St. Mary’s County gears up for a major family-friendly commemoration of the American Revolution with the free “Rebels & Redcoats” event set for April 11-12, 2026, at Piney Point Lighthouse Museum and nearby St. George Island, spotlighting the only Revolutionary War battle fought on Maryland soil.
The two-day program, running 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, marks an official Maryland 250 and America 250 celebration tied to the nation’s semiquincentennial. Organizers position it as a hands-on way to explore how the War for Independence unfolded in St. Mary’s County, focusing on the Battle of St. George’s Island in July 1776.
That engagement, the largest Revolutionary War action in Maryland, saw local militia repel British forces under Virginia’s royal governor Lord Dunmore, who sought to land on the island near the Potomac River’s mouth. Maryland troops, including regulars and militiamen, clashed with British regulars, Loyalist forces, and naval support from over 70 vessels in a series of skirmishes through July and August 1776. The defense prevented a foothold and highlighted early resistance in Southern Maryland.
The event unfolds at Piney Point Lighthouse Museum Historic Park (44720 Lighthouse Road, Piney Point) and extends to St. George Island, close to the historic battle site. Attendees can expect period encampments, military demonstrations, reenactments by living history groups such as Ship’s Company (focused on U.S. naval heritage), educational programming, exhibits from partnering organizations on 18th-century local history, kids’ and family activities, food trucks, and interactive displays.
Due to limited on-site parking, free off-site parking is available at Piney Point Elementary School, with complimentary shuttles running continuously from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to transport visitors to the museum and island locations.
The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County, St. Mary’s County Museum Division, Southern Maryland National Heritage Area, Visit St. Mary’s MD, Maryland Public Television, Southern Maryland Semiquincentennial Committee, and other civic partners make the event possible. It aligns with broader Maryland 250 efforts to engage communities in Revolutionary War history through 2026.
Recent promotions include media appearances, such as a segment on ABC7/WJLA highlighting the event’s battle reenactments and cannon fire demonstrations. No admission fee applies, making it accessible for families across Southern Maryland.
The Battle of St. George’s Island remains a key but often underrecognized piece of Maryland’s Revolutionary legacy, involving efforts to recruit enslaved people with promises of freedom and significant casualties on both sides in prolonged operations. This event brings that history to life at the lighthouse—a preserved 1836 structure—and the island’s shores.
As Southern Maryland’s contribution to national 250th anniversary programming, “Rebels & Redcoats” builds on regional heritage sites like the Calvert Marine Museum and St. Clement’s Island, fostering education on independence-era events that shaped the area.