Heart of the Civil War

HCWHA U.S. 250th GeoTour Kickoff
2025-09-19 12:00 - 16:00 UTC | Exploration Commons, Westminster Branch of Carroll County Public Library, 50 East Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
Explore the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area in Maryland’s Carroll, Frederick, and Washington Counties! The HCWHA U.S. 250th GeoTour will take you from Civil War battlefields to charming historic towns and lots of unexpected places in between to discover a sampling of our region’s many museums and historic sites.
Created in recognition of 250 years of history since the American Revolution, each geocache highlights the site’s history and you are invited to learn more at each stop during your visit.
This GeoTour was made possible by a TRIPP grant from Visit Frederick, a MAERDAF grant from the Rural Maryland Council, and generous support from the Maryland Geocaching Society.
If you plan to attend the kickoff event for the GeoTour, please register at the link below.

One Vast Hospital – Civil War Walking Tour in Downtown Frederick
2025-09-20 10:30, 2025-09-21 14:00, 2025-09-27 10:30, 2025-09-28 14:00 UTC | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Saturdays and Sundays from April through September
Walk in the footsteps of doctors, nurses, soldiers and civilians who cared for 8,000 wounded soldiers in Downtown Frederick.
Join NMCWM docents for a walking tour of Downtown Frederick focused on the city’s role as a makeshift hospital in the final months of 1862 every Saturday (10:30 a.m.) and Sunday (2:00 p.m.) from April through September.
Tickets are $15 and include admission to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in addition to the walking tour. Tickets are free for Museum members, but you must still reserve your spot. Reservations will be accepted on a first come first served basis.
In September 1862, a newspaper correspondent from the Philadelphia Inquirer referred to Frederick as “one vast hospital.” In the aftermath of America’s bloodiest day at Antietam on September 17, 1862, over 8,000 wounded soldiers, Union and Confederate, were brought to make-shift hospital wards in Frederick’s churches, schools, hotels, and private homes. From the diaries and letters of the surgeons, soldiers, and civilians who were there, this guided walking tour will explore the locations of the city’s Civil War hospitals in churches, schools, and public buildings. Many of those same buildings still make up the historic district today.

Foundations of Frederick History Walking Tour
2025-09-20 10:30 UTC | Heritage Frederick, 24 E Church ST, Frederick, Maryland, 21701
Experience the history and beauty of downtown as knowledgeable guides share the fascinating stories that make up historic Frederick, Maryland.

Carroll 250 Speaker Event: Stephen G. Evangelista, Civil War Historian & Author
2025-09-20 14:00 UTC | Carroll County Public Library – Eldersburg Branch, 6400 Hemlock Drive, Eldersburg, Maryland, 21784
Join author Stephen Evangelista as he explores the topic of his latest book, Forever Silenced: The Story of the Gettysburg Gun which offers an extraordinary and sweeping narrative of one of the Civil War’s most enduring artifacts: the Gettysburg Gun. This cannon is the only known artillery piece to have fought in the Battle of Gettysburg and survive on its original wooden gun carriage.
Learn about the incredible story of the Gettysburg Gun from its casting in Boston in 1862, through the crucible of war, to its present home in Rhode Island. A true testament to survival, sacrifice, and honor across three centuries. Books will be available for purchase and signing after the presentation.
This program is part of the Carroll 250 Speaker Series celebrating the United States Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the 1776 United States Declaration of Independence.
Please visit the Carroll County Public Library website at https://ccpl.librarymarket.com/event/stephen-evangelista
Questions? Contact Laura Bankard, Outreach & Events Director at lbankard@hsccmd.org or 410.848.6494 ext. 200.

Art & Architecture Walking Tour
2025-09-27 10:30 UTC | Heritage Frederick, 24 E Church ST, Frederick, Maryland, 21701
Look at Frederick with new eyes. Experience the history and beauty of downtown as we explore some of the popular architectural styles, local art, and history.

