Southern Maryland Equity in History Coalition

Accessing the Diverse History of Southern Maryland

About the project

The Southern Maryland Equity in History Coalition’s objective is to elevate the history of Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color across Southern Maryland. Organizations across the three counties that hold this history (museums, community organizations, school systems, colleges, historical societies, churches and libraries) are working together to identify this history and make it accessible through a comprehensive easily searchable website and directing a range of audiences to the history. Without knowing this history, we cannot fully understand and address the causes of racism. If we promote an understanding of our own rich local history, it will humanize the stories and make this history more readily understood and impactful. This local history in Southern Maryland is extensive, but too often has not been revealed or has been constrained within the “silos” of organizations. Our specific products will be:

• Website – A comprehensive easily searchable website that elevates access to this history for teachers, students, the people of Southern Maryland, and those beyond the region. The website will be hosted by St. Mary’s College of Maryland and aligned with the State social studies requirements. The website is currently in production.
• Teacher institutes that inform and support the education systems about the website and local history. Teachers will have the opportunity to learn from historians, work with the website and enhance their lesson planning. Three institutes will be administered with the school systems over the summer of 2024 at Calvert Marine Museum on June 25, 2024, at St. Mary’s College of Maryland in conjunction with Historic St. Mary’s City on July 17, 2024, and at Piscataway Park/ Accokeek Foundation on August 2, 2024.
• Communitywide event celebrating the Coalition, our local history providers, and introducing the website. To be held at the Dodge Performing Arts Center at St. Mary’s College of Maryland on May 1, 2024.
• Set of resources that promotes the website and local history and encourages heritage tourism.

The Mission of the Coalition

To connect and empower community-based organizations, and educational and public institutions throughout Southern Maryland to elevate access to the collective and multi-perspective history of the region.

Guiding Principle – an inclusive and honest telling of history

• Provides a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the past,
• Honors the voice and experiences of Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color,
• Humanizes people of the past and present, and
• Creates empathy, respect, and understanding amongst community members.

Thirty Participating Organizations