Maryland History Museums

Allegany County Museum

Devoted to the history of Cumberland, Allegany County and the Western Maryland region, the museum features exhibits of historical artifacts, industrial archives, photographs and research publications. Located at 81 Baltimore Street, in the heart of the Historic Downtown Mall, in Cumberland, MD.

Canal Place Heritage Area   [History]

Centered around the C&O Canal, it is Maryland's first certified heritage area.  Located on Canal Street in Cumberland, MD.

F. Brooke Whiting Museum

This 1911 bungalow was built for the prominent Brook Whiting family of Cumberland, MD.  Filled with antique furnishings and art, the home is located at 632 Washington Street in Cumberland.

Frostburg Museum   [Genealogy]

Housed in the 1899 Hill Street School building, the museum promotes and displays historical artifacts and documents related to the early history of Frostburg.  Located at the corner of Hill & Oak in Frostburg, MD.

Gordon Roberts House   [Interactive Tour]

Step back into the late 1800s when you visit this 1867 Second Empire style home.  Built for Judge Josiah Gordon and later occupied by the W. Milner Roberts family, the home is now a museum offering 3 floors of period furnishings and artifacts.  Located at 218 Washington Street in Cumberland, MD.

Thrasher Carriage Museum

A large collection of horse drawn vehicles has been gathered in a 19th century warehouse.  Note: this collection is being moved to the Queen City Transportation Museum at 210 S. Centre Street in Cumberland, MD and will be opened in September 2007.

Banneker Douglass Museum - African American Heritage

Dedicated to preserving Maryland's African American heritage, the museum offers many artifacts, historical documents and photographs related to black life in Maryland.  Located in the old Mount Moriah A. M. E. Church at 84 Franklin Street n Annapolis, MD.

Captain Salem Avery House Museum

The Chesapeake Bay Waterman's Museum is operated by the Shady Side Rural Heritage Society.  Exhibits include photos, story boards, and artifacts from a time when the building was used as a Masonic Fishing and Country Club.  Also on the museum site is the Ethel Andrews Memorial Library featuring a collection of historic materials related to South County and Shady Side families and businesses in particular.  Located at 1418 East West Shady Side Road in Shady Side, MD.

Hammond-Harwood House 1774   [Virtual Tour]

Built in 1774 for Matthias Hammond, a wealthy tobacco planter, this beautiful colonial home may be toured and contains period furnishings.  Located at 19 Maryland Avenue in Annapolis, MD.

Hancock's Resolution

[Hancock Family]  [Photos]

Built by Stephen Hancock Jr. in the 1780s, this stone building was used during the War of 1812 and owned by the Hancock family until 1962.  Today, the farm is used as a museum to depict life on a market farm during the early 1800s.  Located at 2795 Bayside Beach Road in Pasadena, MD.

Historic Annapolis City Dock Webcam

Historic Londontown & Gardens

The park is 23 acres and is the site of historic London Town.

Maynard Burgess House

Built sometime around the 1850s by John Maynard, a free African American man, the house has been the site of extensive archaeological digs which have uncovered many interesting historical artifacts.  Not open to the public.  Located at 163 Duke of Gloucester Street in Annapolis, MD.

Shiplap House

Erected in 1715, this is one of the oldest buildings still standing in Annapolis.  Home to Edward Smith, it is named Shiplap House due to the way the siding is applied as in shipbuilding.  The home was used as an inn, tavern and other business.  Today, the Historic Annapolis Foundation utilizes the house for offices and there are exhibits related to the maritime history along with the recreation of the tavern.  Located at 18 Pinkney Street in Annaopolis, MD. 

William Brown House

William Paca House & Gardens  [Archaeology and Restoration]

Built for William Paca (signer of the Declaration of Independence) between 1763 and 1765, the Georgian home is furnished with beautiful antiques and arts and features a lovely 2 acre garden.

Babe Ruth Birthplace and Orioles Museum

Baltimore American Indian Center

Baltimore Civil War Museum

Housed inside an 1849 train station, the museum is focused on the role of Maryland in the Civil War and how this train station was utilized in the escape of African slaves through the Underground Railroad.  Location is 601 President Street in Baltimore, MD.

Baltimore Maritime Museum

Baltimore Streetcar Museum

Devoted to the history of streetcars in Baltimore, the museum offers unlimited rides on original Baltimore streetcars and the presentation of exhibits and films related to these grand old streetcars.  Located at 1901 Falls Road in Baltimore, MD.

Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum  [Photo]

Fort McHenry National Monument and Shrine

Geppi's Entertainment Museum

A 17,000 square foot pop culture museum located on the second and third floors of historic Camden Station at Camden Yards in downtown Baltimore, MD, just a few blocks away from the city’s famed Inner Harbor. Stephen A. Geppi, founder of Diamond Comic Distributors (the largest English-language comic book distributor in the world), publisher of Baltimore Magazine, and part-owner of the Baltimore Orioles, presents this unique exhibition of Americana and comic character collectibles spanning the 1700s to the present day. The museum exhibits nearly 8,000 pop culture artifacts including comics, toys, dolls, games and memorabilia of every conceivable category, all presented in an exhibition that entertains as well as educates visitors about the role of pop culture in our lives. Located in the Camden Yards at 301 W. Camden Street in Baltimore, MD.

Great Blacks in Wax Museum

Dedicated to the study of African American history, this unique museum features wax figures of historical black Americans.  Location is 1601-03 East North Avenue in Baltimore, MD.

Historic Houses of Hopkins

Irish Shrine at Lemmon Street

Jewish History Museum of Maryland  [Collections Database]

Maryland Historical Society Museum

Focused on the rich heritage of Maryland, the museum features 18th and 19th century paintings, historical artifacts, antiques, and household items used in everyday life by early settlers.  Next to the entrance is Monument Street Garden.  The lovely garden has been on this site for over 150 years and includes fragments from old demolished Baltimore buildings.  Located at 201 W. Monument Street in Baltimore, MD.

Mother Seton House

Mount Clare Museum House   [History]

Old Otterbein Church  [History]

First constructed in 1771, the chapel was organized by members of the First German Reformed Church.  The present day church was built in 1785, making it the oldest church in continuous use in Baltimore.  Still open for Sunday worship services.  Tours are offered on weekdays.  Located next to the Baltimore Convention Center, the Church is at the corner of Sharp and Conway Streets in Baltimore, MD.

Robert Long House

Star Bangled Banner Flag House & Museum

Catonsville Historical Soc. - Townsend House & Pullen Museum

[Online Tour]

The Townsend House features an 18th century floor plan and is filled with antiques along with collections of historic artifacts.  Next door, inside what was previously the decorator workshop of Mrs. Townsend who was an antique dealer, is now the Pullen Museum which features Catonsville memorabilia and a small Genealogy Library where researchers will find genealogical information.  Located at 1824 Frederick Road in Catonsville, MD.

Fire Museum of Maryland

Learn about the history of fire fighting and the 1904 Baltimore fire.  Exhibits include antique fire apparatus and memorabilia. even a hands on discovery room where you can actually get on a 1938 mack firetruck!

Hampton National Historic Site

Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum

Used as a train station from the late 1800s and early 1900s to bring people to the resort town of Chesapeake Beach, the depot closed in 1935 and now houses a museum offering insight into the history of the Chesapeake Beach area.

Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum

Choptank River Heritage Center &

Joppa Wharf Museum

Housed inside an historic schooner and steamboat warehouse at Joppa Steamboat Wharf, the heritage center strives to preserve and interpret the history and development of the the Choptank River and the early river people who lived there.   Located at 10215 River Landing Road in West Denton, MD.

Carroll County Farm Museum

Guided tours and interpretation will bring the farm life of 1800s Maryland to life.  The farm  features original farm structures including the 1852 farmhouse, a bank barn, a smokehouse, a broom shop, saddlery, springhouse, general store, one-room schoolhouse, wagon shed and a living history center complete with artifacts, period furnishings and farming implements.  Located at 500 South Center Street in Westminster, MD.

Strawbridge Shrine

Union Mills Homestead and Grist Mill   [Photos]

Mount Harmon Plantation in 1974

Historic Rodgers Tavern

Mount Harmon Plantation  

[History]   [Photo Gallery]

A tobacco plantation home built ca 1730, it was home to Godfrey Harmon, who had received a land grant of 350 acres in 1651.  Today the home has been preserved and restored.  Tours are offered in the summer months and weddings are performed on the grounds.  Situated on 290 acres, the entire plantation is a nature preserve.  Mount Harmon Plantation is located in Earleville, MD.

Port Deposit's Paw Paw Heritage Museum   [History]

Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum

Located at 3725 Dr. Samuel Mudd Road in Waldorf, MD.

Piscataway Indian Museum 

Visitors will discover the history and culture of the Piscataway and other native peoples of the United States through exhibits, and historic artifacts.  The Piscataway Trading Post offers native arts and crafts for purchase.  Located at 16816 Country Lane in Waldorf, MD.

Smallwood State Park Retreat House

Originally known as Mattawoman Plantation, the home was built in 1760 by tobacco farmer William Smallwood.  The historic home has been restored and features period furnishings.  Tours are offered by costumed docents.  Located inside Smallwood Sate Park.  Smallwood State Park is at 2750 Sweden Point Road in Marbury, MD.

