Garrett County Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area

Garrett County Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area As the county was settled, its abundance of natural resources provided for both industry and recreation.

To work with stakeholders, partners, and businesses to implement the Garrett County Heritage Plan by offering technical and financial assistance for heritage related initiatives that preserve valuable heritage resources and enhance tourism in the County. Garrett County’s unique heritage resources reflect Maryland’s pioneering spirit as western frontier lands were opened for settlement in the 18th

and 19th centuries. Even now in the 21st century, man and nature are still the driving force for the modern economy.The Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area (MMGWHA) has four major themes: Transportation, including Braddock’s Trail and the National Road; Man and Nature, highlighting the county’s unique natural resources; Historic Recreation as
Garrett County’s natural beauty has inspired travelers from all walks of life to visit and locate to the area; and Cultural Uniqueness, recounting the lives of various cultural groups that settled and have remained in the area. These key heritage topics best describe the local history, culture, archaeology, natural resources and transportation systems which depict the story of Garrett County’s development as Maryland’s Gateway to the West.

Reminder to get all mini grant applications turned in by 8/31/24. Please email them to: amber@garrettchamber.comThank yo...
08/30/2024

Reminder to get all mini grant applications turned in by 8/31/24. Please email them to: [email protected]
Thank you to all who have applied so far!! Have a wonderful holiday weekend everyone!!!

MINI GRANT DEADLINE APPROACHING!Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage AreaThe Mountain Maryland Gateway to the ...
08/29/2024

MINI GRANT DEADLINE APPROACHING!

Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area
The Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area’s mini-grant program is designed to provide funding for non-capital projects including innovative exhibits, tours, marketing, planning
and projects which build upon interpretive themes identified in the Management Plan including Transportation, Man and Nature, Historic Recreation, Cultural Uniqueness. Projects should seek
to attract cultural heritage tourists to the region.

All applications must be submitted by August 31, 2024, by 4:00 pm, all applications will be reviewed, and eligible applicants will be contacted by Heritage Area Director by Mid-September
of award eligibility.
The Heritage Area Grants Committee will review all completed applications. Evaluation and award selections are based on how well the completed application meets the stated criteria.
Mini-grant awards will be reviewed and announced after the mini-grants application closure and all applications have been reviewed and ranked by the Heritage Area Grants Committee meeting
on Monday September 9, 2024. All grantees will be required to sign a grant agreement and provide a one-to-one match that can
be any combination of cash and in-kind services and goods, including volunteer time. Grantees will also be required to acknowledge Mountain Maryland Heritage Area and Maryland
Heritage Area Authority for their contribution to this project. Acknowledgement is to be included on materials produced, in announcements at an event and publicity for the project/program/exhibit such as press releases, articles, and social media posts. Logos must appear on all printed material or signage.

Applications may be mailed to:

Amber Sanders, Heritage Area Director
Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area
Garrett County Chamber of Commerce
15 Visitors Center Drive - McHenry, MD 21541

Or emailed to:
[email protected]

Located in northern Garrett County, Maryland’s westernmost county, lies the town of Grantsville, MD. Grantsville was the...
08/28/2024

Located in northern Garrett County, Maryland’s westernmost county, lies the town of Grantsville, MD. Grantsville was the namesake of wealthy businessman, Daniel Grant of Baltimore, who had moved to the area in 1796. He had purchased an 1100-acre tract of land called Cornucopia, with Grantsville lying in the center of this tract. The original settlement was located along Braddock’s Road to near where the town cemetery is today and is known as the “Old Grantsville” but was moved when Braddock’s Road was shifted.

Before Grantsville was established, an area named Little Crossings was the center of town. The original road was an Indian trail called Nemacolin’s Path. Some famous travelers from this route were General George Washington and General Edward Braddock who had marched thru Grantsville on their way towards Fort Duquesne in Pittsburgh in 1755.

Route 40, the National Road, was the first federally funded highway in the U.S. bringing a lot of pioneers and settlers through the area as they moved westward. The National Road coincided with Braddock's Road in the vicinity of Little Meadows where, in 1816, Joseph Tomlinson's son, Jesse, built the Stone House Inn near Tomlinson’s Inn. Little Crossings grew to include a log tavern, a general store, blacksmith shop, sawmill and gristmill. Many inns and taverns popped up along the National Road and as these travelers came to the area, other businesses would soon follow. Some of these businesses are still around today, including Stanton’s Mill and The Casselman Inn. The Tomlinson Inn still stands although now it is a private residence. The Casselman Inn happens to be the oldest building in Grantsville.

Little Crossings is also the site of a gristmill built by Jesse Tomlinson in 1797, and now known as Stanton's Mill. The mill has been in operation since 1797 and has been operated for five generations by the Stanton family. The Tomlinson's Amish and Mennonite settlers began acquiring farmland in the Grantsville area in about 1800. Their family farms have been a mainstay of the Grantsville area economy for almost two centuries.

