historical society of frederick county

I was there during the pre-Christmas holidays; there was a wonderful Christmas tree exhibit in many rooms. I also peeked into the research center in the basement and enjoyed the antique grandfather clock collection as well. The building used to be an orphanage for girls and is in a beautifully preserved condition---it is like stepping back into time. I loved it. Lots of interesting information about Frederick County history.

Title tells the story - Frederick has a rich history and there really isn't much to see at the Historical Society. They do have a decent collection of historical books, but a pretty skimpy array of displays and a surprisingly light map collection.On the brighter side, it is a nice building and the staff are very friendly. If you are looking for history, I suggest that you start in the nearby library.

My husband and I had such a wonderful time on the Civil War Mayhem Tour in Frederick, MD this evening. We strolled through the town and learned so much interesting history from tour guides Joe and Kristin. They were both so passionate about the subject and conveyed that through their stories. My husband and I love history and enjoyed this tour so much that we plan to come back and participate in several new tours that will be available like the architecture tour. Can't wait!!!! Thank you Joe and Kristin, you were the highlight of our evening!

We really enjoyed walking the streets and browsing the shops. Some were very highly priced but had some really cute and unique things. Really enjoyed the select seconds thrift store. It was very reasonable and some great finds

The gentleman that was our guide was so knowledgeable and interesting. Frederick has so much history.

We took a Saturday 90 minute walking tour. Guide was very knowledgable. We stayed on point and covered a good bit of ground during the time. So much history to Frederick that it was sometimes hard to keep Revolutionary stories from War of 1812 from Civil War.

The librarians at the Historical Society were nice enough to let me go through some very old original records to help me in my genealogy research. As a bonus, a docent offered a private tour of the museum. Lovely place, lovely people.

Frederick, Maryland, which is nestled between the foothills that appear in old photographs and the historically significant Monocacy River, is a jewel of a town. Its streets resonate with Upper as well as lower-case history. And it is a pleasure to stroll them. A lively arts scene has sprung up among clusters of Federal-era, as well as more flamboyantly ostentatious Victorian, architecture. And along Market Street, one might satisfy almost any legal appetite.And that is what is also wrong with the place. A tourist destination needn't exclude ordinary citizens, though Frederick's self-image appears to be going in that very direction. While there, I saw pleasure-seekers, property owners, and the well-heeled working-class. But I did not see laborers, welfare candidates, or card-carrying rednecks. Or *rednecks who would never think of owning any card whatsoever. And don't - from their way of thinking - need to.At least one artist-entrepreneur wants Frederick to become the next Santa Fe - which would, in my view, doom it as a place for people who may merely wish to live there; have home-ties that keep them coming back; want a smaller place to raise a family or to keep out of harm's way. If Frederick moves toward Santa Fe, there will two classes of people: pleasure-seekers and/or providers and the bottom-feeders who supply them with strong backs, sagging shoulders, and laminated menus. I intend to review two different establishments and let you, the reader, decide on the sort of place Frederick's likely to become. I'm hoping that it can stop where it is today. If one walks away from the town center, he or she will find modest-looking row-houses that, in all likelihood, contain wage-earning folk who are not, and can never be, bound to the glittering economies of Santa Fe. They do not think of ballet lessons for their children; getting gold jewelry appraised; or whether Pinot Noir is too overrated to even talk about. They want to watch their kids frolic in Baker Park because it's good for them to get away from the TV. I’m hoping that this Frederick, as well as its more attractive town center, is not pushed aside. A place’s vitality is dependent, not only on its economic engine, but on the ordinary people who seem peripheral to it. Whatever their status, they are absolutely essential to any town’s overall character.Go into Café Nola (4 East Patrick Street) and you'll find yourself in a pleasantly noisy environment with blossom-young baristas and a wait-staff that introduces itself by name. It is a hip place to be, but also family-friendly. Its menu is updated to reflect fussier palates, but it's down-to-earth as well. My significant other and I had granola sprinkled with strawberries. We poured soya milk over it while sipping herb tea. Across from us was a family group who ate heartily and acted as if it was not here, but in some greasy spoon – I mean the type with nickel counter-tops and a cash register that rings when the drawer comes out. Nearby, a group of young women signed to one another across numerous table-settings and coffee-cups. In order to be understood, these young women posted their orders on a small computer screen and passed it along to their waitperson. I liked the place, though it reflected the local price threshold, which was on the high end of things. A bowl of granola shouldn't cost five dollars, but it did there. In Downtown Frederick, this is an average sort of place.By contrast, there's Voila! (10 N. Market Street), a tea-shop where we purchased two ounces of an aromatic blend for ten dollars. And purchased a scone for almost half that. It was, however, a sensual delight and impossible not to credit with the attributes for which it was striving. It was exclusive, but not flashy. The quality of its wares was impeccable, though there was nothing for the low-wage earner who might care to cut down on his or her coffee with some herb tea. It was designed to produce an intimate experience that had no hard edges at all. The colors receded, the banks of tea and coffee samples exuded a sense of tribal order, and the service personnel were as knowledgeable as they were unobtrusive. Yet one doesn't go there to save money. Like so many places in Frederick, it delivered an experience as well as a physical object.Thus the two Fredericks, for now, co-exist. But what will happen in the future? Lacking the gift of prophecy, I haven't the foggiest. And yet Frederick itself seems to want Santa Fe. I hope I'm mistaken. Frederick is a jewel whose sparkle is not yet blinding. Yet it very well could be.*We saw one. Perhaps he was pretending.For more information, contact Frederick’s Visitor’s Center at: (301) 644-4047

Hisgtoric place and people at some places were very proud of it.. Ask around & visit the sites. I like Frederic, MD,.

Great historical society with excellent research center for those with passion for past. Located in home of original leader of Hood College and then John Loats who was key layman behind building of Evangelical Lutheran Church (275 year old church accross the street) and establishment of orphanage in this home following his death. He left bequest that cared for orphans, city, and those in need. Harry Grove stadium & School of Deaf facilities are located on land donated by this humanitarium. John Loats is part of Frederick historical leaders like Francis Scott Key, John Hanson (first president of Contential Congress), Charles Carroll (only Catholic to sign Decaration of Independence), Roger Taney (first Catholic chief justice of Supreme Court that also decided Dred Scott case), and Barbara Fritchie to name a few.

lots of good history and the guides are very well informed but you cannot touch or photograph any exibits no biggie

I enjoyed getting the brief overview of Frederick and Frederick County.

The title sort of sums it up. The staff was very help and friendly but there just is not a lot to see here.

Also has many fabulous workshops during the year. Well worth a visit.