From Louis Comfort Tiffany glass windows to ejector seats and paper trains, Allegany County’s museums are packed with surprises—if you know where to look. For this year’s Mountain Maryland Museum Week, we asked local museums to share their most curious, unexpected, and conversation-starting artifacts. Get to know the treasure trove of stories and objects that will spark imaginations of all ages.
Running June 13–22, 2024, Museum Week offers 10 days of enhanced access to our region’s rich history and heritage. Whether you're a local family looking for a new adventure or a traveler eager to uncover hidden gems, these 10 finds are the perfect starting point.
1. A One-of-a-Kind Tiffany Window at Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Emmanuel Episcopal Church - Cumberland, Maryland
The Rizpah Window, created by Tiffany Studios, is more than just a masterpiece of stained glass, it’s the only known window of its kind, depicting a powerful Old Testament woman who stood up for her beliefs. Donated by a local suffragette, the window merges local history, fine art, and timeless values.
2. An 18th-Century Compass That Shaped the Region
Wills Creek Museum - Cumberland, Maryland
Tucked into the Wills Creek Museum is an 18th-century surveyor’s compass, a tool that helped map and shape the early land boundaries of Mountain Maryland. Its presence sparks wonder at the precision and ambition of early explorers.
3. An 1822 Kitchen That Brings the Past to Life
Evergreen Heritage Center - Mount Savage, Maryland
Step into the newly unveiled 1822 kitchen exhibit and you’ll be transported into the rhythms of daily life from two centuries ago. With its massive stone fireplace and antique tools, this immersive display shows how food was prepared, preserved, and shared by generations past.
4. A Coal Stove with a Story and the Smell of Fresh Bread
Evergreen Heritage Center - Mount Savage, Maryland
Discover Evergreen’s late-1800s Penn Esther coal and wood-burning stove with a sweet backstory: it was used by the museum director’s grandmother to bake 30 loaves of bread at a time, sold to the local community.
5. A Model T That Doubles as a Selfie Spot
Allegany Museum - Cumberland, Maryland
It may not be rare, but it is a fan favorite: the fully restored Model T on display at the Allegany Museum is a magnet for photos and a symbol of America’s transition into the modern age. The glossy finish and vintage charm make it a must-see (and must-snap).
6. A B-52 Bomber Ejector Seat
Frostburg Museum - Frostburg, Maryland
Yes—an actual ejector seat from a B-52 bomber that crashed in Garrett County in 1964 is housed right in Frostburg. The story behind the crash, the crew, and the nuclear weapons on board is the stuff of Cold War history.
7. Prehistoric Animal Skulls from Bone Cave
Allegany Museum - Cumberland, Maryland
Right along the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad route lies Bone Cave, a prehistoric site where extinct animal fossils were discovered while digging out the rail line through Wills Mountain. The animal skulls on display inside the Allegany Museum are rare, ancient, and an incredible gateway to the region’s deep past. In fact, Paleontologists of the Smithsonian Institute studied the area after the fossils were unearthed, recording 41 genera of mammals, 16 percent of which were extinct. The National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, houses a saber-toothed cat extracted from the Cumberland site.
8. WWII-Era Paper Trains
Allegany Museum - Cumberland, Maryland
During WWII, when metal was scarce, model train makers got creative by making trains out of paper. These fragile models, hidden in the B&O section of the Crossroads of America exhibit, are rare survivors of wartime ingenuity.
9. A Portrait with Seriously Long Hair
Frostburg Museum - Frostburg, Maryland
The hand-colored 1880s portrait of Lizzy Ort Brode stands out not just for its beauty, but for Lizzy’s famously long hair, cascading well past her waist. It’s one of those portraits that stops you in your tracks and keeps you guessing about the woman behind the frame.
10. A House Full of Hidden Heirlooms
Evergreen Heritage Center - Mount Savage, Maryland
From a limited-edition of the original Mason-Dixon line map to a melodion (a harpsichord-organ hybrid), the Evergreen Farmhouse is bursting with family treasures that have been lovingly preserved. Don’t miss the dollhouse replica of the farmhouse itself—a perfect surprise for young visitors. The collections have garnered the Best of Maryland Award from Preservation Maryland in 2020.
Plan Your Visit
These 10 finds are just a taste of the artifacts and adventure you will find during Mountain Maryland Museum Week. Museums across Allegany County are opening their doors for special events, extended hours, and interactive exhibits. Whether you're into rare artifacts or quirky stories, you’re sure to discover something new.