Grantsville is the home to the Casselman Bridge, which was recently open to foot traffic only, is now a state park. Temporarily the historic bridge, and National Historic Landmark, is closed. It was inspected by the Engineering and Construction unit of the Department of Natural Resources and upon inspection, cracking with in the stonework, missing grout and dislodged stones were found. Although the bridge is closed you can still come with a picnic lunch and fish on the Casselman River.
You can follow updates on the progress at:
Casselman River Bridge State Park (maryland.gov)

08/16/2024

Don’t forget if you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend, come to Friendsville for Friendsville Days!! Hope to see you there!!!

08/16/2024

We are just days away from our Annual Friendsville Days Festival. We have lots of vendors and entertainment lined up for you! Check out our schedule of events and join us this weekend for so much more.

At approximately 1:30 a.m. on January 13, 1964, Major Tom McCormick was piloting a B-52 bomber during a violent storm wi...
07/25/2024

At approximately 1:30 a.m. on January 13, 1964, Major Tom McCormick was piloting a B-52 bomber during a violent storm with whiteout conditions and winds howling at 29,500 feet. The pilot was desperately trying to get clearance to change altitude to get the plane above the freak winter blizzard. The bomber’s vertical stabilizer had broken off during rough turbulence in the storm and to make matters worse, this wasn’t just any plane, this plane was carrying two thermonuclear bombs.

As a result of the turbulence and the stabilizer being broken off, the aircraft was left uncontrollable, and the pilot ordered the crew to bail out. Seconds later, the aircraft crashed at Big Savage Mountain, near Grantsville, MD. Out of the crew of five, three crewmembers lost their lives. One from the crash itself and two others from exposure. Major Robert L. Payne, Navigator; Major Robert E. Townley, Radar Navigator and TSgt. Melvin D. Wooten, Gunner. The two remaining crew Major Thomas McCormick and Captain Parker Peedin Co-Pilot survived the crash.

Even though the plane crashed in a remote area of Garrett County, a few residents were able to hear the tremendous impact and were able to see the red glow of the burning wreckage from a few miles away. The pilot, Major McCormick, from West Virginia, wandered approximately 5-6 miles to a farmhouse that was owned by Robert Warnick. This farmhouse is located approximately three miles east of Grantsville on U.S. Route 40 and is about 10 or 12 air miles from the crash site. Captain Parker Peedin used a signal mirror to alert a Civil Air Patrol plane where he had landed safely in a field on a farm two miles south of Grantsville. Of the three crew members that lost their lives, two had ejected and the third Major Robert Townley stayed with the plane.

There is a memorial dedicated to the citizens of the area who gave their time, and their energy through the help of the Mountain District, the Department of Maryland and recognition of the United States Air Force. A monument was erected in 1964 by the Mountain District, American Legion and the Department of Labor. The marker is located at 39° 41.788′ N, 79° 8.194′ W. You will find this marker in Grantsville, Maryland. The marker is on Alternate U.S. 40 east of River Road, on the left when traveling east. It is approx. 500 yards east of the Penn Alps Restaurant and the Casselman bridge.

We are listening!! What do you want to learn about with our bi weekly history posts??? Drop us a comment???
07/19/2024

We are listening!! What do you want to learn about with our bi weekly history posts??? Drop us a comment???

FY25 Mini-GrantThe Heritage Area’s mini-grant program is designed to provide funding for non-capital projects including ...
07/08/2024

FY25 Mini-Grant

The Heritage Area’s mini-grant program is designed to provide funding for non-capital projects including innovative exhibits, tours, marketing, planning and projects which build upon interpretive themes identified in the Management Plan including:
Transportation, Man and Nature, Historic Recreation, Cultural Uniqueness. Projects should seek to attract cultural heritage tourists to the region.

*CHANGE IN MINI-GRANT PROCESS*
Date Mini-Grants Open: Thursday August 1, 2024
Mini-Grants to be Submitted By:
Saturday August 31, 2024 by 4:00pm

All applications will be reviewed, and eligible applicants will be contacted by Heritage Area Director by Mid-September of award eligibility. The Heritage Area Grants Committee will review all completed applications. Evaluation and award selection are based on how well the completed application meets the stated criteria.
Mini-grant awards will be reviewed and announced after the mini-grants application closure and all applications have been reviewed and ranked by the Heritage Area Grants Committee meeting on Monday September 9, 2024. Applications and guidelines can be requested by contacting Amber at [email protected]

Applications may be mailed or e-mailed to:

Amber Sanders, Heritage Area Director
Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area
Garrett County Chamber of Commerce
15 Visitors Center Drive - McHenry, MD 21541
301.387.5238 - Direct
[email protected]

