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Visit the Western Maryland Room at WCFL

About the Western Maryland Room

The John Clinton Frye Western Maryland Room was established in 1968 to provide and preserve historical information about our region. The Room contains approximately 10,000 books and over 400 cubic feet of archival material including maps, newspapers, photographs, ledgers, manuscripts, ephemera, and a limited number of artifacts covering the Cumberland and Shenandoah Valleys; all of Western Maryland, including Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties; plus Frederick and Carroll Counties in Central Maryland. Some material is also included for all counties adjacent to those five Maryland counties in the three surrounding states of Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

Highlights of the WMR Collection

Highlighted in the collection are a large Civil War research collection, a family research (genealogy) collection, and a substantial holding of information on canals, railroads, local culture and industry. Numerous yearbooks from schools located in Washington County are also part of the collection. The WMR sponsors the Robert H. McCauley Historical Lecture Series and holds workshops on genealogy topics and caring for archival materials such as photographs and rare books.

We invite you to contact us with questions or visit to explore our historical library and archives!

Support the WMR

If you would like to support the Western Maryland Room, consider joining the Friends of the WMR who provide financial support for the publications of such books as:

  • St. Mary’s Catholic Church Records 1818 – 1900
  • Beaver Creek Evangelical Church Records 1844–1917
  • Washington County Obituary Locator 1790-2003

Please call 301-739-3250 for more information on joining the Friends.

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Contact Us

Contact the Western Maryland Room at 301-739-3250 or at westmdroom@washcolibrary.org

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Hours of Operation

Monday: CLOSED

Tuesday: 10-2 pm & 4-8 pm

Wednesday: CLOSED

Thursday: 10-6 pm

Friday: 2-6 pm

Appointments are encouraged if you would like research assistance when you are here.

Questions

We invite you to contact us with questions or visit to explore our historical library and archives! Appointments are encouraged if you would like research assistance during your visit.

 
Monthly Events

The Western Maryland Room's longstanding McCauley Lecture series continues this month with a lecture on Monday, October 7 at 6 PM in the downtown Fletcher Library Community Room. 

Washington County Genealogical Society meets in the Western Maryland Room the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 7 pm - 8:30 pm.

Questions about the WC Genealogical Society? Contact Carol Miller-Schultz at 301-791-2585.

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McCauley Lecture Series Schedule

@Alice Virginia & David W. Fletcher Branch

100 S. Potomac St, Hagerstown MD

Conference Room 308/309

 

Featured Resources from the Western Maryland Room

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Western Maryland Room Vertical Files

Our vertical file is a large local history subject file collection. View this resource to learn about a variety of topics.

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Processed Collections

Find our processed archival collections catalogued in the Library Catalog. Search the Classic Polaris Catalog and click on All items and chose W. Md. Room items. Search Collection, and you will find a number of them listed.

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New Books at the Western Maryland Room

Find the newest materials added to the Western Maryland Room in the catalog.