Hollywood in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Sotterley's Remaining Slave Cabin
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 6, 2013
1. Sotterley's Remaining Slave Cabin Marker
In the 18th century, enslaved African Americans were housed in outlying barns and buildings of the plantation, as well as in the passageways of the manor house. By the 19th century, approximately ten slave cabins were constructed between the ravine and the agricultural fields within partial view of the house.
This cabin would have housed an estimated two dozen slaves. The Plantation owner provided little by way of furnishings, so slaves made clothing, furniture and bedding themselves.
Archaeological excavations at this site uncovered a hidden root cellar, and hundreds of artifacts including buttons tools and pottery.
This cabin was built like typical agricultural buildings constructed between the 1930s and 1850s, but these builders hewed the earthfast posts, flat on one side to prevent the 4 ˝" to 5" thick plank walls from buckling. They drove pegs down through holes drilled vertically into planks to keep them stacked. Chinking (clay & mortar) was added between the planking to protect against weather and bugs.
The windows you see were not original to the cabin and were added after the Civil War. The only light
this page online
Erected by Chesapeake Gateways Network.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: African Americans.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 22.553′ N, 76° 32.471′ W. Marker was in Hollywood, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. It could be reached from the intersection of Sotterley Lane and Vista Road. The marker is on Sotterley Plantation along the rolling road, south of the main house. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood MD 20636, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in Southern Maryland. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, in the Chesapeake Bay Region, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America,
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 6, 2013
2. Sotterley's Remaining Slave Cabin Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Sotterley's Slave Cabin (here, next to this marker); War Hits Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Food and Culinary Traditions at Sotterley (within shouting distance of this marker); Middle Passage Site, Sotterley (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Slavery at Sotterley (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Slavery at Sotterley (about 300 feet away); Remembering Ancestors at the Sotterley Plantation (about 300 feet away); You are entering Historic Sotterley's Sacred Space / The Sankofa Bird (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hollywood.
Also see . . . Archaeological Investigations at the Sotterley Plantation Slave Cabin St. Mary's County, Maryland,. January 1996, Report Prepared By: Jessica L. Neuwirth (Submitted on January 14, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 6, 2013
3. Sotterley's Remaining Slave Cabin
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 6, 2013
4. Interior of the Slave Cabin
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 6, 2013
5. The main house at Sotterley
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 6, 2013
6. Front gate sign at Sotterley Plantation
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,199 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 13, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
