The Municipal Village of Port Tobacco is pleased to announce that it has undertaken the rescue, restoration, and preservation of several historic structures with the goal of establishing an agriculturally themed museum site. This will include an iconic 20^th century Maryland Tobacco Barn and an 18^th century Corn Crib. The Village is now in the process of applying for grants to help further these efforts and invites your support.

Background:

In 2020, the opportunity arose for the Municipal Village of Port Tobacco to salvage several historic structures and resulted in the acquisition of the Compton tobacco barn and property, located on Chapel Point Rd. on the north side of the village, (bound by Causeway Rd. and Rt. 6), adjacent to Port Tobacco’s One-room Schoolhouse.

Phase #1 of the barn restoration is now complete, the building stabilized and the damaged siding replaced. Phase #2 will address the remaining exterior and interior renovations. Phase #3 will furnish the tobacco barn with exhibits, artifacts, and interpretive displays, reflecting Maryland’s long history with this once vital cash crop. 

Additionally, an 18^th c. corn crib will soon be relocated to the barn site and restored, preserving another slice of Maryland’s architectural and agricultural legacy.

Vision for an Agricultural Heritage-Themed Museum Site:

The museum project will compliment and add to the historic district’s ongoing educational programs, cultural activities, special events and guided tours sponsored by the Charles County Office of Tourism, the Society for the Restoration of Port Tobacco and the Charles County Retired Teachers Association which oversees Port Tobacco’s award-winning 19^th  One-room Schoolhouse.

The museum will also develop added interest to the north side of town where the official boundary of the Municipal Village of Port Tobacco begins (just behind Murphy’s Store at the stone marker, extending to a point just beyond Burch House).

When complete, the museum will offer interpretive displays, videos, demonstrations, authentic hanging tobacco, a covered wagon, and additional historic artifacts. The museum will be available to teachers who wish to include a visit for the school children in their programs, and it will be open for special events held in the village such as Market Day, the Holiday Trails, etc. and various other occasions.

This enhancement of heritage tourism in the Village is not only of benefit educationally and culturally, but also economically, particularly to surrounding localities such as the towns of La Plata and Indian Head and the Thomas Stone National Historic Site.

Letters of Support: The Village is currently submitting grant applications to the Southern Maryland Heritage Area Seed Grant Program to help fund these efforts and invites your support in the form of a Letter of Support.

Two applications will be submitted, one for the Tobacco Barn restoration, and a separate one for the Corn Crib transport and installation. Your letters of support are greatly appreciated and will be needed to be received by September 25^th. They may be sent either by regular mail or by email to the following:

            Village of Port Tobacco

P.O. Box 334

Port Tobacco, MD 20677

Email:  anitacarolgordon@aol.com

We are excited about the benefits of the Tobacco Barn and Corn Crib restoration projects and the creation of an agricultural heritage-themed museum for the historic village.