Baltimore County’s Passport to the America 250 Celebration

As Maryland 250 (and America 250) approaches, there’s never been a better time to explore the people, places, and stories that shaped Baltimore County and helped shape the nation. Uncover historic sites, museums, landmarks, and local favorites where the past comes to life.

 

Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum – 300 Oella Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228

Park and museum honoring mathematician, astronomer, and surveyor Benjamin Banneker. Features exhibits, gardens, trails, and interpretation of the former Banneker farmstead.

 

Camp Chapel United Methodist Church – 5000 E Joppa Rd, Perry Hall, MD 21128

Historic church that was the site of United Methodist camp meetings between 1776 and 1801. Francis Asbury, one of the first two bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States, visited frequently.

 

Diggs-Johnson Museum – 2426 Offutt Rd, Woodstock, MD 21163

Community-based museum preserving African American history and heritage in Baltimore County.

 

East Towson Freedom Trail – From Historic Hampton to Historic East Towson

Walking trail interpreting the history of one of the oldest free Black communities in Maryland.

 

The Fire Museum of Maryland – 1301 York Road, Lutherville, MD 21093

Museum featuring historic firefighting apparatus and interactive exhibits on Maryland fire service history.

 

Fort Garrison – 9000 Garrison Forest Road, Pikesville, MD 21208

Site of a small frontier fort used during the French and Indian War, with reconstructed earthworks and interpretive signage.

 

Fort Howard Park – 9500 North Point Road, Edgemere, MD 21219

Former coastal defense fort later used as a military hospital; now a waterfront park with historic remnants.

 

Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum – 701 Wilson Point Road, Middle River, MD 21220

Museum at Martin State Airport preserving Maryland’s aviation history and the legacy of the Glenn L. Martin Company.

 

Hampton National Historic Site – 535 Hampton Lane, Towson, MD 21286

One of the nation’s largest historic estates, built by the Ridgely family in the late 18th century and preserved by the National Park Service.

 

Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River – 516 Eastern Boulevard, Essex, MD 21221

Local history museum preserving the maritime, industrial, and community heritage of Essex and Middle River.

 

Historical Society of Baltimore County – 9811 Van Buren Lane, Cockeysville, MD 21030

Research library, museum, and archives preserving Baltimore County’s documentary and genealogical history.

 

Hubert V. Simmons Museum of Negro Leagues Baseball – 10302 Grand Central Avenue, Owings Mills, MD 21117

Museum preserving the history and legacy of Negro Leagues baseball and Maryland’s contributions to the sport.

 

Jericho Covered Bridge – 12228 Jericho Rd, Kingsville, MD 21087

The last remaining covered bridge in Harford or Baltimore counties crosses the little Gunpowder Falls on Jericho Road about 300 yards downstream from Jerusalem Mill. Thomas F Forsyth built the 99 foot Burr truss bridge in 1865 as a cooperative effort between Baltimore and Harford Counties at a total cost of $3,125. See also Jerusalem Mill Village.

 

Lake Roland – 1000 Lakeside Drive, Baltimore, MD 21210

Historic reservoir established in 1861 to supply Baltimore’s water. Now a park with Civil War-era rail history, trails, and nature programming.

 

Manor Mill  – 2029 Monkton Road, Monkton, MD 21111

Restored 18th-century grist mill now serving as a community arts and cultural center.

 

Marshy Point Nature Center – 7130 Marshy Point Road, Middle River, MD 21220

Waterfront nature center with exhibits and trails highlighting Chesapeake Bay ecology and maritime heritage.

 

Mount Gilboa Chapel – 2312 Westchester Avenue, Catonsville, Maryland 21228

The Mount Gilboa Chapel, built in 1799, is the oldest among the 31 historically African American churches in Baltimore County.

 

Natural History Society of Maryland – 6908 Belair Rd #1122, Baltimore, MD 21206

Now in its 97th year, the museum offers a natural history exhibit, family-friendly programming, education courses, lectures, and workshops taught by experts, and more.

 

Oregon Ridge Park – 13401 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030

Former iron ore mining site turned park and nature center, highlighting Civil War-era industrial history.

 

Perry Hall Mansion – 3930 Perry Hall Road, Perry Hall, MD 21128

The Perry Hall Mansion is one of the most important landmarks in Baltimore County, as it is the oldest standing home in the community and one of the last remaining colonial homes in the County.

 

Pikesville Armory – 610 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208

The Pikesville Armory, built in 1903, is the second oldest armory in Maryland. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its military and community significance and for training units that played a key role in D-Day.

 

Reisterstown Heritage Walking Trail – Begins near Main Street & Cockeys Mill Road, Reisterstown, MD 21136

Self-guided walking trail interpreting 18th- and 19th-century architecture and the founding of Reisterstown.

 

Thomas Viaduct – 8020 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21043 (nearest park access)

Completed in 1835 for the B&O Railroad, this eight-arch granite bridge is the oldest multi-arched stone railroad bridge in the United States still in active rail service.

 

Todd’s Inheritance – 9000 North Point Road, Sparrows Point, MD 21219

18th-century farmhouse associated with the War of 1812 and preserved as a community museum.

 

Towson Walking Tour – Downtown Towson (self-guided; begins near Courthouse Square)

Self-guided tour highlighting Towson’s evolution from 18th-century village to County seat.

 

Turner Station History Center – 201 Wise Avenue, Dundalk, MD 21222

Community history center preserving the story of Turner Station, a significant African American industrial community tied to Bethlehem Steel.