In partnership with the American Anthropological Association (AAA), the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office has selected St. Mary’s County Library to host World on the Move: 250,000 Years of Human Migration, a national exhibition that aims to help people appreciate migration histories — their own and those of others — by drawing on a wealth of case studies from across human history and the breadth of cultures.

The exhibit, developed by the American Anthropological Association and the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, will be displayed at Lexington Park Library through August 22, 2025.

World on the Move Events

Exhibit Tours

Learn about migration histories of cultures around the world. The tour at Lexington Park Library includes an overview of the World on the Move exhibit, themed programs, and more! Register to receive a reminder email, walk-ins welcome!

Migration Journeys is a thought-provoking series that will offer valuable insights into the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of people who have traversed our state and nation, continents and oceans. Through the insights of expert speakers from the St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s Department of Anthropology, we explore human movement and its role in shaping history, culture, and society and the factors that influenced these migrations. All events will take place at Lexington Park Library.

History of Ellis Island – The Island of Hope and Tears

Saturday, July 26, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. at Lexington Park Library
Register for History of Ellis Island
Join us for a history talk and Q&A with Historian Paul Rose on the topic of Ellis Island. Ellis Island, located in the New York Harbor, was once the busiest immigrant inspection and processing station in the United States. Paul Rose is a researcher at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum but is not acting a representative of the institution in this presentation.

From Southern Maryland to Kentucky: A Stuffed Ham Journey

Tuesdays, July 29 & August 26, 6 – 7:30 p.m. at Lexington Park Library
Register for July 29 From Southern Maryland to Kentucky
Register for August 26 From Southern Maryland to Kentucky
Our speakers will explore the local tradition of stuffed ham and the migration of families from Southern Maryland to Kentucky. This event celebrates the culinary heritage and the bonds between communities brought together by the journey of families who carried their traditions across regions. Enjoy samples of stuffed ham from local restaurants and delve into the stories, recipes, and genealogical connections that have been passed down through generations.

The Navy Moves to St. Mary’s County: A History of the Patuxent River Naval Air Station

Monday, August 4, 6 – 7:30 p.m. at Lexington Park Library
Register for The Navy Moves to St. Mary’s County
Join us for a history of Patuxent River Naval Air Station! Chris Bryan, NAS Patuxent River Cultural Resource Program Manager, will discuss the history of Pax River and the influx of Navy personnel that came to St. Mary’s County in the early 1940s to support military aircraft research and development during World War II.

Maryland’s First European Immigrants: The Arrival of the First Permanent English Settlers

Wednesday, August 13, 6 – 7:30 p.m. at Lexington Park Library
Register for Maryland’s First European Immigrants
St. Mary’s County Museum Director Karen Stone will present the story of Maryland’s first wave of immigrants – the English who came to stay in 1634. Learn more about their reasons for leaving England, Lord Baltimore’s earlier experiments, and their relationship with their neighboring colonies and the area’s original inhabitants. The story continues with future migrations of the English as they went west, hoping yet again to build a better future.

Migration of the Piscataway

Sunday, August 17, 2 – 4 p.m. at Lexington Park Library
Register for Migration of the Piscataway
Learn from Mario Harley of the Piscataway Conoy Tribe about migrations away from their historical homelands throughout the Colonial period and beyond.

“Exodus and Exile”: A History of Modern Mass Migration

Monday, August 18, 6 – 7 p.m. at Lexington Park Library
Register for Exodus and Exile
Join us for a history talk and Q&A with Historian Paul Rose on the topic of mass migration in the modern world. Paul Rose is a researcher at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum but is not acting a representative of the institution in this presentation.

Staying, Leaving, & Adapting: Life Along Changing Coastlines

Thursday, August 21, 6 – 7 p.m. at Lexington Park Library
Register for Staying, Leaving, & Adapting
Did you know that nearly 40% of the world’s population lives within 100 kilometers of a coastline? Coastal communities are facing growing challenges due to changing shorelines, stronger storms, land loss, and shifting ecosystems. These changes affect homes, livelihoods, local traditions, and long-term planning for the future. In this talk, we’ll explore how people in different parts of the world—from the Chesapeake to the Pacific Islands—are responding to these challenges. We’ll look at the difficult choices communities face around rebuilding, relocating, and preserving what matters most.

World on the Move: 250,00 Years of Human Migration was developed by the American Anthropological Association, together with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and Smithsonian Exhibits. It is administered by the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office.