About
3711 Maryland Avenue, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Center Hours (Admission to the museum is free):
Wed-Thurs: 10am-3pm
Fri-Su: 10am-5pm
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Main Phone : 410-313-1945
Closed: January 1, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, June 19, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and December 25.
Museum Information
The Baltimore and Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum is the oldest railroad station in America!
The B&O Ellicott City Station Museum is the terminus of the first 13 miles of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Named for its point of origin, Baltimore, and its intended destination, the Ohio River, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was founded in 1827 as the first common carrier railroad in the United States.
Passenger services to Ellicott City (then Ellicott’s Mills) began in May 1830. Originally, horse-drawn rail cars were used to travel between Baltimore and Ellicott’s Mills. In August 1830, the B&O demonstrated the first American-built steam locomotive, known as the Tom Thumb, at Ellicott's Mills.
Built in 1831, The Ellicott City station was originally designed as a freight depot. In 1857, the station was renovated to accommodate passengers. Although passenger service to Ellicott City ended in 1949, freight service continued until 1972. The station was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1968.
Following its closure in 1972, the station was restored by Historic Ellicott City, Inc. Today, the Ellicott City Station Museum is managed by the Historic and Cultural Resources Section of the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks.
Admission to the Baltimore and Ohio Station Museum is free. Donations are welcome. The museum is on two levels, with a set of stairs to the second floor. There is no elevator, but the museum has an accessible ramp outside of the building in the Turntable Pit.
The first floor includes a gift store, restrooms and the Freight Agent's Office. The second floor showcases the Superintendent's Office, the Telegraph/Ticket Office, the Men’s Waiting Room, and the Car House.
Outside, through the platform doors in the Waiting Room is the Freight House, which houses a HO-scale model depicting the first 13 miles of the B&O Railroad from Baltimore to Ellicott City, and our recently restored Caboose -- built in 1927.
Guided Tours of the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum are available by appointment. Guided Tours are $10 per person.
Please contact Conor Conneally to schedule.
410-313-2924
cconneally@howardcountymd.gov
Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum
3711 Maryland Avenue
Ellicott City, MD 21043
410-313-1945
Museum Manager
Conor Conneally
410-313-2924
cconneally@howardcountymd.gov
Assistant Manager
John Slavnik
410-313-2923
jslavnik@howardcountymd.gov