Thomas Stone National Historic Site

Monocacy National Battlefield

National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Garrett County Historical Society & Museum

Providing a glimpse into the heritage of the Deep Creek Lake area, the museum features historical artifacts related to the history of Garrett County.  The society also houses a research library filled with family histories, historic photographs and documents.  Located inside Dailey's Park at 107 S. Second Street in Oakland, MD.

Spruce Forest Artisan Village

Aberdeen Room Archives and Museum

Rock Run Grist Mill at Susquehanna State Park

This is one of several restored historical buildings at Susquehanna State Park.  The 3 story, water-powered mill was built in 1794 by John Stump and is fully operational today.  Demonstrations are held in the summer months and visitors may receive a free bag of ground corn.  Other buildings in the vicinity are The Toll House, Rock Run miller's house, Rock Run House, a 14 room stone mansion built in 1804 by John Carter.  All of this and more are located inside the park  which is located at 3318 Rocks Chrome Hill Road in Jarrettsville, MD.

Stepping Stone Museum

Living History - Preserves and demonstrates rural arts and crafts from the 1880-1920 time period.

Susquehanna Museum of Havre de Grace at the Lock House

Historic Savage Mill

Built in 1822, this was a textile mill.  Today, visitors will find this enormous mill is full of antique shops, artist studios, restaurants and specialty shops.  Basically, a place for history, shopping and food, Savage Mill is located at 8600 Foundry Street in Savage, MD.

Geddes Piper House

This historical home, located in Chestertown, houses the Kent Historical Society and offers materials for genealogy research of the area.  Located at 101 Church Alley in Chestertown, MD.

Historic Houses of Kent County

Kent County Museum
Located in Kennedyville, this history museum is devoted to the rural history of Kent County.

Rock Hall Museum  [1876 map of Rock Hall and business guide]

Tolchester Beach Revisited

Learn about this 1877 amusement park / resort which at one time featured a grand hotel, a dance hall, bowling alleys, a bingo parlor, a roller skating rink, a miniature steam train, pony and goat  carts, boat rides, concessions and kewpie dolls.  Serving the Chesapeake Bay area for 85 years, there were steamers running day and night, and even a ferry bringing visitors to play at this well-known resort.  Located on Main Street in Rock Hall, MD.

The Waterman's Museum

Beall - Dawson House   [Virtual Tour]

This historic home built in 1815 is located in Rockville, Maryland.  Today it depicts the daily life of an upper class family and the slaves in Montgomery County along with information about the early history of Montgomery County.

Clara Barton National Historic Site

Sandy Spring Museum

Seneca Schoolhouse Museum

Experience a typical school day in 1880.  School classes are welcome.  Contact them to learn more.  The museum is operated by the Historic Medley District Inc. and is located in Poolesville, MD.

Stone Street Museum of 19th Century Medicine

Visit an 1852 Doctor's office at this museum which offers the history of developments in medical science which occurred during the career of Dr. Edward E. Stonestreet. 

The Waters House

This historic home in Germantown, houses a special collections library which includes many historical documents and photos of Montgomery County.  This History Resource Center is a great place to conduct Maryland genealogy research.

Belair Mansion and City of Bowie Museums

Belair Mansion ca 1745 is a lovely Georgian plantation house, once owned by Samuel Ogle, provincial Governor of Maryland.  The mansion still contains some original furnishings and paintings.  Open for public tours, it is located at 12207 Tulip Grove Drive in Bowie, MD.

Prince George's County Genealogical Library houses a large collection of genealogy materials to help genealogists discover their heritage.  It is right down the road from the Belair Mansion at 12219 Tulip Grove Drive.

The city of Bowie offers several other historic sites and museums to allow the visitor to soak up some local history.  The Old Town Welcome Center and interactive Children's Museum is located at 8606 Chestnut Avenue.

• The Belair Stable Museum was one of the premier racing stables from 1930-1950 and home to "Gallant Fox" and "Omaha", both, horses who won the Triple Crown along with another famed racehorse "Nashua" .  Closed in 1957 it is now a museum and offers over 250 years of history.  Located at 2835 Belair Drive.

• Bowie Railroad Station and Huntington Museum: This 1900s railroad station is home to a museum detailing the early days of the railroad in Bowie.  Located in historic Old Bowie at 8614 Chestnut Avenue.

• Radio and Television Museum: Devoted to broadcasting history, from the earliest telegraphs through the development of television.  Housed in the old 1906 Harmel House at 2606 Mitchelville Road.

Fort Washington Museum and Park

Laurel Museum

The museum is focused on the rich heritage of Laurel, Maryland, an historic town situated on the Patuxent River.  Tours are offered along with the John Calder Brennan Research Library which is available by appointment.  Located at 817 Main Street in Laurel, MD.

