the Civil War and Making an Historic Landmark

Map of St Mary's City location

In this fifth and final  blog about historic St. Mary's City, Maryland, you'll learn about the City during the Civil War and when it was designated an Historic Landmark.

ST. MARY'S CITY AND THE CIVIL WAR -  Union troops occupied St. Mary's County during the Civil War.  They burned piers and wharfs to stop trade with the confederacy which was only across the Potomac River. Also burned was Brome's Wharf, part of the Brome-Howard Plantation.

WHAT IS THE BROME HOUSE? 

The Brome house and plantation was owned by Doctor Brome, a slave-owner and a likely confederate sympathizer during the civil war.

  Archaeologists discovered that his house was built over one of Governor Leonard Calvert's houses that previously stood there. 

 Among the ruins of Brome's house, there is archaeological evidence that the Union Army may have occupied the plantation for some time.

Part of the foundation of the Broome House 

MADE A NATIONAL LANDMARK - St. Mary's was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1969. The plan recommended acquisition of 1,200 acres and suggested a museum, visitor center, working tobacco farm, public transportation, and reconstruction of the Ark and Dove ships as first steps in the reconstruction of the historic city. The Dove was reconstructed, but the Ark was not. 

We hope you enjoyed touring the city with us!