Page 26 - Baltimore County 2022 Quality of Life Guide & Business Directory

FIRE MUSEUM OF MARYLAND
EXPERIENCE THE PAST UP CLOSE
Baltimore County’s territory was first explored by the famous John Smith himself, who traveled down the
Patapsco as far as Catonsville in June 1608.
The first official mention of Baltimore County dates a few decades later, to 1659, when a writ was issued establishing the county. While its territory shifted with time — several other counties and Baltimore City were split off later — it still encompasses nearly 700 square miles and is home to
more than 800,000 people, placing it among both the largest and most populous areas of Maryland.
With so much history to draw from, it’s no wonder Baltimore County’s towns and back roads are lined with significant sites where the past comes to life, including 93 sites that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Here are just a few striking sites and museums in Baltimore County that can’t be missed.
Hampton National
Historic Site
In the late 1700s, Hampton was quite possibly the largest home in America. Today, it stands as one of the grandest examples of late-Georgian architecture.
The grounds around the mansion are home to several state champion trees, a falling garden and dozens of historic structures, including former slave quarters. The story of the slaves and indentured servants who built and worked on the property has been more recently researched and woven openly into its history.
Fire Museum of Maryland Benjamin Banneker Historical
One of the largest fire museums in the country, the Fire Museum of Maryland showcases 250 years of American firefighting history. Come see historic hand-pumped engines, as well as horse- drawn, steam-powered and motorized vehicles, including a one-of-a-kind 1913 Ahrens-Fox Continental Model A, plus a dazzling array of hoses, helmets, hydrants, alarms and axes. The Discovery Room has pint-sized turnout gear for kids to wear and a real engine for them to “drive.”
Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum
Get an up-close look at the county’s aviation history with a dozen planes
as well as hundreds of artifacts that illuminate the history of African American aviation, the Maryland Air National Guard and visionary aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin. During the holiday season, come see the museum’s train garden!
GLENN L. MARTIN MARYLAND AVIATION MUSEUM
Park and Museum
This 142-acre site tells the inspiring story of Benjamin Banneker, the son of a former slave who is often considered the first African American man of science. Visit a split-log colonial cabin furnished with reproduced artifacts, stroll a colonial herb and vegetable garden
or discover the restored 19th-century farmhouse where Banneker lived. Call ahead for specially tailored tours focused on Banneker’s life and work, or on the experience of living in colonial America.
Ballestone/Stansbury House
Fun fact: The “Ballestone” in this Federal- style mansion’s double name is the result of an incorrect title search in the 1970s. So while it is sometimes known as “Ballestone Manor,” its actual name is “Stansbury House.” Whatever you call it, the home is well worth seeing for its displays of early American art, covering the period between 1780 and 1880. Visit the grounds for Civil War reenactments, tea plate luncheons and Holiday Holly tours.
Historical Society of Baltimore County Museum The museum is located in the historic Cockeysville Almshouse and retraces several fascinating periods of American history, including the women’s suffrage movement. In the early 1960s, the building’s basement was converted into a Civil Defense Fallout Shelter that retains its original appearance to this day.
24 Quality of Life Guide and Business Directory
HISTORY