Civil War & Historic Sites
Steeped in history, many consider their visits to our Civil War sites their personal "meccas" of places to see. Founded in 1776, we go back to the French & Indian War and to the early life of our nation.
Antietam is considered to be one of the most pivotal battles of the Civil War; it lead President Lincoln to issue the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. The entire Maryland Campaign can be toured with in minutes from Hagerstown, including the Battle of South Mountain and Monocacy Battlefield. Monuments and memorials to those who gave their lives for their country are abundant, and not to be missed.
Our place in the national history of transportation is evident when visiting. Prior to railroading, the C&O Canal was the means of transporting goods across the state and region. Today, visitors can bike, hike, and even canoe on portions of it. Known as the "Hub City" our railroad history is well documented and can be viewed at several sites across in Hagerstown.
Come for the History...Stay for the Fun!!!
Antietam National Battlefield
PO Box 158 (Rt. 65)
Sharpsburg, MD 21782
P: 301-432-5124
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The Bloodiest One Day Battle in American History where 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam…
Antietam National Cemetery Museum
PO Box 158 (Rt 65)
Sharpsburg, MD 21782
P: 301-432-5124
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At Sharpsburg, the site of the bloodiest single day battle in American history. Casualties totaled more than 23,000 on September 17, 1862. Clara Barton cared for wounded soldiers here. Visit…
Battle of Falling Waters 1863 Foundation
The mission of the foundation is to preserve land(s) on which the battle was fought.
Nearly 7,000 Union cavalry and light artillery attached Gen. Robert E. Lee's rear guard of…
Beaver Creek School Museum
Beaver Creek Church Road
Hagerstown, MD 21740
P: 301-797-8782
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Operated by the Washington County Historical Society. Authentically refurbished turn-of-the-century one-room schoolhouse and museum. Special rates for youth and group tours. Group tours may call for appointments on unscheduled days.
Boonsboro Trolley Museum
214 N. Main Street
Boonsboro, MD 21713
P: 301-432-7030
Website
The Boonsboro Trolley Museum was the Boonsboro Trolley Stations from 1902 to 1938. The museum was dedicated September 12, 2009 and houses trolley artifacts and photos.
Boonsborough Museum of History
113 Main St.
Boonsboro, MD 21713
P: 240-816-0488
Website
“One of the best little museums in America” and “a miniature Smithsonian. The museum houses a vast and unique collection of historical objects of local and national importance. From ancient…
Bowman House
323 N. Main Street
Boonsboro, MD
P: 301-432-8410
Website
The Bowman House is a log house in Boonsboro, Maryland, United States, typical of those built in the area in the early 19th century. It and its immediate grounds housed…
City Park Train Hub
770 City Park Drive
Hagerstown, MD 21740
P: 301-739-8577, ext. 170
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Located in City Park, the Hagerstown Railroad Museum features hundreds of signs, signals, bells, telephones and tools that were used by railroad workers every day. Most of the items in…
Conococheague Institute Museum and Library
12995 Bain Rd.
Mercersburg, PA 17236
P: 717-328-3467
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A 30 acre site with woodlands, wetlands, meadows and gardens make the perfect backdrop for the historic buildings that make up this preserved Colonial Homestead that represents life on the…
Dahlgren Chapel
Rt. 40A at Washington Monument Rd., Old National Pike in Frederick County.
Middletown, MD 21769
P: 301-371-7090
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Across from the Old South Mountain Inn, the Gothic style Dahlgren Chapel sits atop South Mountain, on the border of both Frederick County and Washington County, a perfect setting for…
Fort Frederick State Park
11100 Fort Frederick Rd.
Big Pool, MD 21711
P: 301-842-2155
Website
American history from the colonial period to the present can be discovered at Fort Frederick State Park. Our 585 acre park features a unique stone fort that served as Maryland’s…
Gathland State Park Museum
900 Arnoldstown Rd.
Boonsboro, MD
P: 301-791-4767
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Astride the ridge known as South Mountain, near Burkittsville at Crampton's Gap, lies Gathland State Park. The home of an unusual man, Gathland was an architecturally unique estate made up…
Hagerstown Aviation Museum
18450 Showalter Rd., Building 8
Hagerstown, MD 21742
P: (301) 733-8717
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At this time, museum aircraft and exhibits are available to the public during museum events only. The museum hangar is currently under rehabilitation and not open to the public with…
Hancock Town Museum
126 W. High Street
Hancock, MD 21750
P: (301) 678-7377
Website
Museum has thousands of items pertaining to Hancock, thousands of antiques, transportation museum pertaining to C & O Canal, National Pike, and Western Maryland Railroad. We also have many, many…
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
151 S. East Street
Frederick, MD 21701
P: 301-600-4042
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The Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area is ideally positioned to serve as your “base camp” for driving the popular Civil War Trails and visiting the battlefields and sites…
Historic Fort Ritchie
25009 Lake Wastler Drive
Cascade, MD 21719
P: 301-241-2231
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Historic Fort Ritchie, a decommissioned Army Post and home of both the Ritchie Boys of WWII and 7th Signal Command, has a rich military history spanning 72 years. Paired with…
