5 Unique Ways to Experience Civil War History in Frederick County, MD

In Frederick County, Maryland, there's Civil War history around every corner and turn of the road. In the 1860s, residents here found themselves at the epicenter of an armed struggle involving millions of soldiers. Located just 50 miles north of the nation's capital at Washington, DC, and at the center of a network of roads, railroads, and canals connecting east and west, north and south, Frederick became a battleground. 

Downtown Frederick in 1862 when Union and Confederate armies marched through the city of 8,000 

Today, visitors come to the region seeking their own connections to this most important era in American history. Frederick is an ideal place to base a visit to iconic locations like Gettysburg National Military Park, Antietam National Battlefield, and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.

And while you're here, you'll find that Frederick County has a remarkable story as well - tales of battlefield glory, medical heroes, and civilians caught in the crossfire. 

In a region full of American history, here are five unique experiences that bring the Civil War era to life in Frederick County.

1. Explore Civil War Medicine at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine

Located in historic Downtown Frederick, the National Museum of Civil War Medicine offers an in-depth look at the medical practices and innovations that emerged during the Civil War. Through immersive exhibits and artifacts, visitors can gain insight into the challenges faced by medical personnel and the advancements that laid the groundwork for modern medicine.

The historic Carty building in Downtown Frederick houses more than 8,000 square feet of exhibits. The building, built in the 1830s, once housed a furniture and undertaking business during the Civil War and up to the 1960s. 

You'll also find local connections to this story of medical innovation - Frederick's churches, schools, hotels, and private homes became makeshift military hospitals in the fall of 1862 in the aftermath of the Battle of South Mountain and the Battle of Antietam.

Visiting on a weekend? During the warm weather months, the Museum hosts weekend walking tours of the historic district highlighting Civil War hospital sites.

2. Hike Through History atop South Mountain 

Embark on a journey along the Appalachian Trail through South Mountain State Battlefield, where the Battle of South Mountain unfolded on September 14, 1862. The famed trail crosses all three mountain gaps - Turner's, Fox's, and Crampton's - where nearly 50,000 soldiers fought for control of this crucial ridgeline. 

Gathland State Park, situated at Crampton's Gap above Burkittsville, features the War Correspondents Memorial Arch, the only monument dedicated to wartime journalists who risked life and limb to share the story with readers on the home front.

Hikers at the War Correspondent's Memorial Arch and Civil War Trails markers at Gathland State Park. 

South Mountain State Battlefield at Fox's Gap offers trails that traverse key battle sites, allowing hikers to walk in the footsteps of soldiers who fought in this brutal engagement that saw Union forces victorious and setting the stage for the Battle of Antietam three days later. 

This monument to US General Jesse Reno stands in Fox's Gap, near where the officer was mortally wounded on September 14, 1862. 

3. Attend a Civil War-Era Church Service at Historic Rocky Springs Chapel

Experience a slice of 19th-century spiritual life at Historic Rocky Springs Chapel, where Civil War-style church services are held. These services feature period attire, hymns from the era, and sermons originally delivered between 1861 and 1865, providing a unique window into the religious practices of the time. Check the chapel's website and social media for the latest schedule of events. 

The chapel and adjacent schoolhouse also were the setting for a minor skirmish between Union and Confederate soldiers in the days before the Battle of Monocacy in July 1864. 

4. Dine Where History Was Made at Brewer’s Alley

Visit Brewer’s Alley in Downtown Frederick, the site of the city's original town hall and market house.

In July 1864, Confederate General Jubal Early demanded a $200,000 ransom from the City of Frederick, threatening to burn the city if unpaid. The funds were gathered and delivered here, averting disaster on July 9, 1864 as the Battle of Monocacy raged just south of the city.

Today, you can enjoy a meal and craft brew in this historic location that later served as an opera house and theatre while discovering the building's remarkable history with wall displays and posters. 

5. Stay Overnight in a Former Civil War Hospital at Visitation Hotel

Sleep where history happened by staying at the Visitation Hotel in Downtown Frederick.

Originally built in 1846 as a Catholic girls' school and convent, the building served as a military hospital for soldiers wounded at the Battle of South Mountain and the Battle of Antietam in 1862.

Now transformed into a boutique hotel (Frederick's first downtown hotel in more than 50 years), it offers guests a unique opportunity to sleep in a place that once provided care and refuge during one of the nation's most tumultuous times.

This is just scratching the surface - throughout Frederick County, you'll find fascinating stories and remarkable history. The best way to find these stories? Look for the 30+ Civil War Trails markers throughout Frederick County that highlight these stories in unique locations - from courthouse lawns to hillside wineries and charming covered bridges.

Discover how the Civil War shaped Frederick County - and how the history is preserved and shared here in the "Heart of the Civil War." 

Explore more history in Frederick County