Museums by Candlelight

Participating Sites

Brunswick Heritage Museum

Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Collier’s Log House

C. Burr Artz Public Library

Creeger House

Delaplaine Arts Center

Evangelical Lutheran Church

Thomas House at Monocacy National Battlefield

Hood College

Middletown Valley Historical Society

Museum of Frederick County History

National Museum of Civil War Medicine

Schifferstadt Architectural Museum

National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Steiner House

The Children’s Museum, Rose Hill Manor Park & Museums

Myersville Community Library

South Mountain Heritage Society, located at Resurrection Reformed Church​

Special Programs

Brunswick Heritage Museum

40 W. Potomac St., Brunswick, 301-834-7100 • 10am–4pm

The museum is comprised of the C&O Canal Visitor Center and museum store on the first floor, history of Brunswick on the second, and a large, HO scale model train layout on the third. After visiting the museum, enjoy Brunswick’s Hometown Holidays and other events scheduled throughout the downtown area.

 

C. Burr Artz Public Library

110 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 301-600-1368 • 10am–5pm

Exhibit by Frederick Plein Air Artists. Writers, including historians Jim Rada and Bob O’Connor, discuss, sign, and sell their books at a ‘Local Authors Showcase’ from 11am-4pm. Harp and Flugelhorn Concert at 1 pm. Holiday Diversity Fair from 1-4, including AARCH. Multi-branch exhibit “In Freedom’s Name: Maryland’s Black Men and Women and Their Defense of Liberty” at Frederick, Brunswick, Thurmont, Urbana, and Walkersville. Each library features a different period of history.

 

Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Collier’s Log House

12607 Catoctin Furnace Rd., Thurmont, 443-629-8661 • 12–5pm

The Catoctin Furnace Historical Society welcomes visitors to the ca. 1810 Collier’s Log House in the Village of Catoctin Furnace.  Baked goods and free children’s activities. Design and purchase the perfect holiday wreath with fresh greenery, holly, pine cones, ribbon and bows, and all sorts of adornments. Volunteers will make the wreath while you wait. Self-guided tours of the village will be available.

 

Creeger House

11 N. Church St., Thurmont, 301-271-1860 • 12–7pm

Visit with a magical Santa, engage in an activity for children, and tour the decorated rooms of the historic Creeger House, built in 1876.

 

Delaplaine Arts Center

40 S. Carroll St., Frederick, 301-698-0656 • 11–5pm

The Delaplaine Arts Center provides the Frederick region with educational opportunities and experiences in the visual arts through classes, exhibits, and programs. The historic mill building now houses art exhibits and classes. Drop-in, self-guided art activities offered  throughout the day.

 

Evangelical Lutheran Church

31 E. Church St., Frederick, 301-663-6361 • 12–4pm

Tour the sanctuary and learn about how the current church

was used as a temporary military hospital following the Civil

War battles of South Mountain and Antietam. Hear about other historic features of the current church, including the Möller pipe organ and stained-glass windows.

 

Hood College

401 Rosemont Ave., Frederick,  301-696-3909 • 8am–7pm

Visit the Beneficial-Hodson Library to view our annual crèche exhibit, which displays nativity scenes created and collected from around the world.  Coffee and tea will be served. The library is the first building on the right, just past the entrance on Main Campus Drive from Rosemont Ave.

 

Middletown Valley Historical Society Stone House Museum

305 W. Main St., Middletown, 301-371-6410 • 12–5pm

Historic 1820s era home will be traditionally decorated for the holidays, offering tours of the house and summer kitchen, including local historical artifacts, and interpretive programs. Refreshments available.

 

Museum of Frederick County History

24 E. Church St., Frederick, 301-663-1188 • 12–7pm

Hear the tales of historic holiday and winter traditions of Frederick County, take part in Festival of Trees by voting for your favorite decorated tree, and join us for cocoa with Santa from 2-4 pm.

 

Myersville Community Library

8 Harp Place, Myersville.  301-600-8350 • 11am-5pm

Join members of the H&F Railway Historical Society inside an original 1918 trolley for an artifact and photograph display and discussion telling the history and importance of the electric railway that once served Frederick and Washington Counties from 1896 to 1961.

 

National Museum of Civil War Medicine

48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, 301-695-1864 • 10am–7pm

Living historians from the Blue and Gray Hospital Association will be on the second floor conference room portraying surgeons, stewards, and nurses from the American Civil War. Learn about the history of our nation’s bloodiest conflict and the medical innovations that continue to save lives today.

 

Schifferstadt Architectural Museum

1110 Rosemont Ave., Frederick, 301-668-6088 • 12–6pm

A fun and traditional way to celebrate the holidays at Schifferstadt. Activities include kids’ crafts, carols, demonstrations, tours, and maybe a few surprises. The gift shop will be open with an assortment of holiday gift items for sale.

 

Seton Shrine

339 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, 301-447-6606 • 10am–7pm

Enjoy living history tours of the candlelit historic homes and Basilica, decorated for the Christmas season. Walk the grounds surrounded by 1,000 luminaries. Visit website, setonshrine.org, for tour times.

 

South Mountain Heritage Society, located at Resurrection Reformed Church

3 E. Main St., Burkittsville, 240-818-1610 • 12–5pm

Discover the history of Burkittsville, one of Frederick County's best-preserved rural communities, at South Mountain Heritage Society. Located in the historic Resurrection Reformed Church, built in 1829, the museum will be trimmed with period decorations and visitors can listen to carols played on the museum's Pomplitz and Rodewald Pipe Organ. Refreshments will be available and children can make a holiday ornament to take home.

 

Steiner House

368 West Patrick St., Frederick,  301-846-0430 • 12–5pm

Historic home built by Stephen Steiner in 1807 and an outstanding example of colonial design. Tour guides will be dressed in period clothing and there will be games for children.

 

The Children’s Museum, Rose Hill Manor Park & Museums

1611 N. Market St., Frederick, 301-600-2743 • 12–7pm

Discover holiday traditions and enjoy a hearth cooking demonstration based on recipes used during the 1920s, when Rose Hill was a Tea Room & Inn.

 

Thomas House at Monocacy National Battlefield

4 Urbana Pke., Frederick, 301-662-3515 • 12–5pm

Visitors are invited to Thomas House to view period decorations, which will deck the halls of the historic 18th century home. During the open house, children can make a handmade craft and play with games and toys similar to those of 150 years ago. Handicap parking available at 5632 Araby Church Rd.