Unit Study Supplement: Maryland Facts, U.S. 7th State

Did you know that Maryland is called “Little America”? Maryland is a relatively small state, however, there’s so much history and so much to do in this state that it’s been labeled “America in Miniature”.

What is Maryland famous for? Aside from the role Maryland played in our history, Maryland is famous for its seafood, particularly its blue crabs and soft clams.

In this article you’ll learn interesting facts about Maryland, including  Maryland’s history timeline, geography facts and more. Time4Learning members can download our list of PreK-12 interactive activities that align with your study of Maryland.

Maryland Fast Facts

Became a Colony:	1632
Became a State:	April 28, 1788
Order it Joined the Union:	7th state
State Capital:	Annapolis
State Abbreviation:	MD
Border States:	Pennsylvania Delaware Virginia West Virginia Washington DC
State Flag:
State Song:	Maryland, My Maryland
State Flower:	Black-Eyed Susan
State Nickname:	Old Line State, Little America/America in Miniature, Free State
Notable Marylanders:	Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross Tom Clancy, author James Brown, musician David Hasselhoff, actor Michael Phelps, swimmer Thurgood Marshall, Supreme Court Justice Frederick Douglas, abolitionist Harriet Tubman, champion of the Underground Railroad

Historical Facts About Maryland

Originally populated by Native American tribes such as the Lenape, Nanticoke, Powhatan, Susquehannock, and Shawnee tribes, archaeologists believe Maryland was inhabited as far back as 21,000 years ago.

Think you know everything about Maryland? Named after King Charles I’s wife, Queen Henrietta Maria, this mid-Atlantic state is one of the 13 original colonies. It is home to the first railroad, first post office, first dental school, first printing business, the first successful manned balloon launch, and the first umbrella factory.

From 1783 to 1784, the nation’s capital was Annapolis, Maryland. This small state led the way to true religious freedom through the Maryland Toleration Act, which was voted into law in 1649 and allowed freedom of worship to Christians. It was then repeated in 1692, extending the same freedom to other religions.

Read the Maryland history timeline below to learn about important events that occurred in this state and helped shape the entire nation’s history.

Bring history and geography to life with Time4Learning’s interactive online social studies curriculum for grades 2-12.

Maryland Geography Facts

Now that you’ve learned some of Maryland’s history facts, let’s explore Maryland’s geography. First, check out this map of Maryland to start getting familiar with the state. Then read through the Maryland geography facts listed below. Lastly, print out the map of Maryland provided below so you can mark up the areas you just learned about.

• Maryland is bordered by Pennsylvania in the north, Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Virginia in the south and West Virginia in the west.
• Annapolis, the state’s capital, is located practically in the middle of the state, halfway down the Western shoreline of Chesapeake Bay.
• The Appalachian Plateau extends through the northwestern corner of the state and is home to Maryland’s highest point, Backbone Mountain (3,360 feet above sea level).
• The Chesapeake Bay is the largest body of water, it cuts through the state and divides Eastern and Western Maryland.
• The Potomac river is the most significant river of the state as it forms the entire southern border and flows into the Chesapeake Bay.
• The Chesapeake & Delaware Canal runs for 14 miles and connects the Delaware River with the Chesapeake Bay. This commercial waterway carries 40% of all ship traffic in and out of the Port of Baltimore.
• The largest waterfall, Muddy Creek Falls (63 feet) located inside Swallow Falls State Park, is in Maryland’s panhandle, approximately 6 miles east of the border with West Virginia.
• Nearly 43% (2.7 million acres) of the state’s land is covered in forests.
• Maryland’s shorelines expands about 7,719 miles.
• Maryland’s lowest point is called Bloody Point Hole (174 feet below sea level). It’s located on Kent Island, right in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay and about 15 miles southeast of Annapolis.

Activities for Children in Maryland

Is there a better way to learn more interesting facts about Maryland? As the name suggests, Little America has tons of day trip opportunities for homeschoolers in Maryland. The list below will help you put together some fun trips to enhance your child’s learning experience.

• Calvert Marine Museum (Solomons) – This museum boasts tons of activities where students can learn about the state’s maritime heritage and natural environment. It hosts two homeschool days per year, special needs night, night at the museum and other events.
• Fort Henry National Monument and Historic Shrine (Baltimore) – See the birthplace of the US national anthem and participate in one or more ranger programs.  War of 1812 curriculum materials are available on the website.
• Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum (Snow Hill) – Explore a living 19th-century village and see the Nassawango Iron Furnace that kept the town going from 1830-1850.  Visit with printers, weavers, and blacksmiths, or participate in an archaeological dig for additional cost.
• Maryland Science Center (Baltimore) – Explore a digital Planetarium, hands-on exhibits, live science encounters, and IMAX films.  The science center offers a schedule of homeschool enrichment programs.
• National Aquarium (Baltimore) – See over 20,000 animals, spanning more than 750 species of marine life.  The aquarium holds “Homeschool Days,” which begin with an auditorium program focusing on Chesapeake Bay and are followed by self-guided tours of the aquarium.
• Thrasher Carriage Museum (Frostburg) – See 19th and 20th-century carriages, including President Roosevelt’s inaugural carriage.  This museum is part of the Allegany Museum system.

Looking for more things to do with your kids in Maryland? Check out this post full of field trip ideas in Maryland!

Maryland Freebies and Deals for Homeschoolers

• Anita C. Leight Estuary Center (Abingdon) – Explore Chesapeake Bay’s ecosystem through exhibits, a turtle pond, and hiking trails.  Enjoy sunset canoe trips, blooming marsh kayak trips, Critter Cruise pontoon boat rides, and other family-friendly activities and programs.  The Center offers homeschool complimentary educational classes for ages 5 to 17.
• Antietam National Battlefield (Sharpsburg) – Watch an introductory film and take the self-guided tour through the battlefield.  Listen to a ranger’s battlefield talk and explore the museum’s exhibits and Civil War artifacts. While there is a minimal fee, you can submit a fee waiver if the visit is intended for academic use!
• Assateague Island National Seashore (Berlin) – Walk along the beach alongside the famous Chincoteague ponies, who came to the island more than 400 years ago.  Camp, ride horses, or participate in ranger programs. Watch for scheduled fee-free days!
• Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay (Nanjemoy) – Take a kayak among 200 wrecked World War 1 wooden steamships. View the many species of birds, mammals, and fish now living in the ecosystem. This boat launch is free to all visitors, so take advantage!
• The Walters Art Museum and Baltimore Museum of Art (Baltimore) – See Egyptian art and artifacts, as well as the works of Picasso, Degas, and Matisse.  The Walters museum offers scheduled family programming. The Baltimore Museum offers family activity guides, a family audio tour, and free art-making workshops on Sundays.  Both museums have free admission.
• William Brish Planetarium (Hagerstown) – Open on the first and fourth Tuesday evenings of the month, the planetarium offers scheduled programming that includes a tour of the current night sky.  The cost is $3 for adults and $2 for children, with a $10 family maximum special (tickets sold at the door).

Maryland Learning Games for Children

Test your Maryland facts knowledge with these free games and activities: