Here stands the first Methodist church in Port Deposit, constructed in 1821 of fieldstone and local granite. The building had 3 separate entrances – 1 for men, 1 for women and childred and 1 for African Americans - but all attended services together. Originally, the Paw Paw building was a one story structure with a high pulpit on one side, and the balcony used by African Americans could only be reached by an outside entrance. The Paw Paw is said to have been used for underground railroad activity. Historian Guyas Cutas wrote, “Many a run-away slave crouched in the balcony, as the word was preached from the pulpit.” The congregation grew and moved across the street to a new building (now known as Nesbitt Hall), but a second level was added to this structure so as to function as a school.
The Port Deposit Heritage Corporation operates from this facility, after having restored it between 1975 and 1991. They have digitized thousands of photos and documents and placed on the cloud. A popular event they orchestrate every 2 years is the Candle Light Tour on the first Saturday of December (in even years). The next one will be December 7, 2024.
There is parking available across the street and immediately next door.
Memberships are available for individuals at $25/person and offer discounts to merchandise and events. $45 group/family memberships and $300 lifetime memberships are also available.
The Paw Paw Museum is opened the 2nd and 4th Sunday from 1-5pm, May through October. If you would like to arrange a tour for a group or organization, please contact the museum volunteers at pawpawmuseum@gmail.com, or visit them at www.PortDepositHeritage.org.
The museum is free to the public but donations are always welcomed.