Marietta Mansion

Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm

Experience living history at Oxon Cove Park, where you can learn what farm life was like in the 19th century.  Several historic structures are located inside the park.  A farmhouse is the oldest building.  Known as Mount Welby in the early 1800s, and later as Godding Croft, it is a 2 story plantation house once owned by the Debutts family.  Berry Plantation is another historic structure in the park and is known for it's role in the Underground Railroad.  Located on MD 414 (Oxon Hill Road) at 6411 Oxon Hill Rd. in Oxon Hill, MD.

Poplar Hill on His Lordship's Kindness  

[African American History]

Riversdale House Museum 

[Photo Tour]   [History]

Riversdale, a National Historic Landmark, is a restored, five-part, stucco-covered brick plantation home built between 1801 and 1807. Construction of this elegant manor house was begun by Henri Stier, a Flemish aristocrat, and was completed by his daughter Rosalie and her husband George Calvert, grandson of the fifth Lord Baltimore. The Federal style mansion has particularly fine interior decorative detail. Numerous nationally significant figures later lived here. Riversdale is also home to a museum shop.  Visit at 4811 Riverdale Road in Riverdale Park, MD.

Surratt House Museum

Located in Centreville, Maryland, this Museum includes early artifacts, antique farm implements, Indian artifacts and early buildings such as a blacksmith shop and old print shop. Focus is on early agricultural and maritime activities, promoting appreciation of the region's cultural and natural heritage.

Queenstown Colonial Courthouse

Located in Queenstown, this colonial courthouse is dated to 1708.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church

Attend church services in the oldest intact brick church in Maryland. Located in Church Hill, Maryland, this historic church was built in 1732. Also located on the grounds is a small 1817 building once used as a parish academy school.

Stevensville Historic Town

Located on Kent Island, Stevensville has many structures on the National Historic Register including a post office, train depot, the Old Christ Church and Cray House which was built ca 1809.

Free Brochure and Guide Map for Queen Anne's County Historical Sites

Gov. J. Millard Tawes Historical Museum

Smith Island Center

Drayden African-American Schoolhouse

Located on Cherryfield Road, this historic building is being preserved by St. Mary's County but not yet open to the public.

Historic St. Mary's City

[Virtual Tour]   [History]

Known as the 4th permanent British settlement in the "New World", the city was the first capital of Maryland.  Featured are living history exhibits, archaeology discoveries and paths back into the past..... as far back as the 1600s.  Located off Route 5 in Southern Maryland.

Little Red Schoolhouse

Also known as Charlotte Hall School, this early 19th century schoolhouse is located on the grounds of the St. Clement's Island - Potomac River Museum in Colton's Point, MD and is open during museum hours.

Piney Point Lighthouse Museum and Park

Focuses on the construction, history and operation of the lighthouse. This was a working lighthouse from 1836 to 1964. Visit their site for more information, a list of lighthouse keepers 1835 to 1933 and driving directions.

Potomac River Maritime Exhibit

This museum houses 4 historic wooden vessels.

Sotterley Plantation  

[History]  [Photo Gallery]

This early 18th century mansion is older than the United States.  Set on 95 acres with a full array of outbuildings, gardens and even an original slave cabin, the museum gives it's visitors a taste of what life was like near the time of the birth of our nation.  Located at 44300 Sotterly Lane in Hollywood, MD off or Route 245.

St. Clements Island State Park

Considered the "Birthplace of Maryland", you will find your way here only by boat. Boat rides to the island are offered at the St. Clement's Island - Potomac River Museum.  The museum concentrates on English history which preceded the English voyage of the Ark and the Dove, landing on St. Clements Island on March 25, 1634. The island is a 40 acre park with a memorial cross dedicated to the founders of Maryland.
Get a free brochure on St. Clements Island in PDF format.

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

The Oxford Musuem

Dedicated to the preservation and display of over 300 years of Oxford's history, the museum is in the center of historic Oxford at 100 South Morris Street, just across from Town Park.

St. Michael's Museum at St. Mary's Square

The main building was built by Jeremiah Sewell in 1865.  Located on Mill Street.

Wye Grist Mill

Located in Wye Mills, Maryland and built ca 1682, you can still purchase flour from this working colonial grist mill and receive a tour of this grand old flour mill.

Pemberton Park

This large 262 acre park features Pemberton Hall.  Built by Isaac Hardy in 1741, the plantation has been restored and provides exhibits of historical items related to the history of Wicomico County.  Located about 2.5 miles west of US Business Route 50 in Salisbury, MD.

Museums of Worcester County

Ocean City Life - Saving Station Museum

Museum Index for Other States

Maryland Census Records