A merryland for all - historic, recreational and cultural places for tourists to enjoy in Maryland - Advertising Supplement: Maryland's African American Culture

American Visions, April-May, 1993 by Patricia J. Bacchus

In the Uniontown Historic District, out in Carroll County, private residences, a one-room schoolhouse and a general store reflect the diverse architectures of periods dating from early Colonial times, whereas the Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster, an 1800s farmhouse with farm equipment and a general store, yields the best feel of rural 19th-century Maryland.

Walking the streets of Annapolis - the only way to fully savor the town - makes you feel as if you've just stepped into a time machine. Grand mansions; small, tucked-away cottages landmarks now operating as shops and a variety of restaurants are all at hand.

Annapolis truly is a historic town. From November 1783 to August 1784, it was the nation's capital. Here, in the Old Senate Chamber of the Maryland State House General George Washington resigned his command of the Continental Armies. Three weeks later, in the same room, the Continental Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris, ending the war with Britain and signaling the birth of a new nation.

Annapolis also has the distinction of being the sailing capital of America. An entire day can be lost (time well-spent) simply sitting along the waterfront watching sailing craft bobbing at anchor on the waves or gliding along the glistening water. Should you feel the need to stretch your legs, you again can wander unrivaled streetscapes and incredible gardens reflecting three centuries of growth and change. The London Town Publik House and Garden is but one place to pause. The two-story Colonial brick inn overlooking the South River dates back to 1760. Adding to the charm of the town are the natural woodland gardens, the Azalea Walk and the Wildflower Garden.

The Seton Shrine, the birthplace and home of Saint Elizabeth Arm Seton, lies in Frederick County's Emmitsburg. Her stone house served as the first home of the Daughters and Sisters of Charity, whereas the adjacent house is the seat of the nation's first parochial school.

From the colonies to the saints to the stars - it's all in Maryland. In Prince George's County, for example, there is something for the earthbound as well as for those with an interest in the celestial. In Greenbelt, the NASA/Goddard Visitor Center and Museum celebrates U.S. accomplishments in space and offers a glimpse into future space exploration. Demonstrations and model rocket launches captivate kids and adults alike.

Over in Oxon Hill is the Oxon Hill Farm, one of the finest familyfun places Maryland has to offer. It's an old-fashioned farm chockfull of farm animals. There are daily chore demonstrations and activities ranging from hayrides to watching the process of milk from the cow through pasteurization.

On Maryland's Eastern Shore is a collection of counties that go by the name of Chesapeake Country. From farmland to small, stately manors, all of Chesapeake Country is breathtakingly picturesque, a treasure trove of lush green state parks, roadside produce markets and Indian lore exhibits. Thousands of Ozini Indian artifacts, nautical relics and a replica of a vanished 18th-century town are found in Kent County's Rock Hall Museum in Rock Hall, while over in Talbot County there's marvelous Tilghman Island. Dotted with fishing villages, it's a sleepy place, but the food from the catches of the day is yet another good reason to spend a lazy day there fishing or just gazing off into the bay.