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Historic Marker Signs
Historic Sites
& Attractions
Charles County has a rich
heritage of history.
Located just under one hour from Historic Annapolis, history buffs still
find Charles County's vicinity as convenient to the nation's capital
as did other "visitors" through many eras. The small town of Benedict
is the only spot in the United States where foreign troops have invaded
our shores. It is the site where British troops landed during the War
of 1812, marched to Washington, D.C., and burned the city. Two of the
wounded British soldiers died and were buried at Old Fields Chapel cemetery
in Hughesville.
During
the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth,
stopped at the home of a country doctor, Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, to have
his injured leg set before continuing his escape into Virginia. Had
it not been for this unexpected visitor to Charles County, Dr. Samuel
A. Mudd would have remained an anonymous figure in America's history.
Come
experience the Charles County of yesteryear. The sites provide a memorable
visit and showcase our rich history and heritage as well as our Southern
Maryland hospitality.
Indicates
preferred providers and members of the Charles County Visitors Bureau.
Dr.
Samuel A. Mudd House (1830) 1754
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LOCATION:
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Dr.
Samuel Mudd Road (off Route 5 South), Waldorf |
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PHONE:
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301-645-6870;
301-274-9358 |
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HOURS:
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April
to November:
Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday........ 11:00 am to 4:30 pm
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ENTRANCE
FEE:
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$5.00 Adults; $2.00 Children
(ages 6-16) |
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OTHER:
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Handicapped-accessible. Gift shop. Group tours available by advance reservation. |
 The
Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum was the home of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd,
the country doctor who set the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth. Booth
fractured his leg as he leaped from the presidential box at Ford’s
Theatre after shooting President Lincoln on Good Friday, April 14,
1865.
Booth
and David Herold arrived at Dr. Mudd’s home at 4 AM on April 15. Dr.
Mudd, not knowing the real identities of his visitors nor that President
Lincoln had been assassinated, examined Booth’s leg, had a splint made
for Booth, and had both him and Herold retire to an upstairs bedroom.
Booth and Herold left by 2 PM that same afternoon.
Dr.
Mudd was tried and convicted by a Military Court for setting Booth’s
leg and harboring him for a few hours. He was sent to Fort Jefferson
Prison, Florida for life. He was pardoned and released by President
Andrew Johnson on February 8, 1869 for his service of caring for the
sick during an outbreak of yellow fever at the island prison. Dr. Mudd
died January 10, 1883, at the age of 49.
Today,
the house is open to the public and tours are provided by costumed docents.
The house is a two-story, two-part early Victorian frame farmhouse.
The central structure was built around 1754. It is furnished with original
and family pieces from the time period.
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Civil
War Links
American
Indian Cultural Center /
Piscataway Indian Museum
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LOCATION:
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16812
Country Lane, Waldorf |
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PHONE:
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301-782-2224 |
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HOURS:
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Sunday....... 11 am to 4 pm
Other times.......By appointment
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ENTRANCE
FEE:
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$3
per person |
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OTHER:
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Gift
Shop, Handicapped Accessible |
 This
museum shows the life of the Native American before European contact.
Its focus is on Maryland’s indigenous people; it also includes information
about other areas. There is a full-scale replica of a long house, as
well as other items that represent life in the area–tools, weapons,
and the arts. The center educates visitors on the art and culture of
the Native American Indian and hosts an annual Pow-Wow.
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African-American
Heritage Society
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LOCATION:
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7485
Crain Highway, La Plata |
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PHONE:
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301-843-0371 |
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HOURS:
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April-October:
 Saturday & Sunday..........Noon-4:00 pm
Other times: .......................By appointment |
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ENTRANCE
FEE:
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Donation |
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OTHER:
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n/a |
The
museum contains various artifacts that were used during the time of slavery.
It depicts the life and history of African-Americans who lived in Charles
County and the contributions of African-American citizens of Southern
Maryland from 1658 to present.
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LaPlata
Train Station
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LOCATION:
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101 Kent Ave, LaPlata |
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PHONE:
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301-934-2564; 301-934-8305;
301-934-8836 |
EMAIL: |
KayeOKelley@yahoo.com |
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HOURS:
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April-October:
Saturday & Sunday...........................11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Other times:........................................By appointment
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ENTRANCE
FEE:
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FREE |
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OTHER:
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Handicapped-accessible. |
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Port Tobacco Courthouse
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LOCATION:
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Chapel
Point Road (off Route 6 West), Port Tobacco |
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PHONE:
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301-934-4313 |
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HOURS:
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April-October:
Saturday & Sunday............................ Noon to 4:00 pm |
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ENTRANCE
FEE:
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Adults: $2.00; Children: $1.00 |
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OTHER:
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Handicapped-accessible. Gift shop. Courthouse available for rental for weddings, parties and other special events. |
 Settled
in 1634, Port Tobacco was once Maryland’s second largest seaport and
was listed on early World Maps. This settlement was originally the site
of the Indian Village of Potopaco. Port Tobacco was the first county
seat, but after the river began silting up and after a shift of occupations
from tobacco farming to other trades and industry people moved to the
town of La Plata where the new railroad was being built. The county
seat was eventually moved to La Plata.
 The first Charles County Courthouse was completed in 1674. The Port Tobacco Courthouse was completed in 1729, and a second one in 1819. In 1892, the Courthouse burned. The present building is a reconstruction of the third structure. During tours, costumed docents tell the story of Port Tobacco, from 1620 to present day.
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Heritage
Driving Tours
Booth Escape Route
Charles County
Civil War
Travel Guide
Visitor's Guide
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Sunday..............................1:00 to 5:00 pm
