Annapolis, MD, is a city rich in history and culture, which is evident in the many museums that are located here. If you’re looking for an exciting and unique educational experience, be sure to check out the four best museums nearby!
Banneker-Douglass Museum
The Banneker-Douglass Museum is dedicated to preserving and interpreting African American culture and history. Located on Franklin St, the museum is named after two prominent African Americans: Benjamin Banneker and Frederick Douglass. It’s a great place to learn more about the contributions of African Americans to both Maryland and the United States as a whole.
Banneker was a self-educated mathematician and astronomer, and Douglass was an abolitionist and orator. Both played a significant role in shaping American history. The museum exhibit, Deep Roots Rising Waters, is a must-see overview of African American history from 1633 to the present. This remarkable exhibit highlights how Maryland impacted our nation’s history, including Banneker’s anti-slavery protest and Thurgood Marshall’s work in education.
United States Naval Academy Museum
The United States Naval Academy Museum is located on the U.S. Naval Academy campus and is one of the most popular museums in the city. The museum tells the story of the United States Navy, from its humble beginnings to its present-day status as a world-class military force. The museum houses thousands of items, including paintings, photographs, weapons, and uniforms.
One of the most popular exhibits is a display of seventeenth and eighteenth-century model ships. With more than seventy models, it’s the largest public collection in North America, providing a chronology of warship design. Another exhibit of interactive maps details the tactics of several U.S. naval battles.
Annapolis Maritime Museum
The Annapolis Maritime Museum is a waterfront museum that tells Annapolis’s story of maritime history. Overlooking the Chesapeake Bay, the museum has numerous educational programs, an art gallery, and two 500 gallon aquariums. The museum also has an extensive collection of maritime artifacts, maps, photographs, and documents. The museum’s research library contains over 1,500 books about local maritime ecology and history.
Annapolis Maritime Museum includes several interactive and virtual exhibits, including a digital game and a life-size hologram of a waterman. You can even board a boat and experience the Chesapeake Bay in a virtual reality environment.
Historic London Town and Gardens
Historic London Town and Gardens is a living history museum located in Annapolis. The museum tells the story of the American Revolution and the development of the United States. The museum is housed on an 18th-century tobacco plantation and features costumed interpreters, period rooms, and gardens.
The museum contains a colonial village centered around the William Brown House, a historic landmark. The grounds also include reconstructed colonial buildings, sensory and sound gardens, and trails.
If you’re looking for an excellent day trip, visit these great museums in our backyard. While you’re out exploring, stop by Koons Annapolis Toyota. We’re located just minutes away from all the great museums in town and offer a wide selection of new Toyotas and used cars to fit your budget!
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