Communities, Recreation & Attractions
Annapolis is a proud city with proud people, though, make no mistake, they are extremely welcoming, as is and has been part of their past.
Once a bustling seaport with ships carrying trade from around the world, the city has since become America’s sailing capitol.
Taking a stroll along the city’s famous waterfront or taking a seat at City Dock, which has served as a hub of activity since the first settlers arrived here, one might still be able to imagine what Annapolis looked like hundreds of years ago. The city is proud of its sightseeing cruises and educational walking tours that take visitors through days gone by.
During its formative years, Annapolis was known for its bustling social scene and even today is renowned for its cuisine and historic accommodations.
Some of most well-known area attractions include the Annapolis Maritime Museum, the Maryland State Archives, St. John's College, the Annapolis Marine Art Gallery, Maryland Federation of Art Gallery, the Annapolis Chorale, Annapolis Opera, symphony orchestra, Ballet Theatre Maryland and the Bay Theatre Company.
As might be expected, the city also is the host to several boating and yacht clubs, some of which include the Annapolis Yacht Club, Eastport Yacht Club, Severn Sailing Association, the Naval Academy Sailing Squadron, the Annapolis Naval Sailing Association, the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association, the Annapolis Maryland Capital Yacht Club and the Sailing Club of the Chesapeake, to name a few.
The maritime community of Annapolis is far greater than the sailing industry, however. Fishing and recreational boating are popular on the Chesapeake Bay, and marine related trades comprise a major part of the city's robust economy and interests.
Each October the Annapolis City Dock and harbor plays host to the two largest in-the-water boat shows in the world including the United States Sailboat Show and the United States Powerboat Show.
The city's parks system is managed by the Annapolis Recreation and Parks Department. Park properties range from recreational facilities to more passive street ends and nature preserves.
The 70-acre Truxtun Park between Hilltop Lane and Spa Creek is Annapolis' largest park, comprising more than 50 percent of parkland within the city. Additionally, there’s the 500-acre Annapolis Waterworks Park, which is west of Annapolis.
Quiet Waters County Park, south of the city, contains 300 acres of open space and waterfront land accessible to Annapolis residents.
With more than 534 miles of coastline, there’s a great deal to do for the water lover including fishing, crabbing, water skiing, sailing and swimming. For nature lovers, there are two state parks, more than 70 county parks, several nature preserves and numerous greenways, including the 13-mile Baltimore and Annapolis Trail where walkers, runners, bicyclists and equestrians can play.
Birdwatchers can spot everything from geese and swans to heron, egrets and eagles.
Additionally, Ravens football and Orioles baseball home games are a short drive from the city in the Baltimore area.
A number of other recreational providers including the U.S. Naval Academy, private marinas and entities maintain recreational facilities that are not open to the general public.
African-American Influence
A significant part of Annapolis history and life in Annapolis today comes from the culture of the African-Americans who have shared in this community since its earliest days. Annapolis has a number of sites and structures that convey the African American experience, from the bondage of slavery, the turmoil of the Civil War, and the Civil Rights movement. They are found in monuments, historic homes, churches and museums.
During the 19th century, African-Americans comprised one-third of the population in Annapolis. Prior to the Civil War, Maryland had more free African-American citizens than any other state, approximately 43 percent.
Their legacy survives in written records and in cultural resources throughout the city's historic district and is revealed on maps, at archaeological sites, and in the surviving buildings.
Since 1992, the City of Annapolis Historic Preservation Commission and the Maryland Historical Trust have sponsored an intense survey of historic buildings within the district to document in full previously uninvestigated properties, determine the development and character of neighborhoods and identify African-American sites and geographic neighborhoods within the historic district. While the city and state recognize the many important African-American sites and neighborhoods throughout Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, the criteria for this survey limits it to standing structures within the historic district.
Initial results, while not yet comprehensive, show clusters of African-American residences integrated into several neighborhoods throughout the city before and after the Civil War.
At Duke of Gloucester and Market Streets near City Hall, several prominent black families acquired property, raised families and pursued professions. From this neighborhood, they contributed to the growth of their community and its culture.
As of the 2000 census, there were 35,838 people living in the city.
The median income for a household in the city was $49,243, and the median income for a family was $56,984.
Men had a median income of $39,548 versus $30,741 for women.