Page 25 - Baltimore County 2023 Quality of Life Guide & Business Directory

A LEISURE DESTINATION to Remember
The first official mention of Baltimore County dates 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.
But Baltimore County’s present also has lots to offer visitors. Take the State Fairgrounds in Timonium, which draw major audiences for events all year. The Fairgrounds’ crown jewel is the Maryland State Fair in late August, with its agricultural displays, rides, carnival games, horse races and concerts by national headliners.
Come back during the holiday season
for the Festival of Trees, a dazzling extravaganza of Christmas displays! Proceeds from tree and wreath sales benefit the Kennedy Krieger Institute, a nonprofit that serves children and young adults with neurological, rehabilitative or developmental needs.
Major performance venues around the county include the Gordon Center for Performing Arts in Owings Mills, which hosts an eclectic variety of professional entertainment, including music, theater, dance and family programming; the Harold J. Kaplan Concert Hall and Stephens Hall Auditorium at Towson University; and the Kraushaar Auditorium at Goucher College.
Did you know Baltimore County is also home to the country’s biggest movie theater screen? Measuring 52 feet high and 120
feet wide, it entertains viewers at Bengies Drive-In Theatre in Middle River.
Left: Fire Museum of Maryland
Above: Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum
Want to take a stroll through history? Here are a few sites and museums that should not be missed:
FIRE MUSEUM OF MARYLAND
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.”
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.
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!
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.
NATIONAL LACROSSE HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM
Located at the USA Lacrosse national headquarters in Sparks, the museum showcases various pieces of equipment spanning the generations of lacrosse players, including the most recent NCAA champions. You’ll also see uniforms, rings and memorabilia from the U.S. national teams and a display that shows the steps to making a traditional wooden stick.
THE ROBERT W. AND
DIANE E. GIBSON MUSEUM
OF SHEPPARD PRATT
The Sheppard Pratt hospital’s rich history of fighting the stigma against mental illness is showcased with nearly 2,000 artifacts, including books, documents, furniture, artwork and equipment.
HUBERT V. SIMMONS MUSEUM OF NEGRO LEAGUES BASEBALL
This Owings Mills museum preserves the legacy of African American baseball players and their contributions to Major League Baseball as it is today, using five floors of gallery exhibits.
www.baltcountychamber.com 23