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.

McCauley Lecture Series Schedule

@Alice Virginia & David W. Fletcher Branch

100 S. Potomac St, Hagerstown MD

Conference Room 308/309

• 10/7 - McCauley Lecture: "The Militia in Early America: A civic duty with ginger bread and hard cider"