Dependence on tobacco shaped the social, economic, and physical development of the five Southern Maryland counties for more than 300 years, spanning from their founding until its demise by the end of the 20^th century.  The Southern Maryland Tobacco Barn Survey is a two-year project aimed at identifying and documenting the dwindling numbers of the region’s surviving pre-1870 air-cured tobacco barns.  The survey is a partnership between the University of Maryland and the Maryland Historical Trust, supported by an award to the university from the MHT Non-Capital Grant Fund.  Dr. Dennis Pogue and Chris Bryan, project staff working for the University, will share their findings and offer new insights into both the past and the future of these iconic features of the cultural landscape. This presentation is sponsored by the St. Mary's County Historic Preservation Commission.