Maryland was an early English colony in
the New World and as a result, has a range
of historic buildings, sites and reconstructions
displaying a wealth of history stretching
from the 1630s to present day. Many of
these fascinating places are nearby or
just south on the eastern shore of Virginia
or north of the state line in Delaware.
Berlin -
Maryland
A gem showcasing the early days of Eastern
Shore life, the historic district is lined
with notable homes shaded by old magnolias,
downtown main street is decked out in Victorian
architecture with many quaint shops. The
ideal place for old-fashioned holiday celebrations,
the town hosts special Christmas and Fourth
of July events.
The Boardwalk -
Beachfront from the inlet to 27th Street
/ Ocean City
Since 1903, the Boardwalk has been an attraction
at Ocean City. It began as simply boards
on the sand to keep visitors from burning
their feet on hot summer days, today it’s
the “Boards” where many of the
major action attractions are located as
well as many restaurants, shops and nightclubs.
Historic in its own right, the Boardwalk
also is home to the Life Saving Station
Museum and Trimper’s antique carousel.
The ambience of the Boardwalk runs from
exciting to romantic and is the home of
parades and festivities throughout the
year. With the careful and loving attention
paid to it by Ocean City, the boardwalk
should remain an attraction for at least
the next 100 years!
Calvin B. Taylor
House Museum - 208 N. Main Street
/ Berlin / Maryland / 410-641-1019
As a museum, this 1832 restored Federalist-style
house sits amidst Berlin’s Victorian
splendor. The museum is filled with period
furnishings and displays of local memorabilia.
/ Donations accepted
Costen House
- 206 Market Street / Pocomoke / Maryland
/ 410-957-3110
The Victorian home of Pocomoke’s first
Mayor, the house also has an attractive
garden. The house is decorated and open
for seasonal holidays including Christmas.
/ Regular hours: May - October, Wednesdays
& Saturdays from 1 to 4pm
Chincoteague
- Route 175 off US 13 (south of the state
line) / Virginia
Thirty miles south of Ocean City, just
over the state line in Virginia is Chincoteague,
the home of the Chincoteague National Wildlife
Refuge, the Chincoteague Annual Pony Swim
and Auction, as well as NASAs Wallops Island
Flight Facility. The annual pony swim is
held in July in Chincoteague, check the
Ocean City events calendar for dates.
• Chincoteague
National Wildlife Refuge / 747-336-6122
- The refuge is actually on the southern
end of Assateague Island, the 3.2 mile
wildlife loop is open to walkers and bicycles
all day and automobiles after 3 pm until
dusk.
• NASAs Wallops
Island Flight Facility - Visitor
Center / 757-824-1344 - Visitor
Center has exhibits and displays on America’s
space flight program with video and film
presentations.
Discoveries from
the Sea Museum - above Sea Shell
City / 708 Ocean Highway / Fenwick Island
/ Delaware / 302-539-9366
One of the area's newest museums, this
collection displays shipwreck artifacts,
from bottles and weapons, to navigational
equipment and personal items found on the
sea floor. There is also a large exhibit
of shells and accompanying information.
/ Free admission Open Summer season - 9am
to 9pm / September & October 11am-4pm
/ November through April: Saturday &
Sundays 11am to 4pm
Furnace Town
- 3816 Old Furnace Road, off SR 12 / Snow
Hill / Maryland / 410-632-2032
A re-created 19th-century industrial village
located just north of Snow Hill, features
the Nassawango Iron Furnace. Several associated
town structures that would have built up
around the furnace have been restored or
reconstructed. Living history presentations,
arts, crafts and a nature trail are part
of the complex.
Girdletree
- Route 12 / 5 miles south of Snow Hill
This quaint coastal town has several restored
buildings of interest, including a bank,
church and freight station from the turn
of the 20th century.
• 1902 Girdletree Barnes Bank - 410-632-1641
• 1876 Freight Station
• 1890 Methodist Episcopal Church
Life Saving Station
Museum - South end of Boardwalk
/ Ocean City / Maryland / 410-289-4991
The original 1891 Life Saving Station has
been lovingly restored and given new life
as a museum. Not only does the museum display
the photographs, equipment and memorabilia
of those early heroes who fought the sea
to save lives, there are also photos and
models of former Ocean City hotels and
city structures. The resort life of the
area is further explored with samples and
photos of the evolution of beach attire.