Maryland Microbrewery Festival
2025-09-27 11:00 UTC | The Union Mills Homestead, 3311 Littlestown Pike, Westminster, MD, 21158, United States
The Union Mills Homestead is pleased once again to host this unique event to promote Maryland’s microbreweries. The Maryland Microbrewery Festival is the highlight and culminating event of Carroll County Beer Week. This fun-packed festival celebrates and promotes the best of Maryland’s handcrafted and distinctive microbrews. Come join the fun of Maryland’s premier beer festival!
A wide selection of Maryland breweries, each with a variety of different beers to sample.
Food vendors.
Continuous live music and entertainment.
Crafts and unique merchandise vendors.
Seminars to enhance the public’s knowledge of brewing.
Historic Site – 16 acres of open, beautifully maintained parkland with easy access.
Ample parking, both onsite and at the satellite parking lot–Park there and carpool!
Tickets are available at the event, or get prepaid tickets in advance on the event website, marylandmicrobreweryfestival.com. Limited admission: tickets sold on first-come, first-served basis.
Adult / beer sampling: $25 (in advance) or $30 (at the door). Non-beer sampling: $8 (in advance) or $10 (at the door). Under 12 years: free.

Newcomer House Porch Program - HCWHA U.S. 250th GeoTour
2025-09-27 11:30 UTC | Newcomer House, 8422 Shepherdstown Pike, Keedysville, Maryland, 21756
On Saturday, September 27, 2025 the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (HCWHA) will host a geocaching tutorial at the Newcomer House on Antietam National Battlefield. The tutorial will begin at 11:30 AM and last approximately a half hour. This session will introduce participants to the basics of geocaching, including downloading a free app. Heritage Area Director of Operations and Programs, Emily Huebner, will be at the Newcomer House to assist visitors who are interested in geocaching from 11 AM to 3 PM.
Participants will receive information and a printed passport to explore the new HCWHA US 250th GeoTour, a series of hidden caches in Carroll, Frederick, and Washington Counties that highlight local history. The GeoTour is supported by a TRIPP grant from Visit Frederick, a Rural Maryland Council MAERDAF grant, and a donation from the Maryland Geocaching Society. Learn more about the US 250th GeoTour on the HCWHA website: https://heartofthecivilwar.org/explore/250th-geotour/
The Newcomer House is the only dwelling on the Antietam National Battlefield that witnessed the battle and is regularly open to the public. It serves as an exhibit and visitor center for the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area. Knowledgeable volunteer docents are available to share information about the Newcomer House and offer assistance to visitors to the three-county Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area.
This is the ninth season of Porch Programs at the Newcomer House. Porch Programs feature presentations, demonstrations, pop-up exhibits, interactives and more from April through November.
The Newcomer House is located at 18422 Shepherdstown Pike in Keedysville, MD. The house is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends in April, May, October and November and Tuesday-Sunday, June through September. For more information, contact Newcomer House Manager Rachel Nichols at rachel@heartofthecivilwar.org or (240) 308-1740.

Spirits & Spirits at Rose Hill Cemetery
2025-09-27 16:00 UTC | Rose Hill Cemetery, 600 S Potomac Street, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740
Enter Rose Hill Cemetery for a night of Spirits & Spirits in this fundraiser presented by the Washington County Historical Society. During this live historical theater event, guests can sip spirits and meet with spirits as they stroll through Rose Hill Cemetery, gathering clues to solve a 1920s murder mystery. ACT Black Box Studio will portray historical Hagerstown figures. The historic Rose Hill Cemetery setting offers an opportunity to see the Mausoleum and the Washington Confederate Cemetery, in which are buried Confederate soldiers who fell at the Battles of Antietam and South Mountain. Will you be able to solve a 100-year-old mystery before the sun sets?
This event takes place inside Rose Hill Cemetery. Parking is provided in the cemetery or along S. Potomac Street. Featuring live music, spooky cocktails, and refreshments. Guests should plan to spend approximately 90 minutes walking through Rose Hill Cemetery. 1920s attire is encouraged but not required. This event is generously sponsored by the City of Hagerstown and the James & Mary Schurz Foundation. All proceeds benefit the Washington County Historical Society of Hagerstown, MD.

Civil War Style Church Service
2025-09-28 13:00 UTC | Rocky Springs Chapel, 7817 Rocky Springs Road, Frederick, MD, 21702, United States
Attend a Civil War-style, nondenominational Christian church service at Historic Rocky Springs Chapel on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. Chaplain Steve McCarty will preach the sermon wearing Civil War period attire. A short living history program will follow the church service. HRSC is dedicated to using living history programs to accurately educate the public on Christian practices and the impact of faith on American society during the Civil War.
The chapel is located at 7817 Rocky Springs Road, Frederick, Maryland. The event is free and open to the public. The wearing of Civil War period attire is encouraged but not required.
Questions about the event should be directed to HRSC Trustee Kirk Callison or HRSC Trustee Maria Callison at (301) 874-4737 (Home); (240) 409-8361 (cell); or kmcallison@verizon.net

Carroll 250 Event: Fall History Expo 2025
2025-10-04 09:00 UTC | Exploration Commons, Westminster Branch of Carroll County Public Library, 50 East Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
The Fall History Expo provides an opportunity for attendees to get to know the people in our community who are preserving and telling the stories of Carroll County’s past. The morning event will incorporate Carroll 250 programming and provides a great opportunity for students who are beginning work on their 2026 National History Day projects!
Questions? Please contact Laura Bankard, Outreach & Events Director at lbankard@hsccmd.org or 410.848.6494 ext. 200.

Hagerstown Fiber Festival
2025-10-04 09:00 UTC | University Park, 50 West Washington St., Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740
The Hagerstown Fiber Festival is for fiber enthusiasts of all ages and experiences from Western Maryland, South Central Pennsylvania, the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, and the Northern Shenandoah Valley. HFF will offer demonstrations, vendors of fibers and accessories, and a place to connect with other fiber lovers and work on projects!

Music on the Main
2025-10-04 11:00 UTC | Main Street, New Windsor, Maryland, 21776
Music on the Main (MOTM) is an open-air street festival on Main Street, in historic New Windsor, Maryland. The little town with the big history! MOTM features live bands, a beer, cider, and wine garden, food provided by local organizations, craft and art vendors, exhibits from local businesses and organizations, and children’s activities, including facepainting, a bouncy house, a history scavenger hunt, and barrel rides. The New Windsor Museum will be open for tours and guides will be available to answer questions.

“A Wonderful Tenacity of Life”: The Story of Old Baldy, General George Meade’s Trusted Warhorse
2025-10-04 15:00 UTC | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Dr. Jennifer Murray explores the life, death, and commemoration of Old Baldy, General George G. Meade’s warhorse. Meade purchased the horse in September 1861 and rode him through the spring of 1864. The faithful steed was wounded at least five times and was once described by Meade as having a “wonderful tenacity of life.” Arguably no Civil War mount accumulated a record of service as distinguished as Old Baldy.
Murray is a history professor at Shepherd University and the director of the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War.
This presentation is free with museum admission.

Heritage Apple Fest
2025-10-05 11:00 UTC | Washington County Rural Heritage Museum, 7313 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, MD, 21713, United States
JOIN THE WASHINGTON COUNTY RURAL HERITAGE MUSEM FOR FALL FUN AND FARMSTEAD CHARM SUNDAY OCTOBER 5th from 11:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M
Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of autumn apple harvesting from the 18th to the 20th century, at this charming heritage Washington County Maryland village and farmstead. Discover how early settlers ingeniously preserved apples—explore age-old drying techniques and the craft of moonshine making. Try your hand at pressing apples or relax with a wagon ride pulled by robust draft horses. Explore what our founding fathers sipped over two hundred years ago and appreciate the beauty of three authentic historical gardens brimming with nature. Stroll through three indoor museums of gleaming antique cars, farming history, and home history. Watch as our 18th century-era housewife bakes pies and breads in the Farmstead’s outdoor bake oven. Treat yourself to delicious barbeque and locally made apple dumplings while enjoying lively music.
Adults can delight in the signature Apple Pie Moonshine cocktail from Pathfinder Farm Distillery, along with other beverage options. Browse through an array of products from local orchard merchants offering crisp apples, fresh cider and gleaming honey. Young guests can don colonial-era accessories in the historic 1760’s Glass Family Cabin and embark on a lively scavenger hunt inspired by colonial traditions. This memorable activity is generously sponsored in part by a grant from the Maryland Alcohol Manufacturing and Production Fund and the Boonsboro Town Alliance. Parking is by donation and proceeds will support the museum’s programs. Visit www.ruralheritagemuseum.org

