LEONARDTOWN, MD — St. Mary’s County Government’s Museum Division and the Southern Maryland 250th Committee will host Rebels & Redcoats, a free family-friendly Revolutionary War event, on Saturday and Sunday, April 11-12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at Piney Point Lighthouse Museum & Historic Park and St. George Island.
The event commemorates the American War for Independence as it occurred in St. Mary’s County and across Southern Maryland. It takes place near the site of the Battle of St. George Island, the only Revolutionary War battle fought in Maryland, and forms part of statewide and national observances marking America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
Activities include exhibits and displays on local 18th-century history, musket and cannon fire demonstrations, food trucks, educational programming, children’s and family activities, reenactors, a period encampment, military demonstrations, live-fire drills and boat cruises. Visitors can explore soldier encampments, examine what Maryland Revolutionary War soldiers wore and carried, participate in militia rifle drills and enjoy period music and activities.
Event organizers include the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area, Visit St. Mary’s MD, Maryland Public Television and numerous local civic organizations. The program highlights Southern Maryland’s contributions to the nation’s founding.
Parking will be available off-site at Piney Point Elementary School, with free shuttles running to the venue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
A special ticketed Tavern Night on Saturday, April 11, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., offers an immersive 18th-century tavern experience. Guests will enjoy lively music by David & Ginger Hildebrand performing period glees and tavern songs, with songbooks provided for sing-alongs. Lord Dunmore will deliver in-character “1776 current events,” while participants engage in competitive toasting, colonial tavern games and a presentation on the history of beer and cocktails in British America. Food will be available for purchase from Ruddy Duck and Olde Towne Pub Wing Wagon, with beers, ciders and meads from an on-site brewer demonstrating 18th-century techniques. Tickets include the first drink and a limited-edition commemorative pin. Costumes are encouraged.
Karen Stone, Manager of the St. Mary’s County Museum Division, described the Tavern Night. “We wanted to celebrate this milestone the way our founders would have—with laughter, debate, and a bit of tavern-induced bravado,” Stone said. “It’s a chance to experience history you can truly see, hear, and taste.”
This marks the final year for the Rebels & Redcoats event in its current format. Tickets for Tavern Night are available at https://TavernNightSOMD250.eventbrite.com and are limited.
For general event information, contact Piney Point Lighthouse Museum at 301-994-1471 or visit its Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/1836Light.
The weekend program supports broader Southern Maryland Semiquincentennial celebrations. It is made possible by the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County, St. Mary’s County Museum Division, Southern Maryland National Heritage Area, Maryland Public Television, Visit St. Mary’s MD, the Southern Maryland Semi Quincentennial Committee and other area civic organizations.
In Southern Maryland communities from Leonardtown to Piney Point, the event provides an accessible way for families to engage with local history tied to the Battle of St. George Island and the region’s role in the Revolutionary War. Reenactors and demonstrations bring to life the experiences of Maryland militiamen and Continental soldiers who served during the conflict.
With America’s 250th anniversary approaching, such programs help residents connect current communities to the events of 1776. The free daytime activities welcome all ages, while the evening Tavern Night delivers a more adult-oriented, high-energy celebration of colonial social life.
Southern Maryland residents planning to attend should prepare for on-site shuttles and check weather forecasts, as outdoor activities form a central part of the program. The combination of living history, education and entertainment offers a practical way to learn about Maryland’s Revolutionary War heritage while supporting local preservation efforts at Piney Point Lighthouse Museum & Historic Park.
