During the time when segregation was enforced by law, Black Americans were prohibited from visiting most beaches along the Atlantic coast. In response, Black Americans created their own spaces where they could enjoy recreation by the water — places like Elktonia, Sparrow’s and Carr’s beaches in Annapolis, Maryland.

As Maryland’s capital city grew, most of those beaches were developed into various residential and industrial projects. But one sliver of undisturbed land remained: Elktonia Beach’s five-acre waterfront parcel. The Conservation Fund was there when an opportunity came along to permanently conserve the property to help the region forever remember the land’s importance and heritage.

Our Role

TCF partnered with the City of Annapolis, the state of Maryland and Chesapeake Conservancy to protect the Elktonia property for its historic and cultural importance.

We worked with the owners of the property and the city to negotiate purchase of the site while Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley gathered $6.45 million from county, state and federal sources to complete the acquisition in August 2022. This collaboration was the first step in advancing the vision to preserve the site as a heritage park with public access to the Bay, with the city assuming long-term stewardship and maintenance.

Funding sources included Maryland’s Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program, the Maryland Stateside Open Space program, the city of Annapolis and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. Maryland Senator Ben Cardin secured $2 million in Congressionally Directed Spending specifically for the project.

Why It Matters

The cultural and historical importance of Elktonia Beach — along with the adjoining lands of Sparrow’s Beach and Carr’s Beach — cannot be overstated. Between the 1930s and 1960s, Black families from across the Mid-Atlantic region who were turned away for recreation elsewhere spent their days swimming, boating and picnicking and their nights dancing to the music of legends at these beaches. For nearly half a century, the beaches hosted celebrated performers such as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Chuck Berry.

With the property deeded to the city of Annapolis, local leaders and partners will work with the community to shape Elktonia into a new waterfront heritage community park. Blacks of the Chesapeake, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the Chesapeake Bay region’s Black culture, will help bring the park alive with educational and other activities celebrating Elktonia Beach’s history and heritage.

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