LEONARDTOWN, MD – St. Mary’s County will receive formal recognition as the official birthplace of stuffed ham through a historic marker unveiling on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the St. Clement’s Island Museum.
The St. Mary’s County Museum Division secured a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation to install the marker under the foundation’s “Hungry for History” program. The marker credits the county with originating the dish in the early 1700s, based on oral tradition. Stuffed ham features a cured ham packed with kale, cabbage, onion, and spices including celery seed, mustard seed, crushed red pepper, and salt—a signature Southern Maryland preparation tied to local heritage.
A small dedication ceremony begins at 2 p.m. on the museum grounds. Immediately afterward, a reception at nearby Potomac Gardens will offer samples of stuffed ham from various local producers across St. Mary’s County, showcasing the dish’s regional variations and craftsmanship.
The event remains open to the public with no age restrictions, inviting residents and visitors to celebrate this culinary milestone. Museum Division Manager Karen Stone serves as the primary contact for details, reachable at karen.stone@stmaryscountymd.gov. Additional information appears on the St. Clement’s Island Museum Facebook page under Events.
Support comes from the St. Mary’s County Museum Division and the Friends of the St. Clement’s Island & Piney Point Museums, with special acknowledgment to the Pomeroy Foundation for funding the marker.
Stuffed ham holds deep cultural significance in Southern Maryland, particularly in St. Mary’s County, where it appears at family gatherings, holidays, fundraisers, and community events. The multi-day preparation process—curing the ham, chopping greens, stuffing, and slow-cooking—reflects generational knowledge passed down through families and local markets.
This designation preserves intangible heritage amid growing interest in regional foods. The Pomeroy Foundation’s “Hungry for History” initiative highlights food-related traditions nationwide through grants for interpretive markers, emphasizing their role in local identity and history.
St. Mary’s County, as Maryland’s first county and site of the state’s founding in 1634, frequently ties its identity to historical firsts and traditions. The marker at St. Clement’s Island Museum—located near the Potomac River and commemorating the 1634 landing—places stuffed ham alongside other markers of early settlement and cultural continuity.
Local producers continue the tradition through delis, markets, and caterers, maintaining recipes that adapt while preserving core elements. The event provides an opportunity to taste authentic versions and learn about its evolution from early 18th-century origins.
No prior statewide or national marker specifically designated the birthplace before this Pomeroy grant. The ceremony advances efforts to document and promote Southern Maryland’s unique foodways.