This beach is located in the small historic town of the same name. Highland is the first black-owned summer resort community in the USA. The beach resort was was established because of an act of racial discrimination against its founders, Charles and Laura Douglass. The couple were denied entry to The Bay Ridge Resort on Chesapeake Bay because they were black. The town was incorporated in 1922, becoming Maryland's first African-American municipality.
The beach, located on Chesapeake Bay, has been described as "simple, but wonderful".
Photo: Beach goers, Highland Beach, Maryland, 1930, Image courtesy National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Read Angela Dennis' incredible profile of historically Black Beaches in the USA: https://medium.com/@AngelaDennisWrites/six-historically-black-beaches-to-visit-this-summer-46045aa3e348
You can read more here about systemic racism against black people at USA beaches here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/12/americas-segregated-shores-beaches-long-history-as-a-racial-battleground
Keep your distance from other people.
Practicing social distancing is essential right now. Follow the advice of the health experts. If your community has asked that you remain indoors and away from others, do so. Heading to the beach should only be considered an option if social distancing practices can be followed. Spending a day in any crowded place is the worst thing we can do for our most vulnerable right now and will counter the efforts to curb the virus’ spread.
For more information, please visit the World Health Organization public resource on COVID-19.
- Passed water quality tests at least 95% of the time
Historical Status
Keep your distance from other people.
Practicing social distancing is essential right now. Follow the advice of the health experts. If your community has asked that you remain indoors and away from others, do so. Heading to the beach should only be considered an option if social distancing practices can be followed. Spending a day in any crowded place is the worst thing we can do for our most vulnerable right now and will counter the efforts to curb the virus’ spread.
For more information, please visit the World Health Organization public resource on COVID-19.
- Passed water quality tests at least 95% of the time
- Historical Status
This beach is located in the small historic town of the same name. Highland is the first black-owned summer resort community in the USA. The beach resort was was established because of an act of racial discrimination against its founders, Charles and Laura Douglass. The couple were denied entry to The Bay Ridge Resort on Chesapeake Bay because they were black. The town was incorporated in 1922, becoming Maryland's first African-American municipality.
The beach, located on Chesapeake Bay, has been described as "simple, but wonderful".
Photo: Beach goers, Highland Beach, Maryland, 1930, Image courtesy National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Read Angela Dennis' incredible profile of historically Black Beaches in the USA: https://medium.com/@AngelaDennisWrites/six-historically-black-beaches-to-visit-this-summer-46045aa3e348
You can read more here about systemic racism against black people at USA beaches here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/12/americas-segregated-shores-beaches-long-history-as-a-racial-battleground
