Washington Monument State Park Museum Re-opens
Park Completely Recovers After Extensive Storm Damage Last Month

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BOONSBORO — The Museum at Washington Monument State Park re-opened on July 3, marking the park’s complete recovery after heavy thunderstorms caused extensive damage in early June.

“Repairs to the museum and the adjacent water treatment plant are complete and the exhibits and the artifacts have been restored,” Park Manager Dan Spedden said.

The 147-acre park in western Maryland was closed for about two weeks after a series of heavy thunderstorms swept through the region, causing extensive damage.

Named for the stone tower erected by Boonsboro in 1827, Washington Monument State Park is believed to be home to the country’s first completed monument to President George Washington, who explored the Upper Potomac and the western Maryland mountains as a young surveyor. The rustic locale features youth group campsites, picnic shelters and playing fields. It’s a favorite of bird watchers because it lies within a migratory bird flyway

The park’s popular youth camp ground was empty when the storm struck on June 4 and there were no injuries to visitors or park personnel. But fierce winds and driving rain knocked out phone, electricity, and water service. Fallen trees and branches blocked the main road and the hiking trail to the monument in several places. The museum and water treatment buildings were severely damaged.

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July 8, 2008

Contact: Wiley Hall 410-260-8002 office  I  410-507-7526 cell whall@dnr.state.md.us

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov