Heart of the Civil War

Juneteenth
2026-06-19 11:00 (America/New_York) | Mullinix Park, 16 S Bentz St, Frederick, MD, 21701
The City of Frederick is proud to host its first-ever Juneteenth Community Celebration on Friday, June 19 at Mullinix Park. Join from 11 AM – 3 PM for food trucks, local vendors, entertainment, family-friendly activities, and a celebration of Black history, culture, and community.
This free event welcomes all residents to come together in recognition of freedom, resilience, and the contributions of Frederick’s Black community

Juneteenth: From Enslavement to Emancipation
2026-06-19 11:00 | Best Farm (Tour Stop #1), Urbana Pike, Monocacy National Battlefield, Frederick, MD, 21742, United States
Slavery was legal in Maryland until November 1, 1864, when the new State Constitution, voted on by Marylanders, went into effect ending the practice. Join a ranger walk to learn about the enslaved people who lived and worked on the six historic properties that make up Monocacy National Battlefield, as well as the United States Colored Troops who enlisted at Monocacy Junction.
This program meets at the Best Farm, tour stop #1, on Monocacy National Battlefield and includes about a one mile walk out to Monocacy Junction and back again. Appropriate clothes and footwear should be considered. Best Farm is located at 5106 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD 21704.

Juneteenth
2026-06-19 10:00 | Halfway African American Cemetery, 11027 Clinton Avenue, Hagerstown, MD, 21740
This Juneteenth celebration will include live music, readings, and historical context relevant to this historic Black cemetery. Attendees will have an opportunity to join in the reading of the names of those buried in the cemetery who were born during the slavery era. The cemetery includes 15 Civil War veterans, some of whom had been enslaved before enlisting, and one World War I veteran. Please note the site has uneven ground and trip hazards.

Carroll 250 Event: History of Manchester Presented by Joe Getty
2026-06-18 19:30 | Manchester Town Council Chambers, 3337 Victory Street, Manchester, MD, 21102
The earliest settlement in Manchester took place through the movement of population from two different directions by settlers seeking productive agricultural land to establish farmsteads.
English-speaking settlers from Tidewater Maryland started claiming land in this region during the 1730s. Due to their access to the land patent office in Annapolis, many of the original land surveys were done by prominent landowners in Tidewater Maryland.
The northern part of Carroll County, however, was dominated by German-speaking settlers moving south from central Pennsylvania.
By 1758, a sufficient number of German-speaking households had settled so that they banded together to form a church congregation and sought a land patent. Their land grant, named “German Church in Baltimore County,” was issued on Oct. 23, 1758.
Mr. Getty, who writes a local history column for the Northern News, will present his own research about the history of Manchester, including the attempts to build a railroad and the post-Civil War cigar industry.
In addition, his Powerpoint presentation will include artifacts and source materials from the Manchester Historical Center at 3208 York St., Manchester.
This event is FREE and open to the public.
The Manchester History Center collects and exhibits photographs and artifacts about all eras in Manchester’s history. It is located at 3208 York St. and open on the 1st Sunday and the 3rd Saturday of each month. Hours are 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment on other days.

Carroll 250 Event: Dutch Corner Dinner for the 250th Celebration
2026-06-18 17:00 | Dutch Corner Restaurant, 3154 Main Street, Manchester, MD, 21102
In addition to the History of Manchester presentation by Joe Getty, the Dutch Corner will be open for a 250th Celebration dinner, on Thursday, June 18. The restaurant will be decorated with a patriotic flair and the menu will hearken to your favorite 4th of July picnics. The restaurant will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 18. Space is limited so please make a reservation by calling (410) 239-8100.

Curious Iguana Presents: Author David O. Stewart
2026-06-16 18:00 | C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E Patrick Street, Frederick, MD, 21701
In light of America’s 250th birthday this year, Curious Iguana is eager to welcome historian and author David O. Stewart to Frederick on Tuesday, June 16 from 6:00-7:00 pm. David will discuss his latest book, “The Democracy We Must Keep” with Holly Smith, editor-in-chief of the Washington Independent Review of Books. Following their discussion, David will answer questions and sign books. Copies of “The Democracy We Must Keep” will be available for purchase at the event.
Location: C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E. Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701 This event is free and open to the public, hosted in partnership with Frederick County Public Library. For accessibility requests, email events@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event.
About the book: “A great scholar of the American past, David O. Stewart has brilliantly mined what has come before to guide us in our own, all-too-urgent American present. An important and timely volume.” ~ Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The American Struggle.”
What did America’s founders say about democracy—and can we remain true to their vision for America?
Two hundred fifty years ago, passionate men attempted to create something the world had never seen before: a nation built not on kings or armies, but on ideas where the people ruled.
In “The Democracy We Must Keep,” historian David O. Stewart takes readers inside the nine key documents that shaped the formation of the United States—from Patrick Henry’s thunderous cry for liberty to the carefully crafted design of a government chosen by the people, with limits on all officials holding power under the Constitution.
Through the words of seven visionary founders—Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, Gouverneur Morris, and others—Stewart shows how a fragile experiment in self-government took shape.
These men were not saints. They argued passionately. They worried that the new nation might fall apart. Yet together, they forged the principles that must still define American democracy.