Frederick in the Civil War: A Bus Tour of the Historic City
2025-10-05 14:00 UTC | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Step back in time aboard a vintage 1966 double-decker bus for a fascinating one-hour journey through Downtown Frederick, exploring the city’s critical role in the Civil War and the evolution of battlefield medicine.
Departing from the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, this guided tour is led by a professional docent who will share gripping stories of local hospitals, heroic caregivers, and the medical innovations that emerged from wartime necessity. As you roll through historic streets and landmarks, you’ll gain insight into the challenges faced by doctors, nurses, and soldiers alike during one of the most pivotal periods in American history.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
– Explore Frederick’s Civil War history through a medical lens aboard a restored 1966 double-decker bus
– Hear expert narration from a professional museum docent
– Visit key sites where wounded soldiers were treated
– A unique educational experience in the heart of historic Frederick
– Every ticket includes admission to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine
DEPARTS FROM: The National Museum of Civil War Medicine
TICKET PRICE: $39 per person (includes admission to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine)
HOW TO BOOK: Spots are limited — join us for an unforgettable ride through the past — where history meets healing.

The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall
2025-10-09 18:00 UTC | New Windsor Fire Department Carnival Grounds, 101 High Street, New Windsor, Maryland, 21776
The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall is a 3/5 scale replica of the original in DC standing over 6′ tall, spanning 300 feet end to end. The Wall honors the over 58,000 names of the men and women of the armed forces who served and lost their lives in Vietnam.
Inscribed on the Wall includes the names of 18 Carroll Countians who were killed in action serving in the Vietnam War. Of the 18 KIA, Sherman E. Flanagan Jr. from Westminster is still missing in action. We also had one POW from the war. Peter “Eddie” Drabic, Army, was taken as Prisoner of War while on patrol in the jungles in South Vietnam on September 24, 1968, and was held until his release on March 16, 1973, spending 1,635 days in captivity. We will have the panel numbers available for those wishing to do a rubbing from the Wall of our hometown heroes.
Bringing The Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall® into our county is an opportunity to REMEMBER the 58,281 heroes’ names inscribed on the Wall, HONOR those who served and provide a sense of comfort for our Vietnam veterans as they HEAL through reflection and remembrance of their comrades, away from the hustle and bustle of DC at a location many calls home.
It also serves as a means to EDUCATE through the numerous exhibits to understand the valor and sacrifices made; remembering those who never returned home and those still fighting the fight. The Wall will remain open at the New Windsor Fire Department Carnival Grounds, 24 hours/day starting at 6:00pm, Thursday, October 9th (following a Vietnam era concert starting at 5:00pm) with the Wall closing Monday, October 13th at 11:00am.

Fall Fest
2025-10-10 10:00 - 2025-10-11 10:00 (America/New_York) | Catoctin Furnace, 12610 Catoctin Furnace Road, Thurmont, Maryland, 21788
Visit the quaint village of Catoctin Furnace during Fall Fest when the sweet smell of apple butter boiling over an open fire is in the air. You can take home a fresh pint, shop for crafts, or watch a blacksmith ply his trade.

