News & Press

Historic Churches of Southern Maryland Poster Wins Award!

The “Historic Churches of Southern Maryland” poster won an award! The Printing and Graphics Association Mid-Atlantic’s Q Award for Print Quality was awarded to our wonderful printer Heritage Printing and Graphics of Leonardtown. Congratulations should also be extended to photographer Bill Conway and Rachel Reese, Exhibit Graphic Technician at the Calvert Marine Museum for their photographic and design contributions to the poster.

The award winning poster features 9 of the most historic churches in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s Counties, Maryland.  Each church was chosen after rigorous review by each County’s tourism and heritage preservation offices because it met and surpassed the following criteria:

·         The church must be at least 100 years old

·         Its architectural significance has been preserved

·         Listed on the Maryland Inventory of Historic Places and listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places

·         Quality and visual impact of the photograph

Special consideration was given to Charles and St. Mary’s Counties churches located on or very near the Religious Freedom National Scenic Byway which follows the Potomac River from Point Lookout to Indian Head.  This Scenic Byway presents the story of the first government in Colonial America to introduce the concepts of religious tolerance and separation of church and state to visitors and residents.  Travelers along the Byway have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural and cultural spaces that shaped the early story of a cherished American Right.  These concepts are now enshrined in the First Amendment to the U. S. Constitution guaranteeing everyone living in the United States the right to believe as they wish.

 This is the third award won by publications produced for the Southern Maryland Heritage Area Consortium.  Previous Q Awards were awarded for the SMHAC newsletter “Tide Keeper Times” and the “Historic Barns of Southern Maryland” poster.

The mission of the Southern Maryland Heritage Area Consortium (SMHAC) is to enhance the economic activity of Southern Maryland through combining quality heritage tourism and small business development with preservation, cultural and natural resource conservation and education.

Contact the Byway Manager at 301-274-1922, by email at jpitts@tccsmd.org, or visit Facebook, Flickr, Tumblr  or the website to learn more about this National Byway or to order a full-sized, frame-able 16” x 20” color poster.

"The Origins of Religious Freedom in Southern Maryland" lecture by Elmer Biles is one of a full day of activities planned for an Open House at Chapman State Park on August 5th.  (Event Flyer)

"Religious Freedom trail features Catholic sites" by Mary K. Tilghman.  (Catholic Review, May 17, 2012, p. A15)  To see the article, go to page A15 of the Catholic Review