Maryland is not usually considered a first tier state in the nation's historical narrative. However, the legacy of the state’s first capital at St. Mary's City, and two nearby regional sites, provides an important set of lessons for those interested in American democracy. Opening a living dialogue with Maryland’s past is significant to the country, academically relevant, and likely to yield unique perspectives on American history that will help teachers meet the mandated state standards of learning in many different states.

The Chesapeake region played a significant but undervalued role in shaping civic beliefs and practices in colonial America.

 Important milestones in American history pertaining to “liberty of conscience” in religion, representative government, indigenous and minority rights, and rule of law took place at landmark sites in southern Maryland during seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. For example, at St. Mary’s City the following took place in the 17^th century:

·        The first meetings of the Maryland General Assembly; 

·        Comparatively peaceful relations with Native Americans;

·        The first person of African ancestry (Mathias de Sousa) to vote in a North   

         American legislature;

·        The first woman (Margaret Brent) in North America to petition a General Assembly

         for the right to vote;

·        The establishment of the first printing press south of Boston.

Within 20 minutes of St. Mary’s City there are two other important historic sites that will be a part of the workshop programs:

·    The Sotterley Plantation (1710) - a National Historic Landmark that is the sole surviving Tidewater Plantation in Maryland open to the public. The 100-acre grounds include an original slave cabin built in the 1830s and historical records from relatives of the plantation’s slave families.

·    The Point Lookout State Park and prisoner of war site (1863-65) – Following the Battle of Gettysburg, Union authorities sent Confederate prisoners to Point Lookout. More than 50,000 Confederate prisoners passed through Point Lookout and nearly 4,000 died from exposure, disease, and starvation.

     Through the hands-on use of these historic sites, workshops will be able to combine classroom lectures and discussions, taught by experts, with on-site visits to spur critical thinking about the past, present, and future of United States.