Historic Downtown Frederick, MD
New Visitor Center now open
April 2, 2011 marked the grand opening of the Frederick Visitor Center in its new location at 151 S. East Street, Frederick, MD. The celebration included a ribbon cutting for the new center followed by a dedication of the Frederick County History Bell. The bell rang at 10 a.m. for the first time in its new location to kick off Bell & History Day, which marks the beginning of the museum season.
On Frederick County Bell & History Day, April 2, 2011, the Tourism Council of Frederick County rang in a new era with the grand opening of the Frederick Visitor Center along the new East Street gateway into Frederick City. Visitors and community members attended the ribbon cutting for the Frederick Visitor Center, followed by a dedication of the Frederick County History Bell and bell ringing at 10 a.m. to kick off Bell & History Day. The new Frederick Visitor Center is located at 151 S. East Street, Frederick, MD.
"April 2 marked a double celebration with both the opening of the new Frederick Visitor Center and the kickoff of the 2011 museum season with Bell and History Day," says John Fieseler, Executive Director for the Tourism Council. Bell and History Day traditionally starts with bells ringing across the county at 10 a.m., followed by complimentary admission, special exhibits, living history and interactive activities at participating Frederick County museums and historic sites.
This year, the day's celebration kicked off with a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Frederick Visitor Center at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Frederick County History Bell dedication. The bell took its place at the new Frederick Visitor Center and rang for the first time in its new home to kick off the day's festivities at 10 a.m. The 250-lb bell was cast exactly 5 years to the day in April 2006, and is dedicated to the memory of Judge Edward S. Delaplaine, whose efforts helped to preserve Frederick County history. The Frederick Visitor Center is now open from 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
"Celebrating both the opening of the museum season and our new Visitor Center alongside each other is a once in a lifetime opportunity," says Fieseler. The new Frederick Visitor Center facility boasts an award-winning orientation film and 2200-square foot exhibit area that interprets and promotes all Frederick County has to offer. In addition to maps, brochures, and displays highlighting regional attractions and amenities, the new center will have better restroom facilities and more easily accommodate bus groups.
The new Frederick Visitor Center is on the site of the former Frederick Spoke Factory, which was in active production at the end of the 19th century. "The site capitalizes on Frederick's location at the hub of a network of highways that fan out like the spokes of a wheel, connecting many of Frederick County's attractions and natural and cultural resources," explains Fieseler. Design elements in the building and exhibits also echo this theme.
"With its new amenities and interpretive exhibits, the new Frederick Visitor Center will encourage visitors to view the area as a destination that warrants a longer stay just to discover all the area has to offer," says Fieseler.
Detailed information about the rehabilitation process of the new Frederick Visitor Center can be found at http://frederickvisitorcenter.blogspot.com/ or you can download the project description and details on the Visitor Center Project.
On Frederick County Bell & History Day, April 2, 2011, the Tourism Council of Frederick County rang in a new era with the grand opening of the Frederick Visitor Center along the new East Street gateway into Frederick City. Visitors and community members attended the ribbon cutting for the Frederick Visitor Center, followed by a dedication of the Frederick County History Bell and bell ringing at 10 a.m. to kick off Bell & History Day. The new Frederick Visitor Center is located at 151 S. East Street, Frederick, MD. "April 2 marked a double celebration with both the opening of the new Frederick Visitor Center and the kickoff of the 2011 museum season with Bell and History Day," says John Fieseler, Executive Director for the Tourism Council. Bell and History Day traditionally starts with bells ringing across the county at 10 a.m., followed by complimentary admission, special exhibits, living history and interactive activities at participating Frederick County museums and historic sites.
This year, the day's celebration kicked off with a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Frederick Visitor Center at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Frederick County History Bell dedication. The bell took its place at the new Frederick Visitor Center and rang for the first time in its new home to kick off the day's festivities at 10 a.m. The 250-lb bell was cast exactly 5 years to the day in April 2006, and is dedicated to the memory of Judge Edward S. Delaplaine, whose efforts helped to preserve Frederick County history. The Frederick Visitor Center is now open from 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
"Celebrating both the opening of the museum season and our new Visitor Center alongside each other is a once in a lifetime opportunity," says Fieseler. The new Frederick Visitor Center facility boasts an award-winning orientation film and 2200-square foot exhibit area that interprets and promotes all Frederick County has to offer. In addition to maps, brochures, and displays highlighting regional attractions and amenities, the new center will have better restroom facilities and more easily accommodate bus groups.
The new Frederick Visitor Center is on the site of the former Frederick Spoke Factory, which was in active production at the end of the 19th century. "The site capitalizes on Frederick's location at the hub of a network of highways that fan out like the spokes of a wheel, connecting many of Frederick County's attractions and natural and cultural resources," explains Fieseler. Design elements in the building and exhibits also echo this theme.
"With its new amenities and interpretive exhibits, the new Frederick Visitor Center will encourage visitors to view the area as a destination that warrants a longer stay just to discover all the area has to offer," says Fieseler.
Detailed information about the rehabilitation process of the new Frederick Visitor Center can be found at http://frederickvisitorcenter.blogspot.com/ or you can download the project description and details on the Visitor Center Project.
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