Welcome to our new website!

Welcome to Highland Beach

Highland Beach was incorporated in 1922, it became the first African American municipality in Maryland. It is also believed to be the first African American summer resort in the United States. Although founded as a summer resort, it is now a town of both summer and year-round residents who choose not to permit commercial establishments. There are approximately 80 homes, many of them still owned and occupied by descendants of the original settlers. The residents are proud and protective of their town's heritage, established by proud and successful people determined to overcome the prejudices of their post-Reconstruction times. Highland Beach is the home of Twin Oaks, which now serves as the Frederick Douglass Museum and Cultural Center, Inc.

Read Our Town History

Upcoming Events

July 2026
28 29 30 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31 1

Public Notices

Board of Appeals Hearing

BOARD OF APPEALS
REPOSTED-NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

July 15, 2026

In the Matter of: Permit No. HB 2026-2


Closures

Per Ordinance 2025-3, the beach is not open to the general public. The beach is restricted to residents and their guests.

The Frederick Douglass Museum and Cultural Center is currently closed for renovations and repairs.  You can visit the museum virtually via the FDMCC website.

Frederick Douglass Museum and Cultural Center

We are committed to promoting a greater understanding and appreciation of the life and work of Frederick Douglass and his family. In addition, the museum seeks to identify, document, and preserve the social and cultural histories of Highland Beach and Venice Beach, Maryland. Our dedicated all-volunteer teams of the board of directors and museum docents, strive to make these resources available for information and research.

Learn More