The western boundary of Garrett County, Maryland, known as the Deakins Line, and the southern boundary of Garrett County...
07/08/2024

The western boundary of Garrett County, Maryland, known as the Deakins Line, and the southern boundary of Garrett County, Maryland, The Potomac River, meet in the former coal company town of Kempton, Maryland. Part of Kempton also is located in Tucker County, West Virginia. It was originally founded as a small lumber town. In 1913, it was set up as a company town for the Davis Coal and Coke Company. In 1915 mining operations began at Kempton Mine Company, a subsidiary of Davis C&C Company. In 1922 the Maryland Geological Survey had stated that the Kempton Mine “is without a doubt the most modernly equipped of all coal mines in the State of Maryland.”

By the 1930’s Kempton’s population had grown to approximately 900 residents. A strip of land approximately ¾ mile long and several hundred feet wide had been cleared for the construction of company houses. Homes that were built consisted of four to six rooms each with a front yard and a garden in the back. Rent was $2.00 a month and houses were painted once every two years. Only the superintendents’ homes had the privilege of indoor plumbing, however there was one water hydrant for every two houses. The hydrant was located between the houses where it served. In 1915, J. Weimer became the first school teacher earning $40 month and teaching 53 pupils. The company store which was located on the West Virginia side of the town had an Opera House that contained a lunchroom, bowling alley, pool table, dancing floor, auditorium, and the towns post office. Many mines used their own scrip (a form of currency) in lieu of money, which meant it could only be used at the company store.

After the mining industry shut down during the 1950s following unexpected mine closures, the population of Kempton started to decline Upon closure of the mines in April 1950, a notice was placed in the window of the company store stating that the mine would be closing in a week. Then on April 15, 1950, the Kempton Mine closed and the pumps which were running 24 hours a day, were shut off permanently. Following the shut off, thousands of dollars in scrip was dumped down a deep mine shaft, then covered up with remaining mine gob. (a gob, refers to the part of a mine from which the coal has been removed and the space remaining is filled in with waste.) In 6 short weeks, the mines flooded, and people began leaving Kempton. The Kempton mine area has been reclaimed today protecting the grounds from further acid mine drainage that damaged wetlands and the aquatic life downstream. The residents of Kempton held its first annual reunion in 1952. The reunion is held annually, although with fewer people attending each year.

Come out for a lot of fun this weekend to The Victorian Chautauqua Festival!   More info at: https://www.victorianchauta...
07/03/2024

Come out for a lot of fun this weekend to The Victorian Chautauqua Festival!
More info at: https://www.victorianchautauqua.com/

Hope to see you there!!

Rest up! The Victorian Chautauqua is next weekend. Wrap up your 4th of July celebration with the most unique festival around. Live historical portrayals, lectures, music, artisans, and lots of family-friendly activities are all set in the Historic District of Mountain Lake Park.

07/03/2024

🎆🎆 Join us for Fireworks tonight at Broadford Lake Park! 🎆🎆

📅 Date: Wednesday, July 3 (Rain Date: July 5)
⏰ Time: At Dusk
📍 Location: Broadford Lake Park - 123 Recreation Ln, Mountain Lake Park, MD 21550

✨ American Fireworks Company presents an unforgettable evening at Broadford Lake Recreation Area!

🎵 Enjoy a Patriotic Musical Presentation by Garrett County’s Community Concert Band from 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM.

🍔 Food vendors will be available to make your evening even more delightful.

🎟️ Admission:
July 3rd: $3.00 per person, children 8 & under $1.00
July 4th: $5.00 per car

Looking for a great way to spend the 4th of July?? Come out and see the Fire on the Mountain Fireworks Display! See addi...
07/01/2024

Looking for a great way to spend the 4th of July?? Come out and see the Fire on the Mountain Fireworks Display! See additional info below :)

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce presents our July 4th Fire on the Mountain Fireworks Display on Thursday, July 4, 2024! Fireworks will light up the sky above Marsh Mountain at Wisp Resort overlooking Deep Creek Lake on July 4th. The display is set to begin around 9:30 pm and is set off from the tubing hill at the Wisp Mountain Park.

Prime viewing locations for the annual display include:
Scenic overlook along Rt. 219
Wisp Resort
Lawn at Garrett College
Boat on Deep Creek Lake, particularly McHenry Cove
Local Businesses in McHenry
Rain date: July 5th.

Before the fireworks, don't miss Wisp's free Stage Wisp concert by Rick K Road Trip from 6:30pm to 9:30pm under the saddle tent on the front lawn! Bring your blanket and lawn chairs and hot eats and cool drinks will be available for purchase.

Premier Sponsor: Wisp Resort

Supporting Sponsor: Brookfield Renewable US

Supporting Sponsor: Property Owners' Association of Deep Creek Lake, Inc.

