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
Website |

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…

Visit the Antietam National Battlefield - Civil War History Washington County

Antietam National Cemetery Museum

PO Box 158 (Rt 65)
Sharpsburg, MD 21782
P: 301-432-5124
Website |

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…

Visit the Antietam National Cemetery - Civil War History near Hagerstown MD

Battle of Falling Waters 1863 Foundation

Williamsport, MD 21795
Website |

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…

Hagerstown and Washington County Tourism - Battle of Falling Waters 1863 Foundation

Beaver Creek School Museum

9702 Beaver Creek Church Road
Hagerstown, MD 21740

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.

Beaver Creek School Museum - Fun things to do- Hagerstown MD

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.

Washington County attractions and tours - Boonsboro Trolley Museum

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…

Boonsboro Museum of History - guided tours near Hagerstown MD

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…

Hagerstown Tourism and activities - Bowman House

City Park Train Hub

770 City Park Drive
Hagerstown, MD 21740
P: 301-739-8577, ext. 170
Website |

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…

Hagerstown MD tourism - Hagerstown Railroad Museum and engine 202

Conococheague Institute Museum and Library

12995 Bain Rd.
Mercersburg, PA 17236
P: 717-328-3467
Website |

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…

Attractions near Hagerstown Md - Conococheague Institute Museum and Library

Dahlgren Chapel

Rt. 40A at Washington Monument Rd., Old National Pike in Frederick County.
Middletown, MD 21769
P: 301-371-7090
Website |

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…

Hagerstown wedding venues -Dahlgren Chapel

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…

Washington County recreational parks - Fort Frederick State Park

Gathland State Park Museum

900 Arnoldstown Rd.
Boonsboro, MD
P: 301-791-4767
Website |

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…

Gathland State Park Museum - what to do near Hagerstown MD

Hagerstown Aviation Museum

18450 Showalter Rd., Building 8
Hagerstown, MD 21742
P: (301) 733-8717
Website |

Get ready for an adventure in aviation history! See 25 historic aircraft along with exhibits and displays spanning more than a century of aviation in Hagerstown, Maryland. Immerse yourself in…

Hagerstown Aviation Museum - attractions and activities in Washington County

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
Website |

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…

Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area - History and Landmarks near Washington County

Historic Fort Ritchie

25009 Lake Wastler Drive
Cascade, MD 21719
P: 301-241-2231
Website |

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…

Kennedy Farm - Civil War history - Washington County

Jonathan Hager House Museum

110 Key St.
Hagerstown, MD 21740
P: 301-739-8393
Website |

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
Website |

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…

Miller House Museum - Fun and free things to do in Hagerstown MD

National Museum of Civil War Medicine

48 E. Patrick Street, PO Box 470
Frederick, MD 21705
P: 301-695-1864
Website |

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
Website |

The historic Newcomer House at Antietam National Battlefield is the site of the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area Exhibit and Visitor Center

Newcomer House and Visitor Center - Washington County

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.

Plumb Grove Mansion - Hagerstown tourist attractions in Washington County

Pry House Field Hospital Museum

18906 Shepherdstown Pike
Sharpsburg, MD 21782
P: 301-416-2395
Website |

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
Website |

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…

visit Rose Hill Cemetery of Hagerstown MD

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.

Smithsburg Town Museum - Washingotn County tourism

South Mountain State Battlefield

6620 Zittlestown Road
Boonsboro, MD 21713
P: 301-791-4767
Website |

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
Website |

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
Website |

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
Website |

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…

Tolson's Chapel - American Heritage site near Hagerstown MD

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 Association of Museums and Historical Sites - Civil War site in Washington County

Washington County Historical Society

135 West Washington St.
Hagerstown, MD 21740
P: 301-797-8782
Website |

The mission of the Washington County Historical Society is to develop an interest in and preserve the history of Washington County, Maryland. Through educational programming, exhibits, lectures, family workshops, and…

Washington County Historical Society - hagerstown tourist attractions

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 County Rural Heritage Museum - tourism and attractions

Washington Monument State Park

6620 Zittlestown Rd.
Boonsboro, MD 21713
P: 301-791-4767
Website |

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…

Washington Monument State Park - activites and fun things to do

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.

Williamsport Town Museum and Springfield Barn - recreational site near Hagerstown MD

Wilson Store

14921 Rufus Wilson Rd.
Clear Spring, MD 21722
P: 301-582-4718
Website |

Come take a walk back in time at Wilson Store. Featuring many items, including cheeses, bologna, candy galore, home décor, gifts, antiques, local artisans’ items, Amish foods. A true treasure…