Walking tour, Frederick, MD

Walking tour, Frederick, MD

Walking Tours

Historical Society of Frederick County offers seasonal guided walking tours of the Frederick Historic District. Conducted by certified guides, these tours are guaranteed to make a Frederick's colorful past come alive for you. These tours depart from the Frederick Visitor Center, 19 East Church Street, May through October, Saturdays and Sundays, 1:30 p.m. Groups please call (301) 663-1188.

Please note: A self-guided brochure is available in the Visitors Center, 19 E. Church St., for those who are not able to make guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays.

Price: $7 for adults. $6 for Senior Citizens. $5 for children 2 - 12. Infants (2 and under) free.

  • 1. Winchester Hall, 12 East Church Street

    Erected in 1843 by Connecticut educator Hiram Winchester, this stately Greek Revival structure originally housed the Frederick Female Seminary, later renamed Hood College. Winchester Hall now houses Frederick County government offices.

    Turn right from the Visitor Center and walk to the corner of Market Street and Church Street

    Winchester Hall Winchester Hall
  • 2. Kemp Hall, 4 East Church Street

    In 1861 the Maryland Legislature met in an extraordinarily special session to decide if Maryland should secede. Because delegates with southern sympathies had been arrested prior to reaching Frederick, a quorum was not reached so no vote on secession could be taken.

    Cross over Market Street

  • 3. "Earthbound," SW corner of West Church and North Market Street

    This wall mural is painted in a style known as "trompe l'oeil," which translates to mean "trick the eye." It is one in a series of artworks around town known as "Angels in the Architecture" by local artist William Cochran.

    Earthbound "Earthbound"
  • 4. Trinity Chapel, 10 West Church Street

    The stone tower is all that remains of the original church built in 1763. Its graceful 1807 colonial steeple is the oldest of all the churches that make up the "clustered spires" and it houses the town clock. The grave of the pastor who baptized Francis Scott Key is in the foyer of the old tower.

    Trinity Chapel Trinity Chapel
  • 5. Evangelical Reformed Church, 15 West Church Street

    This 1848 Greek Revival church was built when the congregation outgrew the older stone chapel across the street. The pews still display the numbered brass plates from when the church was supported with "pew rents." Civil War heroine Barbara Fritchie was an active member of this church, and General Stonewall Jackson worshipped here in 1862, prior to the Battle of Antietam.

  • 6. Site of Independent Fire Company, 12 West Church Street

    The oldest volunteer fire company in the state, Independent was established in 1818 and was called into service during John Brown's raid on nearby Harpers Ferry. The glass etching, "Volunteers," was created by local artist William Cochran. Independent Fire Company still serves the community but from a different location.

    At the corner turn right on North Court Street

  • 7. City Hall & Courthouse Square, 101 North Court Street

    This Victorian style building, constructed in 1862, has been described as "one of the prettiest courthouse squares in America." In 1765, Frederick citizens assembled in the courtyard and burned effigies of government officials in demonstration of the Stamp Act. This is considered to be the first public uprising against the monarchist rule, occurring several years before the Boston tea party. Busts of Maryland's first governor Thomas Johnson and Supreme Court Justice Roger B. Taney are displayed in the courtyard.

    At the corner turn left on Council Street and then right on Record Street

    City Hall City Hall
  • 8. Ramsey House, 119 Record Street

    Returning from his inspection of Antietam Battlefield on October 4, 1862, Abraham Lincoln visited U.S. Army General Hartsuff, a guest at the Ramsey House, who was recuperating from wounds he received at Antietam. Lincoln spoke at an impromptu gathering in front of the house and later in the day, from the former B&O Railroad Station at the corner of Market and All Saints streets.

