In the fall of 2003 Chamber of Commerce members George Crouse and George Naylor initiated plans to study and develop a Taneytown-based museum and visitor center. In January 2004 a lease was negotiated with the City of Taneytown to use the city-owned building at 24 East Baltimore Street for the purpose of establishing the Taneytown History Museum and Visitor Center and Chamber of Commerce office. The Taneytown History Museum obtained non-profit status under the Carroll County Community Foundation.

Modifications began immediately—one door and one wall removed, one wall and one door added, a little plaster work, some paint, help from a carpet professional—and the building was readied for the first displays. Time was short, as Taneytown’s 250th Anniversary celebration was coming up in August.

As the building was being prepared, the curator was busy making contacts and researching the location of artifacts. Others were busy building display cases and planning the opening. A call went out for volunteer docents. The Museum Committee members each had a job to do!

On August 1, 2004 the Museum opened to the public. Just in time for Taneytown’s 250th Celebration, it was a grand day!

In 2012 the Museum was cited by an individual as not compliant with present handicap accessibility standards. The building lease with the City of Taneytown was also about to expire. The Museum found itself homeless! The exhibits, nearly all of which were on loan, needed to be returned to the owners and the fixtures were placed in storage.

Realizing the Taneytown Heritage Committee and the Taneytown History Museum shared many common interests, goals and members, the Museum Committee voted to combine efforts and merged with the Taneytown Heritage Committee in 2013.

The Taneytown Heritage and Museum Association, Inc. was very fortunate in October, 2013 to be the beneficiary of a gift of the property at 340 East Baltimore Street in Taneytown. It was a very well-maintained home and had historic interest as it was formerly Taneytown’s Hudson car dealership. Since that time plans and work have been underway to make the necessary changes to make it a safe, handicap accessible facility to house the Museum, which is now open to the public.

Volunteers, Loaners and Donors

The Taneytown History Museum is an entirely volunteer community project. There are no paid employees. Many hours of community members volunteer time are devoted to research, planning, executing and setting up exhibits.  If interested  in being a volunteer please call Pam Reed at 410-984-2427.

Nearly all the artifacts on display in Museum exhibits are on loan. Limited storage space and budget restraints make permanent collections very difficult. The Museum does have a reference library and strives to collect and preserve paper memorabilia and ephemera pertaining to Taneytown and the surrounding area. These items are cataloged and are available for research. If you have artifacts or ephemera you would like to loan or donate, please see Contact Us, and the Museum Exhibits and Accessions Committee will contact you.

The Museum Committee

The Taneytown Heritage and Museum Association Museum Committee meets monthly, more frequently when needed, to plan and implement museum exhibits, initiate fund-raising activities and maintain the property. The chairman is Carroll Hahn. Committee members are:  Sandy Crouse, Fairy Flickinger, Elaine Hoover, Nancy Eyler and Peggy Keeney.