That power must be limited.
That leaders must answer to the people.
That individual rights must be protected by law.

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, The Democracy We Must Keep urges readers to rediscover core ideas that built the nation—and to consider what it will take to protect them.
About the author: A trial and appellate lawyer for many years, David O. Stewart now writes history and historical novels. His five narrative histories have won seven awards from literary organizations, and his five historical novels include best-sellers. In 2023, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Washington Independent Review of Books, of which he is the founding president.
About the moderator: Holly Smith is editor-in-chief of the Washington Independent Review of Books, as well as a college lecturer, longtime freelance writer, and proud “Jeopardy!” bronze medalist. Prior to joining the Independent, she was managing editor of Maryland Life magazine. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, CNBC.com , Salon, and elsewhere. She also co-authored the travel guide Seafood Lover’s Chesapeake Bay, which is ironic since she doesn’t eat fish. Find her on Bluesky at @‌HSmithWrites.

Box Lunch Talk: Battle of Westminster Corbit's Charge Revisited Presented by Steven Carney
2026-06-16 12:00 | Historical Society of Carroll County, 210 E. Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
On June 29th, 1863, the tragedy of war unfolded upon the streets of Westminster, MD. This ferocious battle, although brief, caused major implications upon the Battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War as a whole. This talk, given by historian Steven W. Carney, will discuss the events leading up to “Corbit’s Charge,” the battle itself, the aftermath, and the impact the battle had upon the Civil War. Steven will also discuss highlights of the role Carroll County played within the Gettysburg Campaign and the Civil War.
Steven Carney is a historian with over 20 years’ experience. He specializes on the American Civil War era and has worked with many organizations to provide educational programming on a variety of topics. His work is featured in the Living History Gazette, USA Today, and in film productions for the Travel Chanel, American Heroes Channel, and the Legends and Lies television series. Since 2011, he has been a member and officer with the Pipe Creek Civil War Round Table and was chairman of the annual Corbit’s Charge commemoration event for ten years. Steven has served on the board of several organizations where he planned large-scale events and fundraising efforts for historical preservation. Steven earned a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology and an M.S. in Public Administration from McDaniel College and a certificate in Terrorism Analysis from the University of Maryland.
As always, there is no registration for Box Lunch Talks. You bring your lunch, and the Historical Society of Carroll County provides the drinks and desserts (thanks to our volunteers and staff). The cost is $3 for HSCC members and $5 for nonmembers.

The Confederate Soldier, Food, and the Maryland Campaign – Michael Hardy
2026-06-15 19:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
It is a common cliché – that food makes the army move. That is especially true for the Maryland Campaign. Food was one reason why Lee moved north following his victories at Second Manassas and Chantilly. While some of the soldiers, like those who captured Harpers Ferry, were well fed, others went hungry through much of the campaign. It was the opinion of Assistant Surgeon Spencer Welch of the 13th South Carolina Infantry that during the Maryland Campaign, “we were almost starved.” Historian and author, Michael C. Hardy will discuss this dire condition on June 15 as he presents, “we were almost starved” The Confederate soldier, Food, and the Maryland Campaign.
Michael C. Hardy is an award-winning and widely published author. He has written on a large array of subjects – airplanes, Southern places, and Confederate regiments—in books, articles, and blog posts. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama. In 2010, Hardy was named North Carolina Historian of the Year by the North Carolina Society of Historians. He was also awarded the James I. Robertson Literary Prize by the Robert E. Lee Civil War Library and Research Center in 2018 for his history of the Branch-Lane Brigade, General Lee’s Immortals (Savas Beatie, 2018). Michael has presented at a number conferences, like the Appomattox/Longwood Civil War Seminar, Pamplin Historical Park’s Symposium, and the American Battlefield Trust’s Annual Meeting, as well as being featured on an episode of Blood and Fury on the American Heroes Channel. When not researching, writing, and traveling, he volunteers at historic sites, sharing his love for history.
Come join leading historians and scholars as they discuss intriguing topics about their latest works and research on the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War during the Antietam Institute’s Civil War Summer Lecture Series. See the complete 2026 schedule.
These indoor programs are held in McKinley Hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The church is located at 209W Main Street with a small parking area off the alley. More parking is available on Main and Hall Streets. These lectures are free and open to the public. Each week, the Antietam Institute holds a drawing in which the proceeds support the Save Historic Antietam Foundation. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates and changes to the schedule.

