The Charles County Historic Preservation Commission will host the 9th Annual Preservation Reception and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Serenity Farm (6932 Serenity Farm Road, Benedict). The winner(s) of the Charles County Preservation Awards for 2022 will be announced.

The Farm Heritage Conservancy's first exhibit, Crossroads: Change in Rural America, will be available for viewing. This exhibit allows small towns to look at their paths and highlights the changes that affected their fortunes over the past century. This exhibit is part of the 'Museum on Main Street' collaboration with the Smithsonian Institutions and Maryland Humanities.

Concluding the ceremony, a tour of the enslaved African American burial ground will be available to the first 20 people who register.

The Historic Preservation Award is presented annually to an eligible individual, business, organization, or project that deserves recognition for outstanding achievements in historic preservation. Awards are presented in three categories: Preservation Service, Preservation Project, and Award of Merit.

Light refreshments will be provided at the event. A donation of $5 per person to Farm Heritage Conservancy is encouraged.

For more information or to RSVP for the event or the African American burial ground tour, contact Ms. Kathleen Seay at 301-645-0684 or seayk@CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.