LA PLATA, Md. – On Feb. 4, 2025, the Board of Charles County Commissioners heard a presentation titled “A Black and Indigenous History of Bryans Road, Pomonkey, and Indian Head.” The report outlined key historical narratives and interpretive recommendations for Chapman State Park.
The project, managed by St. Mary’s College of Maryland in coordination with Charles County Planning and Growth Management and community partners, received funding from the general fund. The appropriation supports redevelopment efforts at Mount Aventine in Chapman State Park, with research expected to conclude by March 2025.
The report compiles research on Chapman State Park’s understudied and under-interpreted Black and Indigenous history and is intended for use by the Maryland Park Service, its volunteer organizations, and the broader community as part of the park’s development plans. These sites would become part of the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area.
Guiding points were created in themes for interpretive work, such as exhibits, educational materials, and community engagement efforts. They will help convey stories and experiences that enhance understanding of the history and cultural significance of the area.
Key Interpretive Themes
- Indigenous History Through Piscataway Eyes
- The Thomas Brown Story
- African American Tenancy
- The Potomac River Fisheries
- Black history of Western Charles County
Lucille Walker, representing the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area, emphasized the importance of the project.
“I can’t even say enough how this is foundational to the work that we want to do,” Walker said. “In order to be a National Heritage Area, we need to understand who we are and who we were. Sometimes, the quiet stories are the ones we need to hear the most.”
Short-Term Recommendations for Chapman State Park
- Using the report to develop exhibits and trail materials.
- Testing a model to locate an enslaved persons’ cemetery on the Chapman farm.
- Conducting cultural resource surveys.
- Addressing preservation concerns for historic structures, including a log barn and tenant houses.
Commissioner B.J. Bowling underscored the importance of integrating these findings into county planning efforts.
“As we move into discussions with the Planning Commission and our comprehensive plan, this needs to be at the forefront—not just in Pomonkey, but across the county,” Bowling said.
The report also calls for the creation of a cross-agency task force to increase awareness of the nationally significant history of Bryans Road, Pomonkey, and Indian Head. The task force would develop actionable plans focusing on education and community quality of life.
Presenters
- Dawud Abdur-Rahman, DAR Project Management Consulting
- Lucille Walker, Southern Maryland National Heritage Area
- Edward McMullen, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
- Jacob Wells, Maryland State Parks, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
See the entire presentation at this link.
To learn more about the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area, visit Destination Southern Maryland.
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