SAVE THE DATE: BOXES AND BAGS BINGO FUNDRAISER IS BACK! FEBRUARY 26, 2022, MORE INFO TO FOLLOW
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Welcome
The Historical Society of Mount Airy, MD. Inc. was established in 1998 by Travis Norwood and Mayor Jerry Johnson. Its mission is to foster interest in the town history and its various historic landmarks. Our main goals are to establish and maintain a museum for the preservation and the display of artifacts, photographs and other historic memorabilia related to the Town’s history, and to educate the public about our history. The Historical Society manages the museum, caboose, and Rails to Trails. Check our links above to explore further.
Wanted! Any information you can provide on the people, places or events in these pictures!
The Historical Society of Mount Airy, Maryland is looking for referenced, researched, verifiable documentaries, presentations, reports, etc. on the history of Mount Airy. Please submit to us for consideration as exhibits, presentations at our meetings, or articles for the newsletter. You can submit to our email address. Thank you.
Announcements & Events
1 raffle ticket
6 raffle tickets
Christmas Quilt Raffle
The Historical Society will once again raffle off a blue ribbon winning quilt made by the Animal Health Center's very own Nanci O'Brien. This year's quilt measures 34 1/2" x 34 1/2" and features a reindeer in flight over a Christmas town. Tickets are $5.00 each or 6 tickets for $25.00.
Tickets may be purchased on this website or in person at the Blossom and Basket Boutique or at the Historical Society Museum. When you buy your ticket online you will automatically be entered into the drawing. Drawing will be December 12, 2021. Winner will be notified
The Mount Airy Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays 12 noon until 4 p.m., and from 3-7 pm on Wednesdays when the Farmer's Market is open
Please, observe social distancing; face masks are now optional for your safety. You can contact us at historicalsocietyofmountairy@earthlink.net.
Historical Society of
Mount Airy, Maryland, Inc.
History of the Museum
The Mount Airy Museum was established in 1998 in the Main Street level of the Flat Iron Building by Mayor Gerald "Jerry" Johnson and Travis and Virginia Norwood. In 2006, the museum was renovated to include better lighting, heating and air conditioning, and restroom facilities. The reopening ceremony was conducted on October 10, 2006. The ribbon was cut by Mr. Oscar Baker and Mrs. Pat Norwood. Attending were the outgoing and incoming Mayors, James Holt and Frank Johnson; and Town Council Members, Peter Helt, Wendi Peters and Dave Pyatt. Hosting were Historical Society President, Mike Eacho (not shown); Vice President, Pete Bowlus, Treasurer, Pat Norwood,Secretary, B.J. Dixon (not shown), and Clarice Runkles, board member (not shown).
The Mount Airy Museum Reopening Ribbon Cutting
In 2017, the Town of Mount Airy purchased the old Mount Airy Station as the new home for the Mount Airy Museum. The old train station, located at 1 N. Main Street, was built in 1869. The original, central portion was used as a freight house. Additions were made to each of its ends in 1876. A wooden passenger facility was added to the west end of the station in 1882. In the early 1900s the wooden passenger structure was replaced by the brick structure, which is now home to the Med One Mount Airy Pharmacy.
The Mount Airy Station was designed by E. Francis Baldwin, railroad designer of trains and stations, including the stations at Sykesville, Ellicott City, Rockville, Gaithersburg and Brunswick. The Mount Airy Station is a long single-story brick combination station, meaning it served both passengers and freight. It has a fairly conventional single-story layout. The station includes rather ornate brickwork and wood roof braces, which can be seen on the station’s exterior.
Wooden passenger waiting room of Mount Airy Station circa 1900
Construction of the brick passenger waiting room circa 1904
now home to the Med One Mount Airy Pharmacy
Rear of Mount Airy Station circa 1900
Mount Airy Station circa 1940.
Renovation of the train station by the town began shortly after the purchase and continued through the summer of 2018. The grand opening of the new Mount Airy Museum was held on August 26, 2018. It was dedicated to Councilman Ken Phebus, who worked so hard to accomplish the purchase. The opening ceremony included a ribbon cutting for the renovated train station. This ribbon was cut by Mayor Pat Rockinberg and Town Councilmen Peter Helt, Bob King, Larry Hushour, Jason Poirier and former Councilman Ken Phebus.
Ribbon cutting for the new Mount Airy Museum was then conducted. Cutting the ribbon for the museum grand opening was Mrs. Helen Simpson, Mr. Oscar Baker, Diann Linton, B.J. Dixon and Mike Eacho. The ribbon was held by Councilmen Peter Helt and Larry Hushour.
The Mount Airy Station now provides a beautiful facility for the Mount Airy Museum to tell the history of our town.
Mount Airy Station Ribbon Cutting
Mount Airy Museum Ribbon Cutting