• Richard Moe,, Chair
  
• Lawrence E. Leak, Ph.D., Vice Chair
  
• Benjamin C. Bradlee, Chair Emeritus
  
• June Auerbach
  
• Mr. Lonnie G. Bunch
  
• Leslie Greene Bowman
  
• Barbara Carson
  
• Charlie Cruse
  
• MaryEllen S. Dolan
  
• Iris Carter Ford, Ph.D.
  
• John McAllister, Jr.
  
• Patience O'Connor
  
• David G. Orr, Ph.D.
  
• Edward Papenfuse, Ph.D.
  
• Mary Tilghman

Ex-officio members are:

• Patricia King Jackson (HSMC Foundation designee)
• J. Frank Raley (President of MD Senate designee)
• John Wood (Speaker of the House designee)

The Historic St. Mary's City Commission originated in 1965 when the Governor appointed the St. Mary 's City Restoration Study Commission (Joint Resolution 41, Acts of 1965). The St. Mary's City Commission replaced the study commission in 1966 (Chapter 115, Acts of 1966). Formerly under the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Commission became part of the Department of Housing and Community Development in 1987 (Chapter 311, Acts of 1987). The commission was renamed Historic St. Mary's City Commission in 1991 (Chapter 590, Acts of 1991). In 1997, it was made an independent agency within the office of the Governor and became affiliated formally with St. Mary's College of Maryland (Chapter 583, Acts of 1997). Senate Bill 393 directs the HSMCC to "preserve and protect the archaeological and historical record of Maryland's first colonial capital and to appropriately develop and use this historic and scenic site for the education, enjoyment, and general benefit of the public".

Historic St. Mary's City was Maryland's first settlement and for sixty-one years; until 1695; its colonial capital. The Commission preserves, develops, and maintains historic St. Mary';s City, an outdoor museum and archaeological park on the site of Maryland's original settlement. With emphasis on the 17th century, the Commission studies the history of St. Mary's City, preserves its archaeological evidence, and interprets that history for the public.