250th Anniversary Woodwind and Pipe Organ Concert
2026-06-14 15:00 | St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 5 East Main Street, Burkittsville, MD, 21718
Come and enjoy a concert of music to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country with compositions by American composers such as John Philip Sousa, Irving Berlin, Florence B. Price, George M. Cohan, Paul Williams, and others, performed by Kokopelli Winds. Organist Jody Brumage will also perform several selections of American tunes on the mighty St. Paul organ, including compositions by Frederick County composers John Thomas Schley and George Edward Smith. The concert is free and open to the public. There is ample parking and the building is handicap accessible. An ice cream sundae social will follow the concert.

Maryland Liberty Tree Project Celebration
2026-06-14 14:00 | Mount Olivet Cemetery, 515 South Market St, Frederick, Maryland, 21701
Visit Mt. Olivet Cemetery on June 14, 2026, at 2 p.m. for a regional celebration of the Maryland Liberty Tree Project as a part of Flag Day programming.
Liberty Trees are being planted within heritage areas across every jurisdiction, including each Maryland county and the City of Baltimore. A statewide partnership is sponsoring the project, including Preservation Maryland, the Maryland Center for History and Culture, the Department of Natural Resources – Maryland Forest Service, the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area (SMNHA), the Maryland Heritage Areas Coalition (MHAC), and the Maryland250 Commission.
A Liberty Tree planted at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, near the Francis Scott Key monument and gravesite, will be dedicated in a 2 p.m. ceremony featuring remarks by Chris Haugh, Mt. Olivet Cemetery Community Relations and Historic Preservation Manager and Frederick County US Semiquincentennial Commission co-chairs, Shuan Butcher and Ysela Bravo. Mr. Butcher also represents the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area as a past president and Director Emeritus. Selections by Monocacy Field Music, a period music ensemble, will be part of the celebration.
Following the Liberty Tree dedication, Friends of Mt. Olivet Cemetery will present the 6th annual Flag Day Author’s Talk, featuring Dottie Olson and her new book entitled, Frederick’s Other City: Revolutionary Patriots of Mount Olivet Cemetery. A book signing and reception will follow.
All aspects of the event are free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. However, in the case of inclement weather the programs will be offered in Key Memorial Chapel.
The day and location are apt choices for the event, as the resting place of Francis Scott Key, who was inspired by the flag to author the Star-Spangled Banner in 1814. Flag Day is also the start of Civic Season, which continues through Juneteenth on June 19, and wraps up on July 4, 2026. Civic Season is a time to reflect on American history, engage with local communities, and participate in active citizenship.

Civil War Church Service
2026-06-14 13:00 | Rocky Springs Chapel, 7817 Rocky Springs Road, Frederick, MD, 21702, United States
The Historic Rocky Springs Chapel is having monthly Civil War Era Church service. The preacher dresses in period clothing using the bible of the period (KJV). They sing the old time hymns and have some free gospel tracts from the civil war period. Sometimes they have a short living history. Normally we meet on the second Sunday of the month, but times can change. Contact Kirk Callison at 240 656 0254 or email: kmcallison@verizon.net

One Vast Hospital - Downtown Frederick Walking Tour
2026-06-14 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-06-13 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-06-07 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-06-06 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-05-31 12:00 - 13:30 | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Explore the incredible Civil War history in Downtown Frederick with expert guides from the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.
Every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and Sunday at 12:00 p.m. from April until September, docents from the National Museum of Civil War Medicine will explain how Frederick became “One Vast Hospital.” Arguably the most trying moment in city’s history came after the Battle of Antietam in the fall of 1862. The town’s population doubled when 8,000 wounded soldiers were delivered by ambulance to make-shift hospitals throughout Frederick. Walking tours last for an hour to an hour and a half.
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.
Contact Chris Reed at chris.reed@civilwarmed.org for more information.

Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage - Frederick County Tour
2026-06-13 10:00 - 17:00 | Throughout Frederick County, Frederick County, Frederick, Maryland, 21701
The Maryland House and Garden Tour of Frederick County showcases the region’s rich layers of history, from its earliest Native inhabitants to its role as a crossroads of trade, culture, and conflict. Formed in 1748, Frederick County flourished along the Old National Road, where stagecoaches and Conestoga wagons once carried settlers and goods westward, fueling the growth of thriving towns like Frederick, Middletown, and New Market. Visitors will explore historic homes and gardens that reflect the area’s agricultural prosperity, industrial innovation, and Civil War legacy. Today, Frederick County remains a vibrant mix of scenic farmland, mountain landscapes, and lively Main Street communities, where the past and present come together in one of Maryland’s most picturesque and historic destinations. Find the full list of tour sites here. Learn more and purchase your tickets here: https://www.mhgp.org/frederickcounty

Carroll 250 Event: What a Revolution! A Dress in Two Days - Day 2
2026-06-13 10:00 | Historical Society of Carroll County, 210 E. Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
Visit the Historical Society of Carroll County and engage with mantua makers, milliners and seamstresses as they create an 18th-century gown, influenced by a portrait of Mrs. Mordecai Gist, attributed to Charles Wilson Peale.
Dressed in 18th century clothing, the ladies will be reproducing a stylish silk sacque back gown, to be displayed in July. Event runs from 10 am – 3 pm This is a free event. No registration is required.

Elevated Architecture Double Decker Bus Tour
2026-06-13 10:00 | The Museum of Frederick County History, 24 E Church St, Frederick, MD, 21701
Heritage Frederick is excited to partner with Maryland Double Deckers to bring you an all new history experience! Most people walk through Downtown Frederick with absolutely no awareness of what’s happening above their own eyebrows, which is precisely how gargoyles gain confidence. This tour aims to correct that.
Many of the defining features of historic Downtown Frederick’s charming architecture are found high above the streets in upper stories, cornices, and spires. Discover beautifully preserved examples of commercial, residential, religious, and public buildings displaying major American and European styles that span more than two centuries. Along the way, we’ll explore how the history of Frederick is told by the enduring structures that witnessed it.
Recurring program: Saturdays: June 13, July 11, August 8 10-11:30am Sundays: September 13, October 11 2-3:30pm

19th Annual Barnstormers Tour and Plein Air Paint Out: "The Barns of Carrollton Manor"
2026-06-13 10:00 | Frederick County Landmarks Foundation, 1110 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD, 21701
This popular self-guided tour of historic barns brings awareness to the public of Frederick County’s strong agricultural heritage and how barns were constructed to last. Barn docents will greet ticket holders at each barn location to share information and answer questions. During this time, artists and crafters will be creating at the barns. Visit barns on farms around the Adamstown area with demonstrators and artists at work. After the tour, join the Frederick County Landmarks Foundation for food, music, and art sale.
This tour is $20 per person (children 12 & under are free).

Voices of the Maryland 400: Maryland's Revolutionary War Soldiers at the Battle of Brooklyn in 1776
2026-06-10 19:15 | C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E Patrick Street, Frederick, MD, 21701
Voices of the Maryland 400: Maryland’s Revolutionary War Soldiers at the Battle of Brooklyn in 1776:
In August 1776, the Continental Army suffered a terrible defeat at the Battle of Brooklyn, the first major battle of the Revolutionary War. The battle nearly saw the complete destruction of the American army, but a desperate stand by a contingent of Maryland soldiers helped to stave off the British and allow the Americans to fight another day.
Learn more about these soldiers, now called the Maryland 400, and hear first-hand accounts of their actions at the battle. This talk will also discuss the lives of several soldiers from the unit, exploring them and their families during and after the Revolutionary War
Speaker’s Bio:
Owen Lourie is a senior archivist at the Maryland State Archives specializing in Maryland government and military history during the colonial era and early republic. He holds an M.A. in history from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and a B.A. from Kenyon College in American Studies. Owen is the director of Finding the Maryland 400, a research project studying the First Maryland Regiment. He is the author Finding the Maryland 400, a history of the Maryland Line, chronicling the soldiers of the Maryland 400 during the Revolutionary War, due out this summer.