Supporting Sponsor: Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations and Deep Creek Real Estate

Contributing Sponsors: Deep Creek SHOP 'n SAVE Fresh featuring Mountain Flour Baking Company, Bear Creek Coffee & Creamery, Bear Creek Traders, Perkins Restaurant and McHenry Beverage Shoppe, courtesy of Raymond and Rebecca Schurg, Garrett Container Systems, Inc., Railey Realty Deep Creek Lake, Railey Vacations, Silvertree Marine and Slopeside Market.

Special Sponsors: Bill's Marine Service and Verizon

Yesterday MMGTW was honored to go to the unveiling of the Milestone Public Art Project in the Grantsville’s A&E District...
06/28/2024

Yesterday MMGTW was honored to go to the unveiling of the Milestone Public Art Project in the Grantsville’s A&E District. Congrats to all the artists on their incredible talent and achievement on this huge accomplishment!! To learn more you can go to:

www.grantsvilleaedistrict.com/milestone-project

06/22/2024

Huge thank you to all who helped at the aid station this morning and to the Snaggy Mountain Slackards for playing for us!! Beautiful morning and wishing safe riding for all those riding today!!

Set up in Friendsville as the first aid station for Gran Fondo first riders are coming in!!  Perfect day  😊
06/22/2024

Set up in Friendsville as the first aid station for Gran Fondo first riders are coming in!! Perfect day 😊

06/19/2024
06/18/2024
Garrett County Gran Fondo is this Saturday June 22, 2024!!!Garrett County and the Deep Creek Lake area boast some of the...
06/18/2024

Garrett County Gran Fondo is this Saturday June 22, 2024!!!

Garrett County and the Deep Creek Lake area boast some of the finest and most challenging cycling in North America, and the Garrett County Gran Fondo has established itself as a premier North American Gran Fondo unsurpassed in challenge, scenery, and riding quality.
The GCGF has a ride for everyone from the recreational cyclist to seasoned professionals with five supported ride options. With the exception of the “Garrett’s Greatest 25”, all GCGF routes are extremely challenging, very steep climbing affairs and riders should plan accordingly. Some hills peak out at over 20% pitch and have extended stretches well into the teens. It is highly recommended that you gear your bike appropriately for the severe climbing.

All proceeds from the GCGF go to the Garrett Trails Nonprofit located in Garrett County, Maryland, to benefit to trails throughout the area.

05/28/2024

Celebrating its 9th Anniversary this season, The B&O Summer Speaker Series has developed a reputation for bringing entertaining and educational railroad programs and information to Oakland. Check out the schedule for this year’s summer series below.

JUNE 1, 8, 15, & 22, THURSDAYS 4:30-6:00
DR. NEAL BROOKS. This is an annual presentation Neal does about the History of Railroads of Garrett County. This event requires pre-registration. Please call Garrett College at 301-387-3069 or Neal at 443-834-4602 to register.

JUNE 14, WEDNESDAY - EDWARD GRIESEL, ELKINS, WV. Ed will be speaking about the history of hobos riding the rails. He attended Temple University and then joined the Navy. After the Navy he worked with telephone companies ending up in Elkins to work at AT&T's International Earth Station. He has served in various leadership capacities in Elkins and Randolph County.

JULY 13, THURSDAY - JOHN SMITH AND LARS BYRNE. John and Lars serve as the Management and Operators of Mountain Rail Adventures in Elkins, Durbin and Cass. This will be their third trip to our museum and their topic this time will be the late US Senator Henry Gassaway Davis. Davis was the founder of the Central West Virginia & Pittsburgh Railroad. Davis & Elkins College is named after Henry and his son- in-law Stephen B. Elkins who was also a United States Senator. They eventually sold their railroad to John D. Rockefeller, Jr who traveled to Garrett County to see the town of Kempton with its coal operation.

AUGUST 9, WEDNESDAY - DR. STEPHEN GOLDMAN, POTOMAC, MD. His topic will discuss the critical Civil War Battle of Monocacy and includes the major role John Work Garrett played during that battle. He has discovered graves in Garrett County of veterans of the 3rd Maryland Infantry Regiment, Potomac Home Brigade who fought at Monocacy.

Doors open at 6:30 and the presentations begin at 7:00. Admission is free. If you have any questions contact Terry Helbig at 301-616-0661.

05/28/2024

The 2024 Garden Tour promises an enchanting experience at the Historical Mountain Lake Park, where visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty of eight Victorian home gardens. As you meander down G...

05/28/2024

Hope you have marked your calendars for the plant sale. Amazing plants from members gardens. Many native plants too.

05/23/2024
05/23/2024
05/23/2024

Address

15 Visitors Center Drive
McHenry, MD
21541

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13013875238

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