Devastation from the infamous 1933 hurricane
and later destruction from a 1962 storm
are documented and pictured. Shipwreck
artifacts, area wildlife and beach sands
from around the world are also exhibited
in this interesting all-encompassing seaside
museum. Don’t be surprised to find
a mermaid or two among the exhibits. /
Open - June through September 11am to 10
pm / May and October 11am to 4 pm / November
through April 10 am to 4 pm
Julia A. Purnell
Museum - Snowhill / 208 W. Market
Street / Maryland / 410-632-0515
With a focus on Maryland coastal living
over the past 300 years, this museum showcases
the culture and history of the region from
the Colonial period through the 20th century
as well as housing a large collection by
folk artist Julia Purnell. Changing exhibits
include needlecraft displays, homemakers
arts and demonstrations, period holiday
celebrations and juried arts and crafts
exhibitions.
Mt. Zion One Room
School - Ironshire & Church
Streets / Snow Hill / Maryland /
Shown as it functioned in the early 20th
century, this one-room school as been preserved
with all the needed amenities of a typical
schoolhouse. Look for desks, books, lunch
pails and all sorts of memorabilia that
great grandpa may have used when he learned
his three Rs.
Newtown Historic
District - north of Salisbury Parkway
(U.S. 50) / Salisbury / Maryland / 410-548-4914
This Salisbury, Maryland historic area
covers six blocks of 19th century homes
dating from the Federalist period through
the latter years of the century. Self-guided
tour maps and information can be obtained
from the Wicomico County Convention and
Visitors Bureau.
• Poplar Hill Mansion is open to the
public / 410-749-1776
• Art Institute and Gallery / 410-546-4748.
Queponco RR Station
- 8378 Patey Wood Road / Newark / Maryland
/ 410-632-0950
Just a few miles south of Ocean City and
Berlin is a handsomely restored 1910 Pennsylvania
railway station, a great stop for railroad
buffs.
St. Martin's Church
- Routes 113 & 589 / Ocean Pines /
Maryland / 410-641-2452
A charming structure from the Colonial
period, this Flemish bond church was built
in 1756 and has an exposed brick interior,
with hanging pulpit, partitioned pews and
gallery.
Trimper’s
Antique Carousel at Trimper’s Rides
- Boardwalk & S. First Street / Ocean
City / Maryland / 410-289-8617
The Herschell-Spillman carousel is a treasured
Ocean City heirloom that was purchased
by the Trimper family in 1902. Fully restored,
the 45 hand-carved animals proudly promenade
around their circuit, much to the delight
of onlookers and riders alike. Not only
are there prancing horses, there is a camel,
a chicken, an antlered deer, a dog, a dragon,
a frog, a long-necked giraffe, a goat,
a lion, an ostrich, a pig, a tiger and
a zebra, plus three chariots and a rocking
chair. Claim your steed and go for a ride
on one of the oldest continuously operating
carousels in the United States. / Look
for replicas of the hand-carved horses
at The Carousel Shop at 708 S. Atlantic
Avenue, selling collector’s limited
editions reproduced from the Trimper’s
carousel.
Ward Museum of
Wildfowl Art - 909 S. Schumaker
Drive / Salisbury / Maryland / 410-742-4988
Only 30 miles west of North Ocean City
in nearby Salisbury, the Ward Museum of
Wildfowl Art houses one of the world’s
largest collections of waterfowl art including
antique decoys, contemporary sculptures
and paintings. Multiple galleries and displays,
videotape presentations and changing exhibits
include works by noted wildlife artists.
/ Open Monday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm /
Sundays Noon to 5 pm
Wheels of Yesterday Antique & Classic
Cars Museum -12708 Ocean Gateway
(Rt. 50) / Ocean City / Maryland / 410-213-7329
Filled with classic and antique automobiles
and associated items, the exhibits range
from "Jack Benny's" Overland
to an 1830 mail delivery wagon. An additional
museum exhibit includes a '50's Service
Station. / Gift Shop / October through
May - 9am-5pm / June through September
- 9am-9pm
Reserve
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