The St. Michaels Museum at St. Mary’s Square celebrates the rich history of 19th century St. Michaels through informative guided walking tours and unique exhibits developed by museum staff. This year, the museum is also celebrating Frederick Douglass’s 200th anniversary. Located at 201 East Chestnut Street, the museum is open Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.

St. Michaels Museum is currently featuring a new exhibit, “Business in St. Michaels, Part Two, 1900s-1940s.” Research has confirmed once again that St. Michaels continued to have a healthy, diversified business community during these years with several new additions such as the Marada Movie Theater and a bowling alley.

Visit the museum to learn about the history of the town, including the War of 1812, the life of Frederick Douglass when he lived in the town as a slave, and the commercial development of this busy town.

The existing Frederick Douglass Exhibit has been expanded to feature additional photographs from the Civil War period when he met with Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. The exhibit now includes a photo of 19th and 20th century civil rights activist and anti-lynching journalist Ida B. Wells. Frederick Douglass, during the 1890s, supported Ida’s efforts to end lynching and protect African Americans’ civil rights during the harsh Jim Crow years. Other additional photographs illustrate buildings associated with Frederick’s early years in Talbot County.

In addition to the exhibits, explore St. Michaels with a docent-led walking tour of the town that begins at the museum at 10 a.m. on Saturdays through October 26. Cost is $10 adults and $5 for youths (6-17). Private tours can be arranged by calling the museum at 410-745-9561.

On the first and third Saturday of each month, the walking tour “Frederick Douglass, as a Slave, in St. Michaels 1833-36” will be conducted. This tour is given as a 90-minute walking tour. The tour gives a view of the early life of St. Michaels’ most famous 19th century resident and the most important African American Abolitionist in the Civil War. On the second and fourth Saturday of the month, the walking tour “Historic St. Michaels: Its People, Places and Happenings” takes place. This tour is given as a 90-minute walking tour as well, highlighting St. Michaels during the 19th Century. Stories will be told of the many restored structures from that era and describe life of famous and typical residents of these times.

The museum will host a Member and Volunteer Appreciation Party on Saturday, September 22 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. There will be refreshments and the Royal Oak Musicians will provide music. For more information, call 410-745-9561, visit www.stmichaelsmuseum.org or email info@stmichaelsmuseum.org.