Painting the Past | Free
March 24, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Visitor Center
April 28, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Visitor Center
Paint toy soldiers with a ranger at the park’s first paint & take program. Discussions about Civil War uniforms and camp life will take place during the paint sessions. This three-hour program is open to ages eight and above. All materials and instruction will be provided. Seats are limited; reservations are required. Registration begins Feb. 1, 2018. To register, please contact Rangers Matt Borders or Brian Dankmeyer at 301-662-3515.
Stitches in Time | Free
March 17 - Dec. 15, monthly on the third Saturday of each month, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm | Thomas House
Do you enjoy knitting or crochet, or have you ever wanted to learn? Well, grab your knitting/crochet supplies and head to the historic Thomas House for a morning of crafting, creativity and comradery. Work on your own project or something that may be donated to a local charity. Limited knitting/crocheting supplies will be available to borrow on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Park Day | Free
April 7, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm | Visitor Center
This annual event brings history enthusiasts together in an effort to help keep our nation’s heritage not only preserved, but pristine. Since 1996, the Civil War Trust has sponsored Park Day, an annual hands-on preservation event to help Civil War battlefields and historic sites take on maintenance projects, large and small. To participate at Monocacy National Battlefield, arrive at the Visitor Center by 9:00 for sign-in. Activities for this event are to be determined.
National Parks Week | Free | April 21-29
For one week each April, we join with the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, to celebrate our national treasures. National Park Week is a time to explore amazing places and discover the stories of our history and culture. Join us on:
* National Junior Ranger Day - April 21, Junior Ranger educational programs at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 2:00 pm | Visitor Center
* Earth Day - April 22, 12 pm to 4 pm. Learn about creating and promoting healthy critter habitats that can be used in your own backyard | Visitor Center
* National Park Rx Day - Battlefield Hikes, April 29,
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*** 9:00 am - 11:00 am | Visitor Center
*** 11:30 am - 1:30 pm | Worthington Farm (Tour Stop #3)
*** 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Thomas Farm (Tour Stop #4)
Meet at the Visitor Center to caravan to each trail head. Allow two hours for each hike. Closed-toed shoes are recommended along with drinking water, sunscreen, and bug spray for added comfort and protection.
Meet the Authors | Free
May 12, 12:00 pm - 4:30 pm | Thomas Barn
Monocacy National Battlefield in partnership with the Monocacy National Battlefield Foundation and Eastern National, are excited to bring you a unique opportunity to meet authors and experts on the Battle of Monocacy and other local history. This event will include a panel discussion with notable authors, followed by a presentation from keynote speaker Edwin Bearss, former Chief Historian of the National Park Service. Books will be available for purchase and autograph.
Historic House Tours | Free
May 19 | Best House (Tour Stop #1) | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
| Worthington House (Tour Stop #3) | 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
| Thomas House (Tour Stop #4) | 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Each historic farm at Monocacy National Battlefield has a unique history. Get a rare peek inside these historic houses, learn about those who lived there, free and enslaved alike, and how years of war shaped their lives. Each tour is limited to twenty people - reservations are required for each tour. Registration begins April 21, 2018. To register, please contact Rangers Tracy Evans or Brian Dankmeyer at 301-662-3515.
Last Full Measure of Devotion | Free
May 26, Flag Installation - 9:00 am - 11:45 am | Ranger Programs - 11:00 am, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm | Visitor Center
May 27, Ranger Programs - 11:00 am, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm | Visitor Center
May 28, Ranger Programs - 11:00 am, 3:00 pm | Visitor Center
Over Memorial Day weekend, Monocacy National Battlefield will honor the casualties of the Battle of Monocacy by installing 2,200 historic flags. Individuals, groups, or families interested in assisting with the installation of flags should be present to volunteer on May 26 from 9:00 am - 11:45 am. Ranger programs specific to Memorial Day will be presented.
Twilight Hikes | Free
May 29, 7:00 pm | Gambrill Mill
June 30, 7:00 pm | Gambrill Mill
July 28, 7:00 pm | Gambrill Mill
Aug. 25, 6:00 pm | Gambrill Mill
Sept. 29, 6:00 pm | Gambrill Mill
Oct. 27, 5:00 pm | Gambrill Mill
Prowl around the park with a ranger at twilight and search the trails for wildlife. Each hiking program will meet at the Gambrill Mill. Allow up to two hours for each hike. Closed-toed shoes and proper attire based on the weather are recommended along with drinking water and bug spray for added comfort and protection. Registration begins May 1, 2018. To register please contact Rangers Georgia Etter or Matt Borders at 301-662-3515.
