FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Allegany County Office of Tourism
701 Kelly Road
Cumberland, MD 21502
P 301.876.9595
aworkman@alleganygov.org
www.mdmountainside.com 


Mountain Maryland Museum Week Returns
The promotion will run June 7-16 and will honor the region’s history and heritage. 

June 4, 2024 - CUMBERLAND, MD – Allegany County Tourism has announced the return of Mountain Maryland Museum Week, which will take place June 7-16, 2024. This 10-day annual promotion will highlight the heritage tourism attractions and assets in Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland, by partnering with participating museums to provide better availability and awareness of these attractions as well as offering heritage-focused special events and programming. Visitors and community members are encouraged to support the local history and heritage sites. 

The Mountain Maryland region’s heritage story is steeped in America's early transportation milestones as told in our rivers, rails, trails, mountains, and towns.  Pre-industrial revolution, the county’s topography lent itself as a natural passageway for westward exploration and migration. Home to the final stop on the C&O Canal, Mile Marker “0” for the National Road, and a major crossroad for railroad connection and development, Allegany County served the industrial revolution as an epicenter for exporting natural resources. While the early railroad mainly transported coal, ore, timber, and occasional passengers, another major passageway transported people in a different way: below ground, the original Fort Cumberland tunnels provided refuge to enslaved people on their journey towards freedom just across the Mason Dixon line a few miles away. 

“Museum Week is an opportunity to celebrate our region’s rich heritage tourism assets,” says Ashli Workman, Director of Tourism. “Our goal is to raise awareness for our history attractions through storytelling and honoring how history plays a role in education, economic development, and inspiring travel.”

The following museums will be participating in Museum Week:

  • Allegany Museum
  • C. William Gilchrist Museum of the Arts
  • Emmanuel Episcopal Church
  • Evergreen Heritage Center
  • Frostburg Museum
  • George Washington’s Headquarters
  • Gordon-Roberts House
  • Mountain City Traditional Arts
  • National Road LaVale Toll Gate House
  • Wills Creek Museum 

Participating museums agreed to be open at least four of the 10 days of the promotion, which spans two weekends.

The public can expect events and programs offered during Museum Week, such as special excursions along the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. The public is encouraged to consider visiting historical sites such as the new Coal Miner’s Memorial located in Frostburg, the Brownsville Monument, the Lonaconing Iron Furnace, and more.  Allegany County is also home to Passages of the Western Potomac Heritage Area (one of 13 of the state’s official Heritage Areas) and is a part of three of Maryland’s Scenic Byways, each with historical relevance and perfect for a summer road trip. 

A list of each museum’s hours of operation as well as a list of heritage-focused events and historical sites are available at www.mdmountainside.com/museumweek.


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Allegany County Tourism
Allegany County Tourism is the official tourism office for Allegany County, Maryland. Allegany County Tourism enhances the quality of life in Allegany County, Maryland, and strengthens destination awareness through promotion, development, and services that attract visitors to stay longer and spend more in our community. A comprehensive listing of area attractions, lodging options, and community events can be found at www.mdmountainside.com. Tourism supports 3,600 jobs in Allegany County, generates $160 million in visitor spending and $47 million in tourism tax revenues annually. Source: Tourism Economics