Marking Time
Commemorative events

May
19 — Stop by the ribbon cutting for the new Washington Monument Museum. The event will feature period music, food and historic displays.

June
9-10 — Visit Blue and Gray Days at Point Lookout State Park to see artillery and infantry demonstrations, a parade and evening programs at Fort Lincoln.

13-19 — Experience the 2012 Sailabration, as Operation Sail Inc., Baltimore City and the US Navy commemorate the War of 1812. The Navy and international tall sailing ships will visit the Inner Harbor and Chesapeake Bay, and the Blue Angels will perform.

16-17 — Visit Hagerstown City Park to participate in First Call weekend. This call to arms is a fun and informative kick-off to the events happening in the heart of the Civil War Heritage Area in Washington, Frederick and Carroll Counties.

September
2 — Witness the Defenders Day reenactment of the Battle of North Point at North Point State Park in early September. The Todd’s Inheritance House will also be open to the public with limited hours.

8-9 — Check out the Maryland, My Maryland Civil War reenactment in Boonsboro. This event includes over 3,000 participants and commemorates the South Mountain and Antietam battles.

14-15 — Enjoy Living History presentations at South Mountain State Battlefield, where a Union victory led President Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.

Locations

Fort Frederick State Park 11100 Fort Frederick Road, Big Pool 301-842-3974
South Mountain State Battlefield 6620 Zittlestown Road, Middletown 301-791-4767
Gathland State Park 900 Arnoldstown Road, Burkittsville 301-791-4767
Patapsco Valley State Park 8020 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City 410-461-5005
Point Lookout State Park 11175 Point Lookout Road, Scotland 301-872-5688
North Point State Park 2813 Jerusalem Road, Kingsville 410-592-2897
The Fort McHenry National Monument 2400 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore 410-962-4290
Hagerstown City Park 501 Virginia Avenue, Hagerstown 301-739-8577
Calvert Marine Museum 14200 Solomons Island Road, Solomons 410-326-2042
Maryland State House 100 State Circle, Annapolis 410-974-3400

Anytime

Explore the South Mountain Recreation Area with the help of the 2012 Adventure Guide.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/western/southmountain

Check out the Maryland State House wooden dome in Annapolis (the largest and oldest in the country), which was used to observe British movements on the Chesapeake during the War of 1812.

Visit the monuments at Gathland State Park, once the mountain home of Civil War journalist and architect George Alfred Townsend.

See the Concord Point Lighthouse in Havre de Grace where the British bombarded Americans on May 3, 1813.

Learn about Point Lookout’s part in the War of 1812. This land served as a staging area for local militia and temporary base for nearly 3,000 British troops who raided St. Mary’s County.

Travel to Patapsco Valley State Park for Civil War history at the Thomas Viaduct. In 1861 cannons were placed on hills overlooking the viaduct and railroad junction. The Baltimore County side became Fort Dix, the Howard County side became Camp Essex.

Take tours and hikes and see living history displays on select weekends at South Mountain State Battlefield.

Participate in the Confederate Memorial Service at Point Lookout State Park, featuring encampments, sutlers and displays from heritage, historical, genealogical and preservation organizations.

Tour the Star-Spangled Banner Byway from Solomons to Baltimore. Follow a scenic, 100-mile trail that takes history buffs to the waning days of the War of 1812. byways.org/explore/byways/2274/directions.html

Stop by the Calvert Marine Museum War of 1812 exhibit in Solomons, which includes artifacts recovered from the US Chesapeake Flotilla, which fought in the Battle of St. Leonard Creek.

Visit Point Lookout State Park for a look at a Civil War prison. An onsite museum recounts this vivid history and character portrayals of Confederate soldiers will be featured throughout the summer.

Learn about the Battle of North Point, which took place at about 3 a.m. on September 12, 1814. After defeating the Americans but failing to outflank the city defenses at Hampstead Hill, British troops withdrew and re-embarked on September 15.

Join the Maryland Park Service Park Quest. This year’s family adventure features a Battlefield Quest at South Mountain State Battlefield.

Visit the Star-Spangled Banner Geotrail, a unique journey where participants can explore more than 30 forts, museums, battlefields, ships, parks and preserves, each with its own War of 1812 story. Register and access the Star-Spangled Banner map at geocaching.com.

Explore Fort McHenry, which served as the cornerstone of Baltimore’s defenses during September, 1814. The U.S. flag flew over this fort, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write the words that became our National Anthem.

At press time, many events were in planning stages and are subject to change. For current information, contact the event location or visit dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/civilwar.asp.

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