Culture & Cocktails: The Two Emilie Lawrence Reeds of Blue Ridge Summit
2025-10-10 18:00 UTC | Miller House Museum, 135 W Washington St, Hagerstown, MD, 21740, United States
On Friday, October 10, join genealogist Pam Anderson as she presents, “The Two Emilie Lawrence Reeds of Blue Ridge Summit.”
Celebrate Family History Month this October by attending this C&C with Pam Anderson of Anderson CoGen Collaborative Genealogy Services, as she presents on the lives of two women, both named Emilie Reed, who were connected to U.S. Army physician Dr. Walter Reed. Dr. Reed owned the historical Washington County home, Keewaydin, on Blue Ridge Summit.
This month’s cocktail is the Tom Collins, a late-19th century gin-based drink. Doors open at 5:30 PM and light hors d’oeuvres will be served!
Culture & Cocktails 2025 has been made possible by the generous support of the James and Mary Schurz Foundation. Please register at the link.

America 250 Speaker Series
2025-10-11 15:00 UTC | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Author John Rees will examine the role of Black Americans, free and enslaved, in the regiments of the Continental Army. Black troops served in nearly every Continental regiment, and even relatively large numbers served in southern regiments. The greatest number served alongside their White comrades in integrated units. Rees will discuss Black soldiers’ acceptance, service, and experiences during and after the war for American independence. African American women with the army will also be discussed, including a rare Connecticut soldier’s letter sent home to his wife who also spent time in camp.
John U. Rees, is a lifelong resident of Bucks County, Pa., and has been writing for almost 40 years on the experiences of common soldiers and women in the armies of the American Revolution. He has authored more than 200 articles, most available free online. His first book, ‘They Were Good Soldiers’: African Americans Serving in the Continental Army, 1775-1783 was published in 2019; his second, titled Don Troiani’s Black Soldiers in America’s Wars, 1754-1865, was published in January 2025.
The presentation is included with admission to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine and FREE for NMCWM members.

Haunted History at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine
2025-10-11 17:00, 2025-10-18 17:00 UTC | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Starting on October 11th, tour the most haunted building in Frederick – the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Explore the building’s history amidst the darkened galleries and offices. On the tour, staff and volunteers will share stories of Civil War embalmers, the building’s most infamous tenants, and their first-hand accounts of paranormal activity that have given the building its spooky reputation. In addition to a trip through the museum galleries, the tour provides exclusive access to the third floor where numerous sightings have occurred.
48 East Patrick Street was built in the 1830s. Before it became the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, the building was a furniture shop and a site of Civil War embalming, as well as home to many Frederick residents and their businesses. The past still echoes through the halls of the building. The haunting sights, sounds, and sensations from the building have been reported for decades by the people who lived and worked in the building over many years. Join us to hear our staff and volunteers’ stories first-hand.
You are invited to bring your own cameras and ghost-finding apps – who knows what you’ll capture!
Flash photography and LIVE streaming are prohibited. Tours will be given on October 11, 18, 25, and 26 from 5:00-6:30PM. This year we are offering two special Halloween tours on Friday, October 31 from 5:00-7:30 and 7:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. During these special Halloween night tours, you’ll have additional time to tour the galleries without a guide.

SAR 250 Speakers Series - Black Soldiers Serving in the Continental Army
2025-10-12 14:00 UTC | Frederick Masonic Lodge, 6816 Blentlinger Rd, Frederick, Maryland, 21702
Join the Sgt. Lawrence Everhart Sons of the American Revolution for a presentation titled, “‘You never see a regiment in which there are not a lot of negroes:’ Black Soldiers Serving in the Continental Army,” by John U. Rees, a Revolutionary War historian who specializes in the common soldier. The role of Black Americans, free and enslaved, in the regiments of the Continental Army is not well-known; neither is the fact that relatively large numbers served in southern regiments, and that the greatest number served alongside their white comrades in integrated units. John Rees will discuss Black soldiers’ acceptance, service, and experiences during and after the War for American Independence. African American women with the army will also be featured, including a Connecticut soldier’s letter sent home to his wife who also spent time in camp.
John U. Rees, a lifelong resident of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, has been writing for almost 40 years on the experiences of common soldiers and women in the armies of the American Revolution. He has authored over 200 articles, most available free online. His first book, “They Were Good Soldiers:” African Americans Serving in the Continental Army, 1775-1783, was published in 2019; his second, titled “Don Troiani’s Black Soldiers in America’s Wars, 1754-1865,” came out in January 2025.

