Historic Downtown Frederick, MD
Bell & History
Bell & History Day Kicks Off Multiple Celebrations & Commemorations
Bell & History Day, set for April 2, 2011, traditionally kicks off the museum season in Frederick County. This year, it also celebrates the opening of the new Frederick Visitor Center, which is the new home of the Frederick County History Bell. In addition to free entry and activities at over 20 museums and historic sites, for the first time sites throughout the county will host the Bells of Remembrance, an interactive September 11 Memorial. The celebration concludes on Sunday with a free Bell & History Handbell Festival.
Program Guide with site details & activities (PDF)
On Frederick County Bell & History Day, April 2, 2011, the Tourism Council of Frederick County will ring in the opening of museum season and the grand opening of the new Frederick Visitor Center. Visitors and community members are invited to attend the 9:30 a.m. 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. At this time, bells will ring across the county in unison to kickoff the event. The new Frederick Visitor Center is located along the new East Street gateway into Frederick City at 151 S. East Street.
"The Frederick County History Bell will take its place at the new Frederick Visitor Center and ring for the first time in its new home to kick off the day's festivities at 10 a.m.," says Liz Shatto, Historic Sites Coordinator. 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. "Traditionally, Bell & History Day kicks off with a county-wide ringing of bells to open the museum season and the day offers living history, special exhibits and activities, and complimentary activities at participating museums and historic sites," says Shatto. Program features this year include
- FREE Guided Trolley Tours depart the Frederick Visitor Center on the hour at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. The tours last about 40 minutes. The free, timed-tickets are available at the Visitor Center reception desk on the day of the event.
- Catoctin Mountain Park celebrates its 75th Anniversary. Become a spy at Camp Greentop where OSS (Office of Strategic Services) agents once trained. Follow encrypted clues to find the "bell."
- Take a ranger-led hike from the Manor Area Visitor Center to the Historic Catoctin Iron Furnace.
- Learn how to load cannon at Gathland State Park, with the South Mountain Artillery Detachment as they portray Battery A, First Maryland Artillery.
- See fascinating antique fire apparatus at the brand new Frederick County Fire and Rescue Museum and learn about the National Fire Heritage Center in Emmitsburg.
- Challenge your skills of observation with several scavenger hunts at different historic locations.
- Make some take home crafts, or cards to send to soldiers currently serving our country.
The Passport to History program encourages event-goers to collect passport stamps at each location visited. Participants receive a souvenir bell and a chance for a grand prize. Passports will be available in early March at the Frederick Visitor Center, either the current location at 19 E. Church Street in Frederick, or the new location at 151 S. East Street in Frederick (after March 28).
New this year, Frederick County will host the Bells of Remembrance Project on Bell & History Day. Visitors are encouraged to ring these bells! "The Bells of Remembrance are an interactive memorial for those that died on September 11, 2001, and we're pleased to have them as a part of our program this year," explains Lori Paddy, Visitor Services Manager for the Frederick Visitor Center and coordinator of the Bells of Remembrance in Frederick County. These large, historic instruments have been to parades, festivals and memorial events, including ground-zero in New York, the Pentagon and Shankesville, Pennsylvania.
During Bell & History Day, sites across the county will host one of the 18 Bells of Remembrance. The bells range in weight from 125 to 5,000 pounds and are suspended from steel frames and mounted onto trailers. The bells are stationary and guests will be invited to ring them during the day. Sites hosting the bells include the Bjorlee Museum/Hessian Barracks, Brunswick Railroad Museum, Central Maryland Heritage League/Lamar Cultural Heritage Center, Frederick County Fire and Rescue Museum, National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, Rose Hill Manor Park and Museums, and the Frederick Visitor Center.
The free Bell & History Handbell Festival on Sunday concludes the weekend's festivities. At the concert, hundreds of bells, along with horns, timpani, organ and voice will perform special arrangements of Civil War hymns from 1861 - Maryland, My Maryland and the Battle Hymn of the Republic in addition to other selections. The concert will be held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Maryland at 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 3. There is no charge to attend, no reservations are necessary, and the public is invited.
Bell and History Days is hosted by the Frederick Historic Sites Consortium and Tourism Council of Frederick County, and detailed program information, participating sites, and activities can be found below. Additional Information: Bell & History Handbell Festival on Sunday, April 3.
Related Activities
New Visitor Center Opens on Bell & History Day - April 2
Frederick County History Bell Dedication - April 2
Bell & History Day Handbell Festival - April 3
Have a Bell to Ring? We need your help!
BELL & HISTORY DAY
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Free Program, 10am-4pm
Parking is available nearby at the Carroll Street entrance
- Explore a collection that began in 1872, including antique toys, instructional aids, fine furniture, sports memorabilia, photos, books, and much more.
- Enjoy current exhibits featuring the art of well-known local artist, Helen L. Smith and the history of the education of Deaf African Americans.
- Learn about Civil War veterans who were alumni of schools for the deaf; and see a collection of original Civil War soldiers’ lending library books from U.S. General Hospital #1 which was located on the grounds – many of which are signed by patients.
- Ring one of the Bells of Remembrance on exhibit here.
Located on the campus of the Maryland School for the Deaf, the Bjorlee Museum is one of Frederick's newest exhibits. The school opened its doors with 34 students in Sept of 1868 and was housed in two Revolutionary War era stone barracks. The remaining Hessian Barracks is adjacent to the museum. The collection begun in 1872 houses school related artifacts, as well as many items of local interest reflecting aspects of Frederick City's long history. Open most weekdays, please call in advance.
