Did you know that the Smithsonian Institution has an ecological research center in central Maryland, complete with trails, a place to launch canoes and kayaks, and an environmental archaeology museum? The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC), located just off Muddy Creek Road in Edgewater, is home to scientists from various disciplines who research issues affecting coastal zone environments around the world. SERC’s 2,650-acre campus includes 15 miles of protected shoreline, giving scientists access to a wide range of ecosystems to study.
SERC’s trails and floating dock are open for public use six days per week, all year long (holidays excepted). Entrance to SERC is free — just stop at the entrance booth to tell the gate guard why you’re there. The Woodlawn History Center, which showcases artifacts found on-site by SERC archaeologists and volunteers, is open on Fridays and Saturdays. Walkers and hikers of all ages can enjoy SERC’s trails, as they are relatively flat and well-maintained.
Outdoor Activities
If you enjoy hiking, biking, paddling a kayak or canoe, birdwatching, or photography, you’ll find plenty to do at SERC. SERC’s four miles of walking/hiking/biking trails meander through marshlands, woods, and shorelines, inviting visitors to get close to nature. Launch your own canoe or kayak at the floating dock to the left of SERC’s research dock (pay the $5 fee at the nearby Reed Education Center) and explore the Rhode River.
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The Maryland Ornithological Society’s Birder’s Guide to Maryland & DC reports that birdwatchers have spotted more than 225 species of birds at SERC. No matter when you visit SERC, you’ll find fascinating plants and animals to photograph, not to mention beautiful views of the Rhode River, Fox Creek, and the historic buildings on site.
The Reed Education Center has a cozy reading corner for children if you need to spend a few minutes indoors. There are books for adults, too. Take a look around the Reed Center while you’re there — you’ll find fish tanks and small exhibits related to SERC’s research projects.
Woodlawn History Center and the Java Ruin
SERC’s Woodlawn History Center opened in 2022. Housed in a plantation home built in 1735 and expanded in 1841 and again in the 1970s, Woodlawn History Center features exhibits on the home’s history and surrounding land as well as the history of the local area. Hands-on exhibits and artifacts help young visitors connect with the lives of the people, Indigenous, free, and enslaved, who lived and worked at Woodlawn and nearby Java. SERC’s Environmental Archaeology Lab volunteers excavated and cataloged many of the artifacts on display.
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Southeast of the Woodlawn History Center, you’ll see a large brick ruin, all that’s left of U.S. Marine Corps First Lieutenant John Contee’s Java Plantation home. Contee bought Squirrel Neck Plantation after serving in the War of 1812 onboard USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”), renaming it Java after one of the famous naval battles he fought in.
Lightning struck the mansion in 1890, igniting a fire. The fire-damaged bricks were used to rebuild the home, destabilizing it and eventually resulting in the ruin you see today. Metal support rods outline the dimensions of the central part of the house; the original structure had two hyphens connecting the main house with a wing on each side. One hyphen is still visible. Two of SERC’s trails begin near the Java Ruin.
Participatory Science Program
If you’re interested in getting involved with a science research project, SERC is the place for you. SERC’s Participatory Science Program recruits volunteers to help with short- and long-term projects. Volunteers with access to a boat or a 100-foot dock can assist the Chesapeake Water Watch team by taking photographs and collecting water samples. Otter lovers can share information about river otter sightings with the Chesapeake Bay Otter Alliance. Aspiring archaeologists aged 16 and older are welcome to participate in SERC’s Environmental Archaeology project.
Special Events at SERC
SERC’s family-friendly special events include the annual Maryland Day celebration, Environmental Archaeology Dig Days (ages 10 and up; special permission is needed for younger children to participate), summer Rhode River canoe trips (ages 8 and up), and summer drop-in nature talks. Check SERC’s calendar of events for more information.
Tips for Visitors
Naming conventions for the trails and the Java Ruin have changed over time, so signs and maps do not always match. The Java Ruin is also known as the Contee Mansion Ruins. The Woodlawn History Center was formerly known as Sellman House. The Java History Trail is called the Fox Creek Nature Trail on the campus map. The new history-themed trail behind the Woodlawn History Center is not on the current SERC campus map.
If You Go
As of this writing, SERC is open to the public, free of charge, Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Woodlawn History Center is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. SERC is closed on Sundays and federal holidays. Check the website for the latest information on hours of operation, volunteer opportunities, and special events.
By Nancy Parode