Maryland’s lighthouses illuminate history and culture
By Maryland Office of Tourism
June 25, 2024
“You really can’t tell Baltimore and Maryland’s story without the water,” says Chris Riehl, owner of Rent-A-Tour. And you can’t really call it a trip to Maryland without experiencing the state’s water.
Maryland is defined by its delicate intertwining with the Chesapeake Bay and a fascinating way to explore the Old Line State’s waterfront is via the state’s unique network of historical lighthouses. In the 19th century, Marylanders built lighthouses in the Chesapeake to alert sailors to the shoals. Today, 26 of those lighthouses have been restored and moved ashore to culture-rich bayside cities and towns.
Visitors can step back in time with guided tours of these lighthouses led by certified Chesapeake Bay storytellers. Storytelling is the best way to explore Maryland’s abundant history, according to Pete Lesher, chief historian at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.
Maryland also offers tours that highlight the local Black history intertwined with the state’s waterways. Vincent O. Leggett founded the Blacks of the Chesapeake Project in 1984 to help bring forward the voices of historic Black leaders.
“We’ve always used Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass as the bookends of Blacks of the Chesapeake,” Leggett said. “People know about the latter parts of their life, but they didn’t know that their beginnings were on the Chesapeake bay and both of these historic figures have saltwater running in their veins.”
In addition to learning Maryland history from certified storytellers, visitors should also experience the current day attractions of the state: crab restaurants, coffee houses, winery tasting rooms, breweries and distilleries. Riehl, a certified Chesapeake Bay storyteller himself, adds historic hotels and recreational water activities, like paddleboarding and kayaking, to the list of lighthouse town attractions.
These lighthouses that once served as warnings of the nearing shores of Maryland are now portals to the state’s history, culture and fun.
“Give yourself plenty of time,” Lesher says as he invites visitors to explore Maryland’s waterfront. “Take in all that we have to offer.”
Maryland. You’re Welcome.
