Historic Annapolis Museum

While I agree that the museum cannot compare to the Smithsonian Institute, I have to ask, who can? I like coming here mostly because of the shop and the interesting things that you can purchase with an Annapolis theme.

Annapolis is a really cool town, but you aren’t missing anything if you skip this museum. It’s very small, and none of the exhibits when we were there (summer 2013) were particularly interesting. Generally, the place feels somewhat amateurish, and not at all like visiting a larger city-​funded museum.
Depending on your perspective, you may also pick up a subtle tinge of racism during your visit. The central theme, based on the tour guide’s speech and the exhibits themselves, is that there were white slaves early in U.S. history. It was a bit strange; the guide was really trying to sell us hard on that, as if to justify black slavery somehow. Add to that the guide’s rant about how unfair Paula Deen’s* criticism in the media had been, we definitely felt uncomfortable.
This museum is free, but there is so much to do in Annapolis, I don’t see much point in coming here. If you want a great free museum, head about 40 minutes west into D.C. and check out the dozen or so Smithsonian museums. Or hey — head down a few streets to the Naval Academy.
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Endnote:
* Paula Deen is a famous television chef who lost her show because of alleged use of racial epithets in her personal life.