Second Annual Museum Ramble Set for May 7th and 8th; Hagerstown-Washington County, Maryland

Hagerstown-Washington County, MD Museum Ramble. Various museums throughout the county, Sat. May 7th 10AM-5PM, Sun. May 8th 1PM-5PM. Volunteers will be on hand to discuss the collections, purposes and development of the museums. Special events planned for each museum. Flyers with maps of museums will be available. Stop by Hagerstown Visitor Welcome Center for light refreshments and to pick up information. 301-791-3246.

Hagerstown, MD (PRWEB) April 22, 2005 -- Washington County Hosts Second Annual "Museum Ramble" May 7th and 8th Weekend to Delight and Surprise - brochures and maps available at Downtown Visitor Welcome Center New web site details special event: www.marylandmemories.org/wcmr

Whatever your passion - fine arts, our rural heritage, battlefields, monuments, World War Two, village life, black history, geology, or trains (both real ones or model trains) - it will be satisfied by a jaunt through Washington County.

The second annual Washington County Museum Ramble is scheduled for Mother's Day weekend, Saturday May 7, 2005 from 10am -- 5pm, and Sunday May 8, 2005 from 1pm -- 5pm. This special event is a self-guided tour of many of the museums throughout the county. Of Maryland's 300-plus museums, more than 10 percent are located in Washington County. Larger than last year's event, more than a dozen museums will be participating in this year's "Ramble." A good place to start the tour will be at the Visitors Welcome Center in downtown Hagerstown. Coffee, juice and goodies will be available along with maps and souvenirs. Each participating museum will have events and exhibits, especially for The Ramble.

The Washington County Association of Museums and Historical Sites (WCAMHS) and the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau are sponsoring the Museum Ramble to provide a sample of some of the more than thirty museums in the county. This second annual Museum Ramble will be a self-guided tour. Maps and directions to all the sites (as well as complimentary light refreshments) can be obtained at the Visitor Welcome Center, 16 Public Square, Hagerstown. Information will also be available at the I-70 information centers. A selected group of member organizations have volunteered as hosts for the May 7th and 8th event.

Some of the participating museums are private, and open only by appointment. Not only are visitors invited to view museum collections and learn about the various unique features of this extraordinary county, but most of the organizations have also planned special surprises to delight children of all ages. Stop in at the Visitor Welcome Center and receive a free WCM pin!

For more information - see the Museum Ramble web site at: http://www.marylandmemories.org/wcmr.

The museums and sites participating in the Museum Ramble, and planning special activities, are:

Boonsborough Museum of History
(301-432-6969), 113 N. Main Street, Boonsboro Come see a special display in what many call Washington County's most eclectic collection!

Fort Frederick State Park
(301-842-2155), 18 miles west of Hagerstown, one mile south of I-70 (Rt 56 exit 12), Maryland's first state park! The fort celebrates its 250th year in 2006, come see a special display of musket and cannon firing demonstrations during the Museum Ramble, and enjoy refreshments.

Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum
(301-739-4665), 300 S. Burhans Blvd (US 11) Drinks and cookies provided. Come see an exhibit of Historical Women in Railroading, and the special Trains for Kids. There are extraordinary things to see, including a trolley built in 1918, torpedoes for railroad tracks, and a special lantern designed to measure color blindness. See the largest display of working model trains in the four-state area!

Hancock Town Museum
(301-678-6308), High Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, Hancock. With thousands of antiques, this wonderful transportation museum pertains to the C & O Canal, the National Pike, and the Western Maryland Railroad.

Jonathan Hager House and Museum
(301-739-8393), Hagerstown City Park - Private frontier fort -- original home of Hagerstowns founder, built over two separate springs the site houses the original Little Heiskel and a large collection of 18th Century antiques!

The Mansion House, City Park, Hagerstown
(301-797-6813). Headquarters for the Valley Art Association, works displayed from scores of artists, in a beautiful mansion built in 1846.

Miller House and Washington County Historical Society
(301-797-8782), 135 W. Washington Street, Hagerstown - Exhibits include papers and historic items from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War and the C&O Canal. A clock collection showcases large and small items from clockmakers of yesteryear.

McMahons Mill Military Museum
(301-223-8778), 7900 Avis Mill Road, Williamsport , MD 21795 - See a real Gatling Gun, Civil War weapons, jewelry from around the world, and more!

Pry House Field Hospital Museum
18906 Shepherdstown Pike, Sharpsburg
(301-695-1864 or 800-564-1864). Washington County's newest museum is on the Antietam National Battlefield. See a special medical display showing battlefield surgery following the single bloodiest day in American history.

Skivvy Waver Museum
a World War II museum dedicated to US Naval Service, open Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., by appointment, 2321/2 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown. To make an appointment call 410-825-2553.

Smithsburg Historical Society
(Geiser -- Mason Farm Museum), 21 W. Water St., Smithsburg. Usually only open by appointment. 301-824-7154. See a 1901 wooden Geiser Threshing Machine. Peter Geiser invented the threshing machine -- see his work bench, papers, and equipment. Pottery, sculptures, and antiques also on display.

The Train Room
(301-745-6681), 360 South Burhans Blvd, Hagerstown. Refreshments offered. Extraordinary collection of nationally renown Lionel items.

Washington County Museum of Fine Arts
(301-739-5727), Hagerstown City Park - The Crown Jewel of Washington County. Special exhibits including baseball (in all media), American Watercolor Society and Public School Art will be on view. There will be door prizes on both days and live music on Sunday.

Washington County Rural Heritage Museum
(240-313-2839), 7313 Sharpsburg Pike (MD65), Boonsboro. 7 miles south of I-70 (exit #29) -- Enjoy refreshments, and more! Come C" rural heritage in Washington County! Catoctin Furnace cast iron stove, Conestoga wagon, Corn sheller, Corncob checkers, and a Century Farm Exhibit.

Williamsport Town Museum
14 Springfield Lane, Williamsport. (301-223-5854 or 301-223-7229). Enjoy memorabilia in the lower level of the Historic Barn at the Springfield Farm. Old time stories, 1800s furniture, and a special display of Fairchild Industries Rosie The Riveter," and meet Red Hatters of Williamsport.

For more information or directions, contact: Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 301-791-3246. www.marylandmemories.com. Or, Washington County Association of Museums and Historical Sites, 301-733-3638.

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