Museums by Candlelight

A Free Holiday Program For All Ages

Once a year, Frederick County’s numerous historic sites and museums provide visitors with a living reminder of this area's splendid past. During Museums by Candlelight, special programming and hands-on fun will delight visitors of all ages, and special children's activities are featured at most locations.

This is a self-guided event. Visit many locations, or just a few, in any order. Enjoy period demonstrations, living history vignettes, hands-on crafts, refreshments, tours, music, holiday decorations and historic settings by candlelight as night falls.

Participating Sites

Brunswick Heritage Museum

Catoctin Iron Furnace at Cunningham Falls State Park

Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Collier’s Log House

C. Burr Artz Public Library

Central Maryland Heritage League, Lamar Surgical Suite

Creeger House

Delaplaine Arts Center

Evangelical Lutheran Church

Gambrill 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

Seton Shrine

South Mountain Heritage Society at Resurrection Reformed Church

Steiner House

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

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. Brunswick’s Hometown Holidays and other events are scheduled throughout downtown.

C. Burr Artz Public Library

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

Exhibit displays of local photographer Harriet Wise. H&F Railway Society display highlighting the history of the electric railway that operated between 1896 and 1961. 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. Display of collectible and loved 20th century dolls.

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.

Catoctin Iron Furnace at Cunningham Falls State Park

Route 806, Catoctin Furnace Village, Thurmont, 301-271-7574 • 10am–5pm

Cunningham Falls State Park, in partnership with Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, host Ranger led tours of the Furnace site and moulding demonstrations (weather permitting).
Tours begin at the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society.

Central Maryland Heritage League, Lamar Surgical Suite

200 W. Main St., Middletown, 301-371-7090 • 12–5pm

Tour the Lamar Surgical Suite Museum. Dr. A. A. Lamar’s medical center provided family medical practice and surgical services to the rural Middletown Valley until his death in 1932. The museum is maintained by the Central Maryland Heritage League.

Creeger House

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

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

Delaplaine Arts Center

40 S. Carroll St., Frederick, 301-698-0656 • 12–5pm

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. Join us for drop-in, self-guided art activities 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.

Gambrill House at Monocacy National Battlefield

4801 Urbana Pke., Frederick, 301-662-3515 • 12–5pm

Visitors are invited to Gambrill House to view period decorations, which will deck the halls of the historic 19th 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.

Hood College

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

Visit the Beneficial-Hodson Library on the Hood College campus to view the annual crèche exhibit, showcasing nativity scenes created and collected from around the world. Coffee and tea will be served.

Middletown Valley Historical Society

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

Join us at the Museum of Frederick County History for some holiday cheer. 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.

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 throughout the museum 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. Items for sale include scherenschnitte ornaments, pottery, and beeswax candles.

Seton Shrine

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

Enjoy guided tours of the candlelit historic homes and Basilica, decorated for the Christmas season. Walk the grounds surrounded by 1,000 luminaries. Guided tours starting at 10:30am and make-and-take Christmas crafts. 4:30–7pm: Door to Bethlehem An adaptation of the Las Posadas Christmas tradition, visitors join Mary and Joseph as they search for a place to rest on their journey to Bethlehem. The tours begin at 4:30pm, with a new tour every 15 minutes, and the last tour at 6:30pm.

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 unique ornament to take home.