St. Mary’s County Government’s Museum Division, in collaboration with the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions (UCAC), continues to provide free public access to the Drayden African American Schoolhouse in Drayden through scheduled open houses. These events occur on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., running April through October 2026, with dates including April 4 and 18; May 2 and 16; June 6, 19, 20, and 21; July 4 and 18; August 1 and 15; September 5 and 19; and October 3 and 17.
The Drayden site preserves one of the nation’s best-preserved one-room African American schoolhouses, offering direct insight into segregated education in St. Mary’s County up to the mid-20th century. UCAC volunteers staff the open houses, sharing authentic stories of the students and teachers who used the facility, enriching visitor understanding of this key piece of Southern Maryland’s African American heritage.
Karen Stone, Manager of the St. Mary’s County Museum Division, stated: “The Division is pleased to offer open houses at the Drayden African American Schoolhouse each month so guests can learn more about this important piece of our county’s African American educational history. We further appreciate the continuing support of the volunteers who staff it for us, most of whom are members of the UCAC.”
Admission remains free, with donations accepted, and all ages are encouraged to attend. For group tours, school visits, or bus programs outside regular hours, contact the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum at (301) 994-1471 to arrange. Individual off-schedule visits follow the same process. Updates and additional program details appear on the Drayden African American Schoolhouse Facebook page at Facebook.com/DraydenSchool.
In a parallel county initiative enhancing local recreation, Wicomico Shores Golf Course in Leonardtown rolled out a refreshed website and integrated online tee time booking via GolfNow. Golfers access the system at www.wicomicoshoresgolf.com to view and reserve tee times on mobile or desktop, simplifying planning for rounds at the 18-hole public course.
The site upgrade includes an events calendar for tournaments and specials, golf lesson information, and the full menu for The Riverview Restaurant, allowing users to coordinate dining with their golf experience.
Patrick Dugan, Wicomico Shores Golf Course Manager, noted: “We’re excited to introduce this new tool to enhance the experience for our golfers. Our goal is to make it simple and convenient for visitors to book a round, stay updated on events and learn more about everything Wicomico Shores has to offer.”
Pro shop inquiries or same-day bookings go through (301) 884-4601. These announcements reflect St. Mary’s County’s dual focus on cultural preservation and community amenities in Southern Maryland, inviting residents and visitors to engage with historical education at Drayden while enjoying improved access to golf and dining at Wicomico Shores.
The Drayden open houses build on seasonal patterns, resuming in spring after winter closures, and align with broader efforts to highlight African American history in the region. Meanwhile, the golf course’s digital enhancements support year-round play and events at this Mechanicsville-area facility along the Wicomico River.