Artillery Day | Free
June 9, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm | Visitor Center
September 8, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm | Visitor Center
The thunderous roar of field artillery returns to Monocacy National Battlefield for a day of demonstration and living history. Experience a unique soundscape and learn what it may have been like to serve in the artillery during the Civil War. Artillery firing demonstration will take place at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm.
154th Anniversary of the Battle of Monocacy | Free
July 7 - 8, 9:00 am - 3:30 pm | Visitor Center | Living History
Join the park as we commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Monocacy with military and civilian living history encampments. There will be hands-on activities for kids of all ages. Learn about the battle through our orientation talks at 9:30 am, 11:30 am, and 2:30 pm. Gain an understanding of historic small arms and light field artillery by attending firing demonstrations: Infantry at 10:00 am, 12:30 pm, & 3:00 pm and artillery at 10:30 am, 1:00 pm, & 3:30 pm.
Battlefield Auto Tour (Caravan Style) | Free
July 9, 9:00 am - 11:30 am | Visitor Center
Transport your mind 154 years back in time to the day of the Battle of Monocacy as rangers provide an in-depth tour of the battlefield. Hear the personal experiences of both soldiers and civilians on that blisteringly hot and violent day and walk in the footsteps of the men who fought valiantly to safeguard their homes and country.
Paddling Through the Past | $
July 21, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Pinecliff Park to Buckeystown Park
Canoe/Kayak Tour - Monocacy National Battlefield has teamed up with Frederick County Parks and Recreation to provide a battlefield tour from a different perspective - the Monocacy River. No experience necessary, however, reservations are required. Participants typically meet at Buckeystown Park and ride a shuttle to Pinecliff Park. For more information, pricing, or to register for this adventure, please visit https://www.recreater.com.
Infantry Day | Free
Aug. 11, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm | Visitor Center
Oct. 13, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm | Visitor Center
The rattling of musketry returns to Monocacy National Battlefield for a day of demonstrations and living history. Experience a unique soundscape and learn what it may have been like to serve in the infantry during the Civil War. Infantry firing demonstration will take place at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm.
Founders Day | Free
Aug. 25, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm | Visitor Center
#FindYourPark at Monocacy National Battlefield and join us in celebrating the National Park Service’s 102 years of serving the public. Cupcakes will be provided for the first 102 visitors! Join a ranger to learn more about the history of the National Park Service at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.
Mystery & Myths of Lee’s Lost Orders | Free
September 9, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm | Visitor Center
Did you know General Robert E. Lee’s army camped on this battlefield before it was a battlefield? Learn about this, and the infamous “Lost Orders" of the 1862 Maryland Campaign, which resulted in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. Ranger programs at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 3:00 pm.
National Public Lands Day Historic House Tours | Free
Sept. 22, | Best House (Tour Stop #1) | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
| Worthington House (Tour Stop #3) | 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
| Thomas House (Tour Stop #4) | 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Each historic farm at Monocacy National Battlefield has a unique history. Get a rare peek inside these historic houses, learn about those who lived there, free and enslaved alike, and how years of war shaped their lives. Each tour is limited to twenty people - reservations are required for each tour. Registration begins July 21, 2018. To register, please contact Rangers Tracy Evans or Brian Dankmeyer at 301-662-3515. Participants will receive a coupon for free entrance to any national public lands that have an entrance fee.
Museums by Candlelight | Free
December 8, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm | Gambrill House (Tour Stop #5)
Welcome the holidays by joining us for holiday music and kids crafts at the historic Gambrill House. A limited number of historic house tours will be available every half hour from 12:30 pm to 4:30. Each tour is limited to ten people - reservations are required for each tour. Registration begins on Nov. 1, 2018. To register, please contact Rangers Tracy Evans or Brian Dankmeyer at 301-662-3515.
*All dates and times and are subject to change.
*See us on Facebook @monocacynps for updates and additional information.
Tags: monocacy national battlefield civil war battlefields military heritage travel nr
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
