Abundant area attractions not just for tourists

Friday, March 14, 2008

Click here to enlarge this photo File photo by GARY SMITH Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House and Museum will open at the end of April. Above, volunteer docents, Alice Simmons, left, and Donna Meier greet visitors at a Victorian Christmas re-enactment in December. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

History, archeology, the arts, hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, shopping, farms, tobacco barns, waterfront dining, scenic byways, historic markers, parks, children’s activities, special events and minor league baseball — it’s all here, or will be here soon, a short drive from where you live.

You can explore Charles County’s rich history at our public historical sites, such as the 19th-century Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House and Museum, which opens at the end of April, or the Thomas Stone National Historic Site, home of one of signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Visit Port Tobacco’s reconstructed courthouse and get the latest news on the archeological digs there, where evidence of European settlement goes back to 1634 at what was once Maryland’s second largest seaport. On his famous journey around the Chesapeake Bay in 1608, Captain John Smith mapped this section of Maryland, showing the Indian village of Potopaco, later called Port Tobacco.

Stop at historic St. Ignatius Church, the oldest Catholic church in continuous service in the nation, and enjoy the panoramic view of the Port Tobacco and Potomac rivers.

Trail brochures are available from the Charles County tourism office to help you explore Charles County and Southern Maryland. Follow the John Wilkes Booth Escape of an Assassin Civil War Trail, the Religious Freedom Scenic Byway, Southern Maryland Heritage driving tours and bicycle routes or the Southern Maryland trails and farm guides.

Kayakers and canoeists will enjoy the brand new Charles County Water Trail adventures guide, developed in conjunction with Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources and the National Park Service, to be launched this summer. The water trail guide’s highlights include Mallows Bay, site of one the largest sunken ship graveyards in North America with wrecks dating back to the American Revolution; Friendship Farm Park on Nanjemoy Creek; Smallwood State Park on Mattawoman Creek; and abundant opportunities for birding and wildlife viewing.

We have something new for sports fans, too.

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs toss out their first pitch at the new Regency Furniture Stadium on May 2. In addition to enjoying our new baseball team, you will be able to enjoy a variety of special family-friendly events sponsored by the Blue Crabs, Charles County government and our partners.

This year, Charles County celebrates its 350th birthday, and, in conjunction with sites and partners around the county and a hard-working group of committee volunteers, special events are planned to commemorate our history all year long. These activities include a lecture series at the College of Southern Maryland, themed weekends at the African-American Heritage Society, a charter signing re-enactment at Port Tobacco Courthouse, a band event at North Point High School, a ticketed Charter Day gala at Mount Victoria, River Artsfest in Indian Head, enhanced fireworks, parades, a Benedict oyster festival and more.

Activities are still being added to the schedule, and special product announcements are coming — a new historical DVD and a new book on Charles County history will be available for purchase soon. Check our Web site for news of the miniature carousel horse and music box project — a unique commemorative item. A new, more user-friendly tourism Web site is in the works, but in the meantime, you can get the latest information on 350th event activities by going to www.visitcharlescounty.com⁄350th.

Our tourism-related assets are important economic development tools for Charles County.

Maryland’s Office of Tourism Development reports that tourism generated more than $11.4 billion in expenditures from visitors across the state in 2006, and that Maryland households would pay an average of $420 more in state and local taxes each year without the tax revenues generated by the travel and tourism industry.

In Charles County alone, more than $9 million in local tax revenue was generated through tourism-related activities. Attracting visitors to our county and encouraging them to stay longer and enjoy Southern Maryland yields beneficial results.

But tourists shouldn’t get to have all the fun — Charles County’s tourism assets are for residents also. As we protect, enhance, package and market our tourism-related assets, we expand local business opportunities, as well as educational, cultural and recreational options for our citizens.

Check the Charles County tourism Web site when you’re looking for something to do this weekend.

Download and use our brochures and guides, or call the tourism office at 301-645-0558 and request a copy by mail.

Charles County and Southern Maryland have a lot to offer, and you don’t have to go very far to play in the nation’s backyard.

Donna Dudley is the chief of tourism for Charles County. She can be reached at 301-885-1340.