101 Clarke Place
Frederick, 21701
(301) 360-2011
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Driving Directions
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Free Program, 10am-4pm
- Get a sneak preview at upcoming Civil War commemoration
- Find out about Museums on Main Street Journey Stories programming
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Play with 19th century children's games and toys such as Graces, Ball and Cup, and Quoit.
Features huge, interactive HO scale model railroad depicting B&O passenger line from Union Station, DC to Brunswick Freight Classification Yards. Railroad equipment and memorabilia, social history exhibits, photographs, Victorian costumes, furnishings, toy, baseball, and medical history exhibits. C&O Canal Visitor Center and Pete Harper's Children's Hands-On Activity Room located on main floor.
40 W. Potomac St.
Brunswick, 21716
(301) 834-7100
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Driving Directions
In operation from 1776 to 1903, the Catoctin Iron Furnace was a community in itself. Founders, miners, clerks, charcoal makers, storekeepers, teamsters, and others came together under the iron master's supervision. A furnace stack, the iron master's Manor House ruins, and self-guided trail. Daily: 8am-sunset.
Route 806, Catoctin Furnace Village
Thurmont, 21788
(301) 271-7574
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Driving Directions
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Free Program, 10am-4pm
- Become a spy at Camp Greentop - where OSS agents (Office of Strategic Services, a predecessor to the Central Intelligence Agency) agents learned spy techniques in the mid-20th century.
- Search the grounds following encrypted clues, to find the “bell'.
- For more instructions stop by the Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center.
The Catoctin Mountain offer a wealth of scenery, wildlife, wildflowers, historic buildings, hiking trails, scenic drives, camping, and fly-fishing. Looking for something different? Try spending the night in a historic cabin in Camp Misty Mount; for reservations call (301) 271-3140. Pets, on leashes, are permitted in outdoor areas but not in buildings.
6602 Foxville Rd.
Thurmont, 21788
(301) 663-9388
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Driving Directions
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Free Program, 10am-4pm
- Follow Maryland flags at mile markers along the Historic National Road on your way to this location.
- See a horse drawn carriage collection and exhibits by the Maryland National Road Association.
- Visit with Dr. Austin Lamar, and tour his turn-of-the-century medical sanitarium, where operating and recovery rooms are on view.
- Learn about the medical services that were available to rural Frederick County residents in 1905.
- Ring one of the Bells of Remembrance on exhibit in the parking lot next door, made possible by the partnership of Main Street Middletown.
This non-profit land trust preserves South Mountain Battlefield sites and is restoring two historical structures, the Lamar Center and the Dahlgren Chapel. Call first.
200 W. Main St., Ste A
Middletown, 21769
(301) 371-7090
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Driving Directions
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Free Program, 10am-4pm
- Learn how the over 200 year old Catoctin Iron Furnace helped shape the land and people of Frederick County.
- Come to the Visitors Center in the Manor area to see historical artifacts and learn from park naturalists about the area’s rich natural and historical attributes.
- Guided hikes to the Catoctin Iron Furnace will occur at 11am and 2pm. Hikes will be approximately 45 minutes long and cover rocky terrain and steps.
14039 Catoctin Hollow Rd.
Thurmont, 21788
(301) 271-7574
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Driving Directions
BELL & HISTORY DAY
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Free Program, 10am-4pm
- See displays that highlight apparatus, equipment and pictures of the colorful history of the Frederick County fire and rescue service.
- Featured units will include a 1939 Ahrens-Fox piston pumper owned by the United Steam Fire Engine Company No. 3, the “Old Lady” 1821 hand tub pumper that served both Frederick and Libertytown, and “Romeo” the ornate 1893 Hose Carriage of the Independent Hose Co. No. 1.
- See the office and research center of the National Fire Heritage Center, a national fire service archive in development in Emmitsburg.
- Ring one of the Bells of Remembrance on exhibit here.
We are proud to announce the opening of the Frederick County Fire & Rescue Museum and the National Fire Heritage Center. See displays that highlight apparatus, equipment and pictures of the colorful history of the Frederick County fire and rescue service. Featured units will include a 1939 Ahrens-Fox piston pumper owned by the United Steam Fire Engine Company No. 3 and the "Old Lady" 1821 hand tub pumper that served both Frederick and Libertytown. Learn about plans for the office and research center of the National Fire Heritage Center, a national organization that is in the process of developing a national fire service archive in Emmitsburg.
300 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, 21727
(301) 898-5578
Driving Directions
1110 Rosemont Ave.
Frederick, 21701
(301) 668-6088
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151 S. East Street
Frederick, 21701
(301) 600-4047
(800) 999-3613
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Driving Directions
A unique War Correspondent's Memorial Arch, constructed by journalist and author George Alfred Townsend. On his former estate, the George Alfred Townsend Museum is open weekends. Apr-Oct 12-5pm. Hike through the park on the Appalachian Trail. Picnic pavilion. Periodic Civil War living histories and encampments. One building is handicapped accessible.
900 Arnoldstown Rd.
Burkittsville, 21718
(301) 791-4767
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Catoctin Mt. Nat'l Scenic Byway
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Historic Sites Consortium
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