The city of Cumberland is excited to reveal its all-new look to its historic city center, a transformation that's been years in the making. The county seat of Allegany County, Cumberland, MD, has had a front-row seat to countless important moments in American history. Since the nation’s infancy, Cumberland has served as one of the United States’ most significant transportation hubs … for covered wagons, canal boats, trains, automobiles and bicycles. It even served as a resting place for freedom-seekers traveling endless miles on foot as they made their way along the Underground Railroad. Both a commitment to historic preservation and a desire to honor all the ways that people have traveled to and through the city will result in a beautiful and functional space that gives residents and business owners a renewed sense of pride in their community and visitors an array of reasons to come – or come back – to Cumberland.
Join us for the Grand Reopening of Cumberland's Historic City Center culminating in a ribbon cutting at 11 am on November 14, 2024. Stay afterwards to enjoy lunch at the local establishments, shop our unique list…
About the Design
The major goal of the redevelopment program was to focus attention back on the historic downtown, breathing new life into old buildings and truly looking at how people shop, dine and travel in the 21st century. As part of the new vision, one lane of slow-moving automobile and bicycle traffic will return to Baltimore Street, which will once again become a central gathering place. The new single-lane street will is flanked by sidewalks that measure more than 20 feet wide and allow for plenty of pedestrian passage, as well as outdoor dining space for the many restaurants that were already operating downtown or that have decided to open thanks to the redevelopment. The street has been planted with London Plane, a hardy and fast-growing shade tree that was specifically selected because of its ability to form an open canopy several stories above the street. The trees’ branches will easily clear the 12-foot-tall streetlights, which means that people moving along the street can easily see signs and marquees and appreciate the architectural features of the historic buildings. The landscaping plan was specially designed to result in unobstructed views up and down the entire street.
Rendering of the reimagined Baltimore Street. Credit: Cochran Studio
Rendering of the reimagined Baltimore Street. Credit: Cochran Studio
It's a Community Event and We Hope to See you There!
Additional Grand Opening Weekend Events
MAKE A WEEKEND OF IT
Cumberland's juncture for the C&O Canal Towpath and the Great Allegheny Passage bike trails is the central location for riders traveling between Pittsburgh, PA, and Washington, DC. The Potomac River flows through downtown, separating the city from the neighboring state of West Virginia. You could say Cumberland is the heartbeat of adventure, with ample opportunities to connect with nature and outfitters to get you started on your biking, kayaking, and fly-fishing excursions in and around the area. But for Cumberland, history may speak the loudest. You can almost sense the stories around you as you hear the loud whistle from the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad or walk the Washington Street historic district with residential architectural styles, ranging from Greek Revival to Victorian, Colonial Revival to bungalows. Immerse yourself in the tales of the underground tunnels of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, constructed in 1850 overtop the former Fort Cumberland trenches. According to oral history, the tunnels beneath the church became escaped slaves' last stop in slave territory before making their way to the Mason-Dixon Line just four miles north of Cumberland.
