The history and development of Marcey House spans a period of more than 20 years.
Characterized by periods of progress interspersed with many setbacks.
When a group of concerned community members recognized an extreme need to treat the growing number of individuals in our county who were experiencing substance abuse problems.

The development of the facility became a goal for the St. Mary's Mental Health, Drug & Alcoholism Advisory Council (MHDAAC).

Request for State funding resulted in direction to establish a committee, to develop plans, and to obtain land and; The Marcey House Board of Directors was born and at the request of Sally Raley, the Board of County Commissioners became actively involved in the support of a halfway house.

Buildings were located to house the facility, but turned out too expensive. The board looked at parcels of county owned land that were not suitable. (At one appropriate building site, a number of holes were dug with a backhoe & someone came & asked why were holes being dug on his property! He had just bought the property from the county.  The group refilled the holes, and escaped without prosecution and continued the search.) There was much community opposition the (Wing of Nursing Ctr; Behind Regional Library) All Rejected.

An agreement for use of the St. Mary's Hospital property was reached State funding was made available and   Marcey House Board became a County Board.
Many people made significant contributions Berlin Cuming, Sally Raley, Sybil Bassnight, Bob & Dorothy Guest, Jim Williams, Dick Martin, Jack Maddox, Jon Norris, Mike Marley, and members of the Southern Maryland Delegation Senator Bernie Fowler and Jim Simpson and Delegates John Slade, John Wood were all involved to assure that Marcey House would become a reality.


Marcey House (Francis Marcey)

Marcey House is named in memory of Francis Marcey who was instrumental in establishing professional capabilities for substance abuse treatment at Pax. River Naval Air Station as well as introducing the self help felllowship to families of St. Mary's county to further their recovery process.