Potomac River
Scenic view of the Potomac River at Point Lookout.
Celebrate America’s 250th — Mountain Maryland Voices & Stories
Experience the stories, places, and people who shaped our nation from the Mountain Side of Maryland.
Allegany County, Maryland, is proud to join the nationwide commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary. As part of the Maryland 250 Commission, we invite you to explore the stories, attractions, and events that reflect our region’s role in the nation’s founding and its ongoing journey toward life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Here in the Mountain Side of Maryland, you’ll find place-based experiences, inclusive storytelling, and opportunities to connect past to present. Every attraction, itinerary, and program featured here has been vetted and approved by the Maryland 250 Coalition to ensure historical accuracy, inclusivity, and meaningful reflection.
- 3 Pershing Street
- (301) 777-7200
The Allegany Museum offers an in-depth journey through Allegany County and the surrounding region's history, spanning from the arrival of Native Americans 12,000 years ago to the 20th century Industry. The museum also highlights the evolution of transportation, featuring the…
- 13 Canal Street
Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potomac River as coal, lumber, and agricultural products floated down the waterway to…
- 15613 Trimble Road NW
- (301) 687-0664
This historic farm, located just outside Mt. Savage, was established over 200 years ago. It includes three museums (the Farmhouse Museum, Agricultural Museum in the c.1783 barn, and the Coal Camp Museum) plus acres of gardens, greenhouses, a sawmill, and three outdoor pavilions…
- 19015 Opessa Street
- (248) 644-3163
Visiting this colonial stone house built by Captain Michael Cresap in 1764 provides a rare opportunity to experience what life was like for a frontier family during the 18th century. Michael was the son of the famous Col. Thomas Cresap, a member of the Ohio Company, whose…
- 14302 National Highway
- (301) 777-5132
Constructed in 1811, the National Road, the first federally funded road, made Cumberland "The Gateway to the West," establishing mile marker one. Travel the road as it cuts through the Narrows in LaVale, a spectacular 1,000-foot breach between Wills and Haystack Mountains that…
- 117 Maryland Avenue
- (240) 410-7502
The museum in Westernport recounts the community's industrial history and showcases a collection of railroad artifacts. The Westernport Heritage Society Museum was founded in 1996 when the local Western Maryland Railroad Station was acquired by the Town of Westernport for use as…
- 19 Depot Street
- (301) 689-3380
"Make the Journey" on the National Road to the Thrasher Carriage Museum. Costumed docents transport visitors back in time to explore early transportation. Guides and interpretive signs offer a glimpse into the world of the elegant traveler. Stories of the clothing, activities…
- 136 Main Street
- (443) 651-0680
Small-town museum capturing community and home culture during the railroading and coal mining era.
Historic Train Rides
Iconic journey on the rails with Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.
Trace the legacy of coal mining in Allegany County, where the industry powered a nation and shaped the lives of immigrant families who built Mountain Maryland’s communities.
Discover stories of resilience and triumph as you explore sites that honor the contributions of African Americans to Allegany County’s cultural, social, and civic history.
Travel the nation’s first federally funded highway, beginning in Cumberland, and uncover the landmarks, towns, and stories that shaped America’s westward exploration.
Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal West Scenic Byway
Follow rich history and adventure through Allegany County's portion of the…
Historic National Road Scenic Byway
Follow America's oldest road through the county to discover important parts of…
Mountain Maryland Byway
Explore the wild side of Maryland, characterized by rugged mountain trails and…
Learn About our Heritage Area
Where the story of America's early transportation milestones is told in our rivers, rails, trails, mountains, and towns.