The Marines Land in Sharpsburg – Keith Snyder
2026-06-08 19:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
The largest event ever to take place in Sharpsburg, after the Battle of Antietam, was in 1924 when the Marine Expeditionary Force marched to Antietam for a twelve-day training encampment. They brought aircraft, tanks, balloons, machine guns, plus their band and baseball team. On June 8, see numerous historic photos of this somewhat unknown event in the history of the park, as retired ranger, Keith Snyder presents: The Marines Land in Sharpsburg.
Keith Snyder had worked for the National Park Service since 1985 at four National Parks. He recently retired as the Chief of Resource Education and Visitor Services at Antietam National Battlefield. He is a graduate of Shepherd University and received his master’s degree from the U. S. Army War College. He retired from the United States Air Force and Air National Guard in 2016 after 40 years of service.
Come join leading historians and scholars as they discuss intriguing topics about their latest works and research on the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War during the Antietam Institute’s Civil War Summer Lecture Series. See the complete 2026 schedule.
These indoor programs are held in McKinley Hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The church is located at 209W Main Street with a small parking area off the alley. More parking is available on Main and Hall Streets. These lectures are free and open to the public. Each week, the Antietam Institute holds a drawing in which the proceeds support the Save Historic Antietam Foundation. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates and changes to the schedule.

"Ancestors at Antietam" - Lt. Samuel McBride Pringle and Garden’s Battery
2026-06-06 14:00 | Antietam Institute Education Center, 101 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782
Drawing on decades of research in original letters, diaries, and archival records, this presentation tells the story of Lieutenant Samuel McBride Pringle, set within the decisive stand of Captain Hugh R. Garden’s Palmetto Light Artillery during the Final Assault at Antietam. Under devastating Union fire across Antietam Creek, Garden’s Battery held Cemetery Hill until A. P. Hill’s arrival turned the tide. Mortally wounded, Pringle—great-great-uncle of the presenter—attempted to rise three times before being carried from the field, calling to his men, “They have killed me, boys, but stand by your guns!” Join us Saturday, June 6, as Institute member, Susie Ingles shares the story of her ancestor during her talk called, “They have killed me boys but stand by your guns!” Lt. Samuel McBride Pringle and Garden’s Battery in the Final Assault at Antietam”.
Susie Ingles is a legal aid lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina, practicing consumer protection law. She obtained a B.A. in History from Clemson University and her law degree from the University of South Carolina. She has spent many years researching and eventually writing the story of her great, great uncle, Confederate 1st Lieutenant Samuel McBride Pringle, the namesake of her father and brother, who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Antietam. She has traced his life through his original letters preserved by her family from his college years at Furman University in Greenville, through the 1st and 2nd Battles of Bull Run, and finally Antietam, where he was mortally wounded, then on to Winchester, Virginia, where he ultimately died and was laid to rest.
These monthly “Ancestors at Antietam” talks are free and open to the public – anyone may attend – and you do not need to register. The talks will be held at the Institute’s Education Center at 101W Main Street, Sharpsburg, beginning at 2 pm.

Gettysburg Surgeons: Facing a Common Enemy
2026-06-06 14:00 | National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 21701, United States
Join the National Museum of Civil War Medicine for a special First Saturday Speaker Event with Barbara Franco. She will share her findings from a 10-year project to identify the surgeons who cared for the wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg. A database of more than 1,200 surgeons, both Union and Confederate, is the basis for her new book, “Gettysburg Surgeons: Facing a Common Enemy in the Civil War’s Deadliest Battle.” The study includes not only well-documented and prominent physicians who left written accounts, but also the lesser-known surgeons who were part of a complex system of doctors and caretakers both during and after the battle.
Barbara Franco is Founding Executive Director Emerita of the Gettysburg Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center and a new board member of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. As a public historian, curator, and museum director she has written and consulted about museum practice and historical interpretation. Her broad interest in the social, cultural, and intellectual history of the 19th century includes the decorative and fine arts, communal societies, fraternal organizations, the role of religion, and the Civil War era. She served as executive director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., and Assistant Director for Museums at the Minnesota Historical Society.

All Aboard America 250
2026-06-06 11:00 | City Park Train Hub, 770 City Park Drive Hagerstown City Park, Hagerstown, MD, 21740
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with the City of Hagerstown at the Train Hub with face painting, balloons, and Tommy 202 wagon rides! Free.

Reel Reflections with AARCH Society
2026-06-06 11:00 | African American Heritage Center, 125 East All Saints St, Frederick, MD, 21701
Watch. Reflect. Discuss.
Reel Reflections is a dynamic series of film screenings followed by guided conversations that illuminate African American history, culture, and lived experiences. Come ready to engage, learn, and be inspired. This film will be “The Tale of the Lion” – a documentary featuring some of the oldest living African Americans in Frederick, MD who reveal life during segregation, the Black experience in Frederick County, life’s lessons, and human resilience.

