Revolutionary Maryland: Freedom of the Press Exhibit Opening

Protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, freedom of the press is crucial for the

functioning of a healthy American democracy. The press provides diverse perspectives on important

issues, empowering the public to make informed decisions. A free press supports the very foundation of

American democracy by ensuring an informed and engaged citizenry. Yet, the current rise in hate

speech, disinformation, and deadly attacks against journalists threatens freedom of the press on a global

level. Examination of the history and role of a free press today is more important than ever before as

our nation kicks off its commemoration of 250 years of American democracy in 2026.

The Revolutionary Maryland: Freedom of the Press Then and Now traveling exhibition explores the

evolution of one of our most important American freedoms from its earliest incarnation in the Maryland

Colony to its role in contemporary society. The opening of the exhibit in Annapolis is significant as the

capital city was the site of the violent Capital Gazette mass shooting in 2018. Over the course of 2026,

the exhibition will travel to eight locations across the state and will feature complementary humanities

programs and educational initiatives about this essential American freedom. Major funding for the

project was provided by the Maryland Two-Fifty Commission.

This exhibit is one element of a multi-pronged project designed to encourage all citizens to think

critically about the role of a free press to self-government in democracy. Concurrent with the traveling

exhibit will be the rehousing and conservation of 170 boxes of artifacts associated with Archaeology in

Annapolis excavations at the Jonas Green House in the mid-1980s. This work will be overseen by the

Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab, where the collection will ultimately be stored. The Jonas

Green artifacts have extraordinary research potential as excavations at this site produced the largest

collection of printer’s type ever recovered archaeologically in the United States.

The project’s culminating event will be a “Community Conversation” taking place in November in

Annapolis, Maryland. This free public event will feature a keynote speaker followed by a moderated

discussion about how citizens can reclaim the media arena as a place for the open exchange of opinion,

discussion, and deliberation. Time will be built into the program to allow for audience questions. In

addition to the moderated discussion, the event will offer a more robust version of the traveling exhibit

with additional information about the Jonas Green curation project, including the display of artifacts.