Easton offers several distinct ways to enjoy a cultural getaway: art collections and programs, historic districts and architecture, and festivals. Activities on the waterways around Easton round out the options. To plan your trip, you can first consider whether art, architectural history, an event date or the water will shape your stay.
Art and Spaces at the Academy Art Museum
The Academy Art Museum offers exhibitions, classes, lectures, performances and educational programs for all ages. Its permanent collection includes more than 1,400 works. The museum is housed in a renovated school building dating from the 1820s. The 24,000-square-foot facility was created by combining two historic buildings.
The building includes five galleries, art and dance studios, conference rooms, a library and a light-filled atrium. Here, the art collection and programs meet an architectural history that is itself part of the cultural perspective on Easton. Art lovers will find not only exhibitions here, but also other formats such as classes and lectures.
Historic Districts and Architectural History
Easton’s historic areas comprise two districts with different boundaries. The Meeting House District lies around the Third Haven Meeting House. The Old Easton District encompasses essentially the original part of Easton and its immediate surroundings. This distinction helps place the area’s history in its geographic context.
Easton’s official founding is associated with an act of the Province of Maryland dated November 4, 1710. It authorized the construction of a courthouse at Armstrong’s Old Field near Pitt’s Bridge. The historic Avalon Theatre also tells the story of the town’s development: it was built in 1921 as a movie and vaudeville theater and restored in its original Art Deco style in the late 1980s. The restoration added modern sound and lighting technology as well as improved comfort.
The Historical Society of Talbot County is housed in a 19th-century building and presents an exhibition on the history of Talbot County in three galleries. If you plan to visit, check the current operating details in advance.
Festivals and Artistic Programs
Plein Air Easton is a juried outdoor painting competition held annually in Easton in July. The program includes a Quick Draw competition open to everyone, demonstrations, workshops, exhibitions and lectures. The event thus combines the competition with other artistic formats.
The Waterfowl Festival also takes place in Easton. It features exhibitions, workshops and music; Chesapeake Bay cuisine is also part of the visitor experience. The two festivals therefore offer different highlights. If you want an event to determine your travel dates, check the current schedule before planning.
Downtown and the Water
Maps for a self-guided walking tour of Easton’s historic downtown are available. You can include the walking tour as a separate activity in your plans. Easton is also located on the upper reaches of the Tred Avon River. Activities on the waterways around Easton include docking facilities, Chesapeake Bay charters and sightseeing cruises. Check the relevant providers and conditions before your trip.
Discover more destinations: St Michaels, Tilghman Island.
Return to the main travel overview: Talbot.