John Brown Raid Headquarters
2406 Chestnut Grove Rd.
Sharpsburg, MD 21782
Website
The John Brown Raid Headquarters in Maryland is a national historic landmark, used during the summer of 1859 by John Brown and his Provisional Army of the United States. From…
Jonathan Hager House Museum
110 Key St.
Hagerstown, MD 21740
P: 301-739-8393
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Located in beautiful Hagerstown City Park, the Jonathan Hager House is the original home of Jonathan Hager, the founder of Hagerstown. Built in 1739, the Hager House was uniquely erected…
Miller House Museum
135 W. Washington St.
Hagerstown, MD 21740
P: 301-797-8782
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The fine brick Federal style townhouse at 135 West Washington Street in Hagerstown is the headquarters of the Washington County Historical Society. The house was built in 1825 for William…
National Museum of Civil War Medicine
48 E. Patrick Street, PO Box 470
Frederick, MD 21705
P: 301-695-1864
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The museum has nearly 7,000 square feet of exhibit space featuring nine immersion exhibit galleries.
Newcomer House & Visitor Center
18422 Shepherdstown Pike
Keedysville, MD 21756
P: 301-432-6402
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The historic Newcomer House at Antietam National Battlefield is the site of the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area Exhibit and Visitor Center
Plumb Grove Mansion
Broadfording Rd
Clear Spring, MD 21722
P: 301-842-1393
Website
Rural 1831 farmhouse offers tours and annual holiday open house. Open 1-4pm the first Sunday of each month in June - October.
Pry House Field Hospital Museum
18906 Shepherdstown Pike
Sharpsburg, MD 21782
P: 301-416-2395
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Complimentary site to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine's main location, focusing on battlefield medicine after Antietam. Located in the historic Philip Pry House and barn. Exhibits, educational programs,…
Rose Hill Cemetery of Hagerstown
600 S. Potomac Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740
P: 301-739-3630
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Rose Hill Cemetery is an active non-profit public cemetery which has been serving Washington County and surrounding areas since 1866. In addition to being the final resting place of over…
Smithsburg Town Museum
21 W. Water St
Smithsburg, MD 21783
P: 301-824-7234
Website
A Heritage Room, displaying artifacts of the area, has been established and is open to the public by appointment.
South Mountain State Battlefield
6620 Zittlestown Road
Boonsboro, MD 21713
P: 301-791-4767
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Begin your visit of South Mountain Battlefield at the Washington Monument State Park Office and Museum at 6620 Zittlestown Road in Boonsboro; or Gathland State Park in Burkittsville, MD.
South Mountain State Park
21843 National Pike
Boonsboro, MD 21713
P: 301-791-4767
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South Mountain State Park is a 40-mile long multi-use state park weaving along the South Mountain ridge from the Pennsylvania line to the Potomac River. It has no distinguishable boundary…
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
18313 Lappans Rd.
Boonsboro, MD 21713
P: 301-582-0417
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Founded in 1849, St. Mark's has served the community as a place of worship, education and service.
Tolson's Chapel
111 East High Street, P.O. Box 162
Sharpsburg, MD 21782
P: 240-452-7389
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African American Heritage site, dedicated to preserving the history of the first black church and Freedmen's Bureau school, in Sharpsburg, MD. A wayside marker is located on the property for…
Washington County Assoc. of Museums & Historical Sites
PO Box 168
Hagerstown, MD 21741-0168
P: 301-733-3638
The Washington County Association of Museums & Historic Sites is the active organization that promotes all of the historical locations within Washington County, MD. Each sites/museum is own individual entity…
Washington County Historical Society
135 West Washington St.
Hagerstown, MD 21740
P: 301-797-8782
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The Simms Jamieson Historical and Genealogical Library is open year round in the lower level of the Miller House from Tue-Sat 9am-4pm. Washington County Maryland has a rich history and…
Washington County Rural Heritage Museum
7313 Sharpsburg Pike (MD 65)
Boonsboro, MD 21713
P:
Website |
The most comprehensive collection of artifacts made or used in 1800’s Washington County, including an original historic brethren church, county store, doctor’s office, family log cabins, drying shed & period…
Washington Monument State Park
6620 Zittlestown Rd.
Boonsboro, MD 21713
P: 301-791-4767
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In Washington County, four miles east of Boonsboro and 1 1/2 miles north of Alternate Route 40 on Monument Road, Washington Monument State Park is named for the first monument…
Williamsport Town Museum and Springfield Barn
Spingfield Lane
Williamsport, MD 21795
P: 301-223-5854
Website
Visit the museum located in the barn and operated by the History and Museum Board and observe firsthand the rich heritage and history of Williamsport. Open Sundays, 1PM - 4PM.
Wilson's Store
14921 Rufus Wilson Rd.
Clear Spring, MD 21722
P: 301-582-4718
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