    Retrace your steps on Record Street

    Ramsey House Ramsey House
  • 9. William Tyler Page Birthplace, 111 Record Street

    Born on October 19, 1868, William Tyler Page wrote the American's Creed in 1917:

    "I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

    "I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies." Page is a direct descendent of Carter Braxton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

    Proceed to the corner of Record Street and West Church Street

  • 10. Dr. John Tyler's Home, 108 West Church Street

    Dr. John Tyler is considered to be the first American-born ophthalmologist and is credited with performing the first cataract removal. The cast iron dog, modeled after Dr. Tyler's pet "Guess," was stolen by Confederate troops in 1862 with the intention of remolding the iron into bullets. "Guess" was found sometime later near the battlefield at Antietam and returned to stand vigil over Tyler's house.

    Dr. John Tyler's House Dr. John Tyler's House
  • 11. Tyler Spite House, 112 West Church Street

    Dr. John Tyler constructed this Federal- style residence in 1814 as a means of "spiting" city officials who wanted to extend Record Street through to Patrick Street.

    Turn right on West Church Street

    Tyler Spite House Tyler Spite House
  • 12. Baker Park, corner of Bentz and Church Street

    Baker Park is a 44-acre park that runs through the heart of downtown Frederick.

    Turn left on North Bentz Street, staying on the footpath in the park

    Barabara Fritchie House Barbara Fritchie House
  • 13. Barbara Fritchie House, 154 West Patrick Street

    Our local Civil War heroine was immortalized by John Greenleaf Whittier in his poem, "The Ballad of Barbara Fritchie," for defiantly waving her Union flag in the face of oncoming Confederate soldiers. The complete poem is on the Civil War Trail marker by the house.

    Turn left on West Patrick Street

  • 14. John Hanson House, 108 West Patrick Street

    Home of the first President. Prior to the ratification of the United States Constitution in 1788, the original 13 states were governed by the Articles of Confederation, adopted by the Continental Congress in 1781. During this session in Philadelphia, Congress elected Fredericktonian John Hanson for President. He served for one year.

  • 15. Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 West Patrick Street

    This restored 1926 Art Deco movie palace features year-round performances. Once known as the Tivoli Theatre, the building features the original Wurlitzer pipe organ, a mechanical wonder of its day.

    Weinbert Center for the Arts Weinberg Center for the Arts
  • 16. National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 East Patrick Street

    This engaging museum tells the medical story of the Civil War. The care and healing, courage and devotion of the caregivers and patients on both sides of the War are explored. This museum is housed in a building where soldiers were embalmed during the war. This highly recommended museum is open Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm.

    At the second corner turn right onto South Carroll Street. Proceed one block and follow the ramp to the bridge mural, which is below street level

  • 17. Community Bridge Mural, Carroll Street between East Patrick Street and East All Saints Street

    This award-winning trompe l'oeil mural transformed a plain concrete bridge into the permanent illusion of an old stone and ivy-covered bridge. Local artist William Cochran created this work of public art.

    Retrace your steps following North Carroll Street. Turn left on Church Street

  • 18. Trail Mansion, 106 East Church Street

    Currently a funeral home, this Italian renaissance mansion was constructed by Col. Charles Trail in 1852. The stepping stone situated at the curb in front of the wrought iron gate was used by Frederick's gentlewomen when getting in and out of carriages.

    Trail Mansion Trail Mansion
  • 19. Historical Society of Frederick County, 24 East Church Street

    Originally constructed for the family of Dr. Baltzell in the 1820's, the home later served as the Loat's Female Orphanage. The elegant federal building is now open as a house museum and research library and is well worth a visit Mon-Sat 10 am-4 pm and Sun 1-4 pm.

  • 20. Evangelical Lutheran Church, 35 East Church Street

    Organized in 1738, the first Evangelical Lutheran Church was built of logs in 1746. In 1762, it was replaced by a stone church structure. The present structure was completed in 1854. The west tower of the church holds a bell cast in England and shipped to Frederick in 1771. The church served as a hospital during the Civil War.

    Evangelical Lutheran Church Evangelical Lutheran Church