Apples Church Bicentennial Celebration and Concert with Richard Troxell and Friends
2026-06-06 11:00 | Apples Church UCC, 7908 Apples Church Rd, Thurmont, MD, 21788
Celebrating 200 Years of Apples Church and the Community
Come join Apples Church for a day of games, stories with local “celebrities” Mayor John Kinnaird and others, food by the Thurmont Lions Club, face painting, antique cars, moon bounce, horseshoes, corn hole, church tours, a “family church photo” at 1:30, live music at 2, just some old fashioned fun and more!
Then at 6:30, bring a lawn chair or blanket and join for a beautiful outdoor summer evening concert.
Richard Troxell and Friends Concert!! On June 6 @6:30 pm. An evening of music and musicians through the years with special guests from New York, Philadelphia, Emmitsburg and Thurmont!

1776: Hager's Town at War Living History Event
2026-06-06 10:00 | Jonathan Hager House, 110 Key St, Hagerstown, MD, 21740
Commemorate the roles that the people of Washington County played in the fight for independence during the American Revolution. Meet with living historians and reenactors representing civilians, farmers, soldiers, blacksmiths, and gunsmiths during the year 1776. Featuring militia drills and 18th century musket and rifle firing demonstrations. Free.

Tolson's Chapel Open House
2026-06-06 10:00 | Tolson’s Chapel, 111 E. High St., Sharpsburg, MD, 21782
Open House 10am – 2pm.
Tolson’s Chapel is open the first Saturday of every month between April and October. Onsite docent(s) will explain the historical significance of Tolson’s Chapel from its inception in 1866 as the spiritual and educational center of a vibrant and newly freed community of African American families in Sharpsburg, MD.

14th New York State Militia in the Maryland Campaign – Jim McLean
2026-06-01 19:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 209 W Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD, 21782, United States
The Antietam Institute will be kicking off their 2026 Civil War Lecture Series on Monday, June 1st, with historian James L. McLean, Jr., telling the unique story of the 14th New York State Militia (14th Brooklyn) and the regiment’s actions in the 1862 Maryland Campaign.
The 14th New York State Militia, nicknamed the “14th Brooklyn,” “Brooklyn Chasseurs,” or “Red-legged Devils,” was a prominent Brooklyn volunteer regiment famous for its distinctive red-pants Zouave-style uniform and service in the Civil War as the 84th New York Infantry. Formed in 1847, it saw major action at First & Second Manassas and Gettysburg, earning high praise for bravery, and remained in service through later conflicts.
McLean’s interest in the Civil War, sparked at an early age on a bus trip to Gettysburg. In November 1863 (on the eve of JFK’s assassination), Jim attended his first meeting of the Baltimore Civil War Round Table at the age of 12. His interest in the Civil War has never waned. In September 1978, Jim gave a talk to the Round Table about Lysander Cutler’s brigade at Gettysburg. He had collected material on that brigade, which included the 14th New York State Militia/14th Brooklyn, ever since. Cutler’s Brigade at Gettysburg was published in 1987, revised and enlarged in 1994, and recently republished in 2023 by Savas Beatie. Jim has also published several articles in Civil War magazines. In October 2025, Savas Beatie released The 14th New York State Militia Volume I: “Baptized by Fire”—from Bull Run to Bull Run, April 1861–August 1862, of Jim’s proposed trilogy about the 14th NYSM. The book is full color throughout. It includes: 36 color maps; more than 100 photos/illustrations (many in color); over 500 pages; several appendices, one of which provides a detailed list of casualties, discharges, and desertions; footnotes at the bottom of the pages; high-quality, glossy paper; and an attractive dust jacket.
For thirty years, Jim taught high school mathematics. Much of the time, Jim also ran Butternut and Blue, a Civil War book business.
Come join leading historians and scholars as they discuss intriguing topics about their latest works and research on the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War during the Civil War Summer Lecture Series. See the complete 2026 schedule.
These indoor programs are held in McKinley Hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The church is located at 209W Main Street with a small parking area off the alley. More parking is available on Main and Hall Streets. These lectures are free and open to the public. Each week, the Antietam Institute holds a drawing in which the proceeds support the Save Historic Antietam Foundation. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates and changes to the schedule.
