March 28, 2024

Jail Museum to Open During Town’s First Fridays

Jail Museum

The Old Jail Museum, a popular landmark in downtown Leonardtown, will be open during Leonardtown First Fridays, from 5 to 7 pm Friday, August 7, 2020.

Numerous safety precautions will be in place regarding social distancing and sanitization. All guests are required to wear face coverings while inside the museum. Only two visitors may enter the building at a time (or a family unit of no more than 4).

Visitors are encouraged to tour the unique historic site while enjoying the Leonardtown First Friday festivities that evening. Staff will be available to showcase the Old Jail and its interesting story.

A special exhibit regarding Benjamin Hance, a young African-American man who was held at the Old Jail in 1887 and later killed by a local mob, will be on display during this opening. Mr. Hance is the only documented lynching victim recorded in St. Mary’s County.

The Old Jail Museum is also looking for volunteers who would like to spend some time staffing and giving tours at the Old Jail for the upcoming year. The historic site will be expanding operating hours to better accommodate visitors, so new volunteers are needed to staff the location. Training will be provided.

The Old Jail Museum is at 41625 Court House Drive in Leonardtown, MD 20650, on the grounds of the courthouse in downtown Leonardtown, a short walk from the Square.

For more information about volunteering at the Old Jail, contact Karen Stone, manager of the St. Mary’s County Museum Division, at 301-769-3235 or [email protected].

For more about Lexington Park, visit the St. Mary’s County Community Development Corporation’s Leader member page.

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