Civil War Perils and Pursuits 1863
2025-10-14 18:30 (America/New_York) | Smithsburg Library, 66 W. Water Street, Smithsburg, MD, 21783
From Gettysburg, to Monterey Pass, to Maryland. Presenter Darwin Seiler of Monterey Pass Battlefield Association presents the dramatic story of Union cavalries pursuing Confederate regiments and their wagon train fleeing southward after the Battle of Gettysburg. Three non-profits collaborate to share stories about the perils and hardships faced by locals in Ringgold, Smithsburg and Leitersburg, Maryland during many skirmishes in June and July 1863.
This program is free to the public.

History: Shaken & Stirred – Untold Ghost Stories of Carroll County
2025-10-16 18:00 UTC | Covalent Spirits, 118 E. Main Street, Westminster, Maryland, 21157
Stop in for a drink at Covalent Spirits Westminster on October 9th at 6pm as HSCC continues History: Shaken and Stirred. Once again there will be five speakers telling three 5-minute, untold, local history stories shared with the crowd in a fun, relaxed setting. This quarter, Untold Ghost Stories of Carroll County will be told. A special history-themed drink will be developed by owners Jenn and Drew. Please have dinner before you come, as the refreshments are light and meant for snacking. Light refreshments provided by Collision Course. No RSVP or reservation required.
Covalent Spirits is located at 118 E Main St, Westminster, MD 21157 in the 1920s building that served as the City Garage. More information can be found here: https://covalentspirits.com/home

Frederick County Civil War Roundtable Meeting and Presentation
2025-10-16 19:00 UTC | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Author Scott Mingus will present “Railroads of the Gettysburg Campaign.” More than a dozen railroads in Virginia, Maryland, and southern Pennsylvania played roles in the 1863 Gettysburg Campaign. These, of course, included the Gettysburg Railroad and its connecting partner, the Hanover Branch Railroad. Starting with the Battle of Brandy Station, discover how railroads influenced Confederate strategy, Union defensive tactics, and the impact on the civilian populace who relied on rail transportation.
This presentation is free for members and $5.00 for non-members.

Cannons & Caverns Bus Tour: Antietam Battlefield and Crystal Grottoes Caverns
2025-10-18 09:00 UTC | Bus Pickup at JCPenney Valley Mall Parking Lot, 17301 Valley Mall Road, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740
Explore Antietam Battlefield and Crystal Grottoes Caverns on Saturday, October 18th, as the Washington County Historical Society travels back in time to visit our historic landscapes. The bus tour will meet at the JC Penney parking lot located on the East side of the Valley Mall in Hagerstown, MD. The group will depart from this location by bus at 9:00 AM, but guests should plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to departure.
The first stop of the day will be Antietam National Battlefield, site of the famous 1862 Civil War battle. Dr. Tom Clemens, an Antietam Battlefield Guide and author, will join us for a tour of the battlefield by bus. After a catered boxed lunch, we will head to our second stop, Crystal Grottoes Caverns, discovered in 1920. It is the only public, commercial cave in the State of Maryland. We will return to the JC Penney parking lot at the Valley Mall by 3:30 PM.
Price per guest is $60 for WCHS members and $75 for non-members (tickets include all fees for Crystal Grottoes and Antietam National Battlefield). Contact us at 301-797-8782 or email us at info@washcohistory.org to make your reservation.

Spirits of the Furnace
2025-10-18 18:30 (America/New_York) | Catoctin Furnace, 12610 Catoctin Furnace Road, Thurmont, Maryland, 21788
The spirits come out one night a year at Catoctin Furnace. Meet a soldier in the Mexican American war who died in a duel. See the ghost of an enslaved ironworker. You might even run into the Snallygaster, a creature who haunted the skies above Frederick County.
