Patapsco Valley State Park Seeks Photos, Memories Of Union Dam

Ellicott City, Md. (March 17, 2011) — Patapsco Valley State Park is seeking the public’s help to preserve the rich history of Union Dam. Although the dam is now gone from the Patapsco River, park officials would like to keep its memory alive with a riverside display made up of visitors’ stories and photos.

The dam was removed last fall as part of a larger river restoration project. The park is in the process of creating interpretive panels to tell the story of Union Dam and share some information on the mill race and the history of manufacturing along the Patapsco River.

Park officials ask that anyone with pictures of the mills and mill families in Daniels, Oella, Ellicott City, Illchester, or Avalon share that history with park visitors to enjoy forever. The park project is focused on the Mills of Oella for the Union Dam interpretive panels, however all information on the Patapsco mills is welcome.

E-mail photos and stories to macooper@dnr.state.md.us or rmelton@dnr.state.md.us or stop by park headquarters at 8020 Baltimore National Pike in Ellicott City. Please call 410-461-5005 in advance of a visit so a staff member can be available to record your story. Photographs will be scanned and returned, unless you wish to donate them to the park’s archives.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million 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 11 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