Heart of the Civil War

Classic Car Battlefield Cruise
2026-09-20 10:00 (America/New_York) | South Mountain Battlefield State Park at Turner’s Gap, 6132 Old National Pike, Boonsboro, MD, 21713
Join for a unique journey through Civil War history as classic automobiles and historic landscapes come together in the Monocacy National Battlefield Classic Car Cruise. This special event celebrates automotive heritage while honoring one of the most significant Civil War sites in the region.
The cruise begins at South Mountain Battlefield, where participants will gather amid the scenic mountain passes that witnessed pivotal moments of the 1864 Valley Campaign. Following a brief welcome and orientation, drivers will depart on a carefully planned scenic route, offering sweeping views of the countryside and an enjoyable drive well-suited for classic and vintage vehicles.
The caravan will proceed eastward toward Monocacy National Battlefield, tracing roads that echo the movements of armies more than 160 years ago. Upon arrival, participants will enjoy a guided tour of Monocacy Battlefield, known as the “Battle That Saved Washington.” The tour will highlight key locations, interpretive stops, and stories that illuminate the July 1864 battle and its lasting impact on the Civil War.
This event offers a relaxed and memorable way to experience regional history—combining the elegance of classic cars, the beauty of Maryland’s landscape, and the rich stories preserved at our national battlefields. Whether you are an automotive enthusiast, a history buff, or both, the Monocacy Battlefield Classic Car Cruise promises a rewarding and unforgettable experience.
To register please contact Ranger Brian at Brian_J_Robinson@nps.gov with your name and number of participants.

One Vast Hospital - Downtown Frederick Walking Tour
2026-09-20 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-09-26 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-09-27 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.

National Public Lands Day 2026
2026-09-26 10:00 | Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center, 5201 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD, 21704, United States
Monocacy National Battlefield’s end of season public volunteering day! Join National Park Service rangers and volunteers as they work on various beautification projects and invasive species removals throughout the battlefield. This event will occur rain or shine, so please dress for the weather and be prepared to get dirty! Volunteer forms and work gloves will be provided at the Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center.

Maryland Microbrewery Festival
2026-09-26 11:00 | 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. $25 (in advance) or $30 (at the door); Non-beer sampling: $8 (in advance) or $10 (at the door); 12 years and under admitted free

Tolson's Chapel Open House
2026-10-03 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.

Inside the Farms of Monocacy
2026-10-10 09:00 | Best Farm (Tour Stop #1), Urbana Pike, Monocacy National Battlefield, Frederick, MD, 21742, United States
The Best and Worthington farms are an integral part of the history of both the Civil War and the Battle of Monocacy. Join rangers and volunteers to learn about the people who lived, worked, and fought on the farms. Visitors will also get a rare opportunity to tour the first floor of these historic structures.
Guests should meet at Best Farm, tour stop #1 on Monocacy National Battlefield at 9am on October 10, 2026. Following the tour of Best Farm and its grounds, guests will be asked to meet at Worthington Farm, tour stop #2, by 11am for a tour of Worthington Farm. Space is limited at both farms so please contact Monocacy National Battlefield via their email, mono_mail@nps.gov or by calling 301-662-3515 to make your reservation.

Elevated Architecture Double Decker Bus Tour
2026-10-11 14:00 | 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

Mason-Dixon Jeep Gathering
2026-10-18 10:00 | The Union Mills Homestead, 3311 Littlestown Pike, Westminster, MD, 21158, United States
Come out and see a large collection of Willys and Jeeps at the historic Union Mills Homestead. This is one of the largest vintage Jeep shows on the East Coast. This year is the 20th Anniversary of this annual event. See World War II and Korean War era military Jeeps and the civilian Jeeps and utility vehicles that are the grandfathers of today’s Jeeps & SUVs.
Jeeps can be entered into one of three categories at the show: Best Military Jeep, Best CJ (Civilian Jeep) and Best Non-Jeep. The non-jeep category features Willys trucks and station wagons. Everyone in attendance will vote on each of the three categories to name the winners.
Tours of the Historic house and Mill available for a small fee from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, with the last tour starting at 3:00 pm. Food and drink will be available to purchase on site.

"Ancestors at Antietam" - Dr. James Maddox, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, and the Woodley Farm
2026-11-07 14:00 | St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 18313 Lappans Road, Boonsboro, MD, 21713
The Antietam Institute will wrap up their “Ancestors at Antietam” programs on November 7, with a special tour of the historic St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and the Woodley Farm. The program was arranged by Saida Russell and Rev. Dr. Brandt L. Montgomery.
Saida and her family own Woodley Farm which is on Sharpsburg Pike and just down a dirt lane from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Lappans. Dr. Thomas J. Maddox, her great-great-great grandfather, was one of the founding fathers of the church. Woodley Farm has been in the family since before the Civil War and holds a protective agricultural easement with the state of Maryland.
Nestled in the scenic countryside at Lappans Crossroads, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church stands as a significant landmark, recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. The church has been in continual use since its construction in 1849, a testament to the vision of the leadership of Saint James School, who sought to provide worship services for the local faithful community. James Maddox, a respected physician and early church leader, played a pivotal role by donating an acre of land for the church’s construction.
The building was completed in just four months at a total cost of $1,385. Constructed from native limestone—a practical and locally favored material in Washington County—the church’s architecture embodies the influence of religious movements that advocated for a revival of the Gothic style within Anglican and Episcopal churches. This architectural choice reflected a broader movement to renew traditional religious practices.
The church features impressive 17-foot walls, a pitched gabled roof with a portico, and a steeple that commands attention. Inside, many of the original furnishings remain intact, including a gallery that was specifically intended for enslaved worshippers. This gallery is still accessible to visitors, offering a tangible connection to the church’s historical narrative. The interior is further distinguished by a soaring ceiling supported by Gothic-arched framing. The picturesque setting of St. Mark’s is enhanced by a stone wall that now encloses both the church and its cemetery. As a parish, St. Mark’s is committed to uplifting African American stories that are integral to its history. During the Civil War, the church served a crucial role, especially in the aftermath of the 1862 Battle of Antietam and the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, when it became a sanctuary for the wounded—many of whom received care from Dr. Maddox.
Read more about the guest speakers, Rev. Dr. Brandt L. Montgomery and Saida Alexander Russell on the Institute’s webpage. These monthly “Ancestors at Antietam” talks are free and open to the public – anyone may attend – and you do not need to register. This final program will be held at St. Mark’s at 18313 Lappans Road Boonsboro, Maryland 21713, beginning at 2 pm. Turn right at the Parish House and continue towards the back of the campus for a large parking lot.

Christkindlmarkt
2026-11-21 10:00 | The Union Mills Homestead, 3311 Littlestown Pike, Westminster, MD, 21158, United States
Come and join the Union Mills Homestead for a German-style Christmas market. Food and drinks will be available to purchase, along with a variety of hand-crafted and unique gifts from vendors in the Grist Mill and Tannery. The gift shop will be open for your holiday shopping as will the blacksmith and woodworking shops.
A portion of the historic Homestead will be decorated and open for you to visit. Parking is onsite, $5 per vehicle. Buses are extra, please call for details! Enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season at Union Mills, celebrating our German heritage!

Christmas by Candlelight at Tolson's Chapel
2026-12-12 16:30 | Tolson’s Chapel, 111 E. High St., Sharpsburg, MD, 21782
Community celebration at the historic Tolson’s Chapel, offering a cozy, nostalgic evening of traditional carols, holiday reflections, and a candlelit service in a preserved 1866 setting.
