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Rediscover Cumberland

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.

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.

Rediscover Cumberland Downtown Rendering
Rendering of the reimagined Baltimore Street. Credit: Cochran Studio
Liberty Street Plaza Rendering - Cumberland, MD
Rendering of the reimagined Baltimore Street. Credit: Cochran Studio

Grand Opening Weekend Events

A Cumberland Cabaret Nov 13

A Cumberland Cabaret

To celebrate the reopening of Baltimore Street, the Embassy Theatre presents a revue of songs performed by some of your favorite Ambassadors. Join us on Wednesday, November 13 at 8 pm as we feature twenty songs performed by eighteen singers. Conceived and directed by Tom…

Rediscover Cumberland Grand Reopening Ribbon Cutting Nov 14

Rediscover Cumberland Grand Reopening Ribbon Cutting

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 of retailers, and take in the incredible transformation of the…

Allegany: The American High School Experience Oct 16

Allegany: The American High School Experience

Allegany: The American High School Experience The Allegany Museum is pleased to host the special exhibition entitled, “Allegany: The American High School Experience.". The exhibit, was fully researched, developed and designed by current Allegany High School students enrolled in…

Noah Fowler Live at Gallery Stage Nov 15

Noah Fowler Live at Gallery Stage

Noah G. Fowler is a songwriter and guitarist now based in Nashville, Tennessee. Drawing influences from his past in Canadian maritime Fiddle jams, smoky Pennsylvania mountain dive bars, underground Allston basement shows, and his present - learning from Nashville’s honky tonk…

THOMAS JEFFERSON | FOUNDER, MUSICIAN & VIOLINIST Nov 15

THOMAS JEFFERSON | FOUNDER, MUSICIAN & VIOLINIST

NOVEMBER 15 & 16. THOMAS JEFFERSON | FOUNDER, MUSICIAN & VIOLINIST On November 15th and 16th, Mountainside is delighted to coordinate with the gala “Rediscover Cumberland” celebration of the newly-revived downtown Cumberland area with Thomas Jefferson: Founder, Musician…

Trae Sheehan Live at Loft 129 Nov 15

Trae Sheehan Live at Loft 129

Trae Sheehan returns to the American Woodmark stage at the Loft! An old soul from the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, Trae Sheehan has been writing songs and performing since the age of ten. A lover of imagery and storytelling through lyrics based on old stories and poems, he…

ABBAmania and Tribute to Cher Nov 16

ABBAmania and Tribute to Cher

“Mamma Mia” .. here we go again! The ABBA tribute ABBAmania returns to Cumberland after a sell out performance here in 2020! This time, they’re bringing their “tribute friend” CHER! Do You “Believe”? We do! This two hour spectacular features the many hits from ABBA (“Dancing…

Double Bill: Not Reely Dan with ToMaJiTo Nov 16

Double Bill: Not Reely Dan with ToMaJiTo

In Celebration of the Baltimore St. re-opening, the Loft is proud to bring two fan favorites to the American Woodmark Stage! Sure to be an incredible jazzy-funky night! At 8 PM ToMaJiTo, a contemporary jazz/funk group, will take the AW stage to perform music by The Yellow…

Joe Pug Live at Gallery Stage Nov 16

Joe Pug Live at Gallery Stage

Join us for an unforgettable evening with Joe Pug, the critically acclaimed singer-songwriter known for his evocative lyrics and soulful harmonica. With a career spanning over a decade, Joe Pug has captivated audiences worldwide, sharing stages with legends and gracing major…

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. 

Outdoor Adventure

History Is Alive

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