District
Historic Centreville
Centreville’s historic core connects eighteenth-century houses with a broader story that includes African American education and community life.
Historic Centreville begins with the county-seat streets and preserved buildings of the town center. The town’s historic-district account records its National Register listing in 2004. Looking at a few buildings closely is more rewarding than treating the district as a backdrop for a drive through town.
Two houses, different histories
The Queen Anne’s County Historical Society maintains Wright’s Chance and Tucker House. Wright’s Chance dates to about 1744 and originated as a plantation house. Tucker House, built around 1794, reflects the early development of Centreville and has six fireplaces connected to one chimney. Ask the society about current tour arrangements before planning an interior visit.
Include the Kennard story
Elsewhere in Centreville, the Kennard African-American Cultural Heritage Center broadens the historical picture. The restored school and museum are managed by the Kennard Alumni Association. Exhibits address African American life in Queen Anne’s County and beyond, with particular attention to the years Kennard High School operated, 1936–1966. Check the center’s visit and event information separately; it is a distinct stop from the Commerce Street houses.
Putting these sites together makes room for several histories: the formation of a county town, the households represented by preserved architecture, and the educational and community institutions of the twentieth century. Leave time for the operators’ interpretation rather than assuming the exterior of a building tells its whole story.