Historic Downtown Frederick, MD
Catholic Heritage Tour
Frederick County, Maryland
Three Days and Two Nights
The very roots of religious tolerance can be traced to Maryland, so it's no wonder Frederick County is home to a variety of religions and historic houses of worship. Frederick city's picturesque cluster of church steeples was distinguished in John Greeleaf Whittier's poem, The Ballad of Barbara Fritchie. He wrote, "The clustered spires of Frederick stand, Green-walled by the hills of Maryland." Frederick's earliest English settlers soon established Catholic churches in their communities, with one of the first churches, St. John's, consecrated in 1837. Frederick County has been welcoming travelers to experience the charm and hospitality of our area since 1745. Today, we invite your group to join us on a tour sure to inspire.
Day One
Arrival at the NATIONAL SHRINE OF ELIZABETH ANN SETON for a tour of the home of the first American born Saint. Self-guided tours of the grounds include a video presentation depicting Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton's life and accomplishments, a tour of the original 1750's farmhouse and the colonial style "White House" (built in 1809) that served as her home. Nestled in the glorious foothills of the Catoctin Mountains, this site is a must see for any religious heritage group.
At the GROTTO OF LOURDES your group will tour the oldest replica of The Grotto of Lourdes in the Western Hemisphere. It is a peaceful place to relax.
Day Two
Tour Frederick County's three historic COVERED BRIDGES. You'll get a beautiful view of rolling countryside brightened with the beautiful colors of autumn. Then you'll hear the history of the CATOCTIN FURNACE. Picturesque country churches, rolling hills and a healthy dose of scenic parkland will complete the tour.
You will stop at the CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN ORCHARD for some fresh-picked apples and local produce.
Sit back and take in the view from the motorcoach as the guide tells the stories of our town. From our famous "clustered spires," to notable Federal-style architecture, this tour offers a tranquil way to enjoy your Frederick County experience. With just the right mix of historical vision complemented by homespun local lore, these tours are guaranteed to make Frederick's colorful past come alive for your group. Your tour will include a stop at the nationally acclaimed Community Bridge Mural, where an artist has transformed a plain concrete bridge into a permanent illusion of an old stone and ivy covered bridge… a must see!
At the HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF FREDERICK COUNTY, docents will lead your group on a tour of this 1820's Federal-style mansion, which maintains a unique collection of furnishings, art and memorabilia from Frederick's past. Enjoy a delicious meal and show at TOBY'S DINNER THEATRE in nearby Columbia, Maryland.
Day Three
At SCHIFFERSTADT ARCHITECTURAL MUSEUM, your group will tour a wonderful old stone manor house. Built in 1756, Schifferstadt provides a window into life in the 1750's and maintains much of its original exposed oak beams and hardware. A historically accurate 18th century garden completes the story of everyday farm life.
At the NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CIVIL WAR MEDICINE, your group will hear the dramatic stories of the War along with the developments that set medicine on a path toward the modern era. From recruitment, to life in camp, to the road to recovery, your group will hear the personal stories of a soldier's life during the Civil War. Your day ends with a tour, tasting and a lesson on winemaking at one of six wineries located on the FREDERICK WINE TRAIL. Each member of your group gets a free wine glass to remember the tour!
Please contact the following for tour prices and schedules:
- National Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton
(301) 447-6606 www.setonshrine.org - Grotto of the Lourdes - no charge, donations encouraged
- Covered bridges tour, contact the Tourism Council of Frederick County (301) 600-4050
- Catoctin Mountain Furnace - no charge, interpritive markers
- Catoctin Mountain Orchard
- Historical Society of Frederick County
(301) 663-1188 www.hsfcinfo.org - Schifferstadt Architectural Museum
(301) 663-3885 - National Museum of Civil War Medicine- Driver & escort comp'ed.
(301) 695-1864 www.civilwarmed.org - Frederick Wine Trail
Hotels & Restuarnats to choose from
For a complete listing of hotels & restaurants in the area, please refer to the online Destination Frederick County Guide. Most hotel group rates range from $69-$129, based on double occupancy.
Catoctin Mt. Nat'l Scenic Byway
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Historic Sites Consortium
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