Museums & Historical Sites

OPEN Visit the oldest surviving railroad station in America & original terminus of the 1st 13 miles of commercial railroad in the US.

OPEN This 142-acre site tells the inspiring story of the life and times of Benjamin Banneker, considered the first African American man of science. The exhibits, programs and park have something for you whether your interest is history, astronomy, cultural activities, hiking or nature and conservation.

Opened in 1880, the school fulfilled an 1879 Maryland State law requiring that counties provide educational facilities for African American children. The one room school, the first to be built with county funds, operated until 1953 and the integration of public schools.

TEMPORARILY CLOSED Explores the unique challenges of fighting fire in late 19th and early 20th century Ellicott City.  In 1889 a group of volunteers constructed the firehouse at a cost of $500 dollars. Conveniently situated on a small, triangular lot, the original building was simply designed to house the hand-drawn—later … Read More

TEMPORARILY CLOSED Learn about the bravery, dedication of the men and women of HCPD since 1840. Identifying fingerprints with just a magnifying glass is just one of the many displays you'll experience.

This grand home was in 1828 by the grandson of Andrew Ellicott, one of the founders of Ellicott City. Mt.Ida’s style was gleaned from the Greek Revival and Italianate periods, reminiscent of that which pervaded the South during its Ante-bellum Period and was the last Ellicott home built within our … Read More

OPEN Whether it’s daily life in an 19th century mill town, the history of the 4-H Club or a closer look at the lives of the county’s founding fathers, get a deeper understanding and hands on experience of Howard County history.

OPEN Perched at Old Ellicott City’s highest point, the Patapsco Female Institute offered a revolutionary curriculum to young women from 1837-1891. The school earned a national reputation for its inclusion of botany, chemistry, languages, literature, math, and music in an effort to mold elegant young ladies into engaged, active citizens. … Read More

TEMPORARILY CLOSED Constructed around 1780, the Thomas Isaac Log Cabin commemorates the early stages of European development in the Patapsco River Valley. The cabin’s small size and spare interior reflect the style of most homes from the end of the 18th century, lending visitors to the site a sense of … Read More