Page 37 - Garrett County 2022-2023 Activities Guide

Garrett County’s natural beauty is on display for both visitors and residents today — and it was a draw for America’s first European settlers too.
The early settlers came to mine coal and cut timber. Today, our landscapes, museums and historic sites make it possible for us to retrace their steps, as well as those of the Native Americans who inhabited the land before them.
To get ready for your visit, head to garrettheritage.com, which offers virtual tours, an interactive map and suggested routes for self-guided tours.
Here are just a few places you should definitely add to your history and heritage itinerary:
The Garrett County Historical Society (garrettcountymuseums.com) maintains three museums that celebrate different facets of the area’s heritage:
• The Garrett County Historical Museum in Oakland houses a treasure trove of exhibits related to the founding of Garrett County, the history of the land, and the way of life for Garrett County citizens from years past. One of the signature displays is a replica of a B&O train referred to as “Little Maryland,” which was exhibited at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893.
• The Garrett County Museum of Transportation in Oakland features carriages, sleighs,
buggies, fire department artifacts and automobiles, along with a representation of A.D. Naylor’s Blacksmith Shop, one of the earliest and most prominent businesses in Oakland. The second floor, called the Deep Creek Gallery, hosts a variety of exhibits documenting
the history of Deep Creek Lake and other nearby state parks. In the near future, the museum plans to host educational programming at
a community room in the gallery, while a media-ready room will host lectures, presentations, meetings and other events.
• The Grantsville Museum
is a small community museum dedicated to preserving the photographic legacy of Leo Beachy, a poet and photographer who recorded local history from 1905- 1927.
Oakland B&O Museum (facebook.com/ oaklandbandomuseum)
Garrett County’s history was indelibly shaped by the B&O — both as a center of commerce and as a vacation destination. Trains stopped coming to Oakland in 1971, but the 1884 station building has undergone a complete, historically accurate restoration. One of the most distinguished depots in the country, the station is on the National Register of Historic Places. Check the museum’s Facebook page for seasonal events.
The Historic
National Road (visitmaryland.org/scenic-byways/ historic-national-road)
Originally known as Baltimore National Pike, “The Road That Built the Nation” begins in Baltimore and passes through Garrett
County on its 700-mile route to Vincennes, Ill. The construction of this thoroughfare played a key role in the early development of the nation, creating a gateway from the east to the Midwest. A collection of log houses, some formerly traveler’s lodgings and dating back to the early to mid-1800s, adorn this venerable road.
Garrett County Barn Quilts and Working Farms located throughout Garrett County (garrettbarnquilts.org, garretfarms.org/visitfarms.html)
Explore our scenic byways and sprawling farmlands as you discover more than 40 barn quilts. Each
barn quilt has a unique design. A map and description of each stop leads you on a fun adventure while learning more about our agriculture heritage. Visit one of our many working farms and really get to know our agricultural history and
www.visitdeepcreek.com 35