Arrive - Summer/Fall 2016

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Founded in 1762, the city of Hager- stown has long been a destination for students of American history who go in search of visiting its most decisive moments. The sixth largest incorporat- ed city in Maryland, Hagerstown and the surrounding county was also the
crossroads of the Civil War due to its location at the border
between the Union and Confederacy, and because crucial
moments in the conflict, including the battles of Antietam,
South Mountain and Hagerstown, took place within its
borders. But residents and many visitors may know that
the city has also fostered a thriving cultural scene, which
has spawned such notable institutions as the Maryland
Theatre, the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts,
the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, and a vibrant array of
eateries and retail locations.

This year, Hagerstown and Washington County cele-
brate four major anniversaries that showcase the diversity of
its attractions. The centennial of the National Park Service
will be honored at the county’s five national parks, includ-
ing the Antietam National Battlefield, Appalachian Trail
and Harper’s Ferry National Historical Park. The Maryland
Symphony Orchestra, long considered one of the area’s
most remarkable cultural treasures, marks its 35th anniver-
sary, while the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts
and its nationally recognized collection of American art, Old
Masters and decorative art, notes its 85th anniversary.
And, one of Maryland’s National Historic Landmarks,
the Fort Frederick State Park, which was constructed in
1756 to defend the region during the French and Indian War,
celebrates its 260th anniversary. Each of these observances
underscores Hagerstown and Washington County’s status as
the home of some of Maryland’s most enduring attractions.
PRESENT HISTORY

Hagerstown and Washington County, Maryland, offer attractions for
Americana buffs and culture mavens alike

FROM LEFT: An aerial view of Hagerstown and Washington County’s five national parks; inside the Washington County
Museum of Fine Arts; the Maryland Symphony Orchestra marks it 35th anniversary this year.