Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1968, the B&O Ellicott City Station is the oldest surviving railroad station in the country. Built in 1831, Ellicott City (then Ellicott’s Mills) was the first stop on the B&O Main Line, 13 miles outside of Baltimore. The station was originally designed to handle freight, but eventually transitioned to also serve passengers by 1857. Although passenger service was discontinued in 1949, freight service continued until 1972. The station was preserved and restored by local preservation groups to continue to share the important role the B&O Railroad played in local industrial history.

The museum is on two levels, with a set of stairs to the second floor. 

The first floor includes the freight agent’s living quarters, gift shop, and restrooms.  The second floor showcases the Provost Marshall’s Office, Telegraph/Ticket Office, Men’s Waiting Room, and Car House.  We also have two other buildings on the property, accessed from the second floor: our Freight House, which houses our HO-scale model of the first thirteen miles of track from Baltimore to Ellicott's Mills (now Ellicott City), and our 1927 Caboose, which once operated on the B&O Line. 

Although there is no elevator, the museum has a ramp outside of the building to access the platform and second level.  If you need to use the ramp, please let the cashier in the Gift Shop know and we will open the gate for you.  

Restrooms are located on the first floor in the gift shop. 

Holiday Train Garden

This holiday season, the model trains return to the Baltimore and Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum.  See the LEGO, N-gauge and O-gauge models on display.  Info: Jake Feirson, 410-313-2922 or jfeirson@howardcountymd.gov. 

All Ages           Nov 29-Jan 5                        Free

Santa Visits the B&O

Visit Santa at the B&O Ellicott City Station!  If you missed Santa at Midnight Madness, come ready to share your holiday wishlist with him during the holiday festivities in the historic district.  Bring your camera; that perfect shot for your holiday greeting card is waiting!  Information: Emily Mosher, emosher@howardcountymd.gov, or 410-313-0419.    

All ages            Free

Dec 7 &21       Noon-4pm   

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Remembrance

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Remembrance

Join us on this special day of remembrance at the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum. Enjoy a special musical program by the Bain Center Gospel Choir, presentations about Dr. King’s legacy as well as local Civil Rights activists here in Howard County. Please bring a nonperishable food item to donate to a local food back. Info: Caitlin Chamberlain 410-313-0420 or cchamberlain@howardcountymd.gov.

All Ages

Sunday, January 19          B&O EC Station Museum              Noon-2pm                          Free

The B&O Ellicott City Station Museum is now offering hour-long guided group tours! There is a charge of $5.00 per person. Please email emosher@howardcountymd.gov to schedule!

Rails and Tales: The Polar Express

Join us for a reading of The Polar Express, and make a craft to take home!  Pre-registration required.  Information: Emily Mosher, emosher@howardcountymd.gov, or 410-313-0419.    

Ages: 2-5         $3 per participant

RP9982.508     Dec 14             10:30-11am    

RP9982.509     Dec 22             10:30-11am    

RP9982.510     Dec 28             10:30-11am    

Freight House Films: The Polar Express  

What better place to view your favorite holiday train film than America’s oldest surviving railroad station!  Come early to view the holiday model trains throughout the museum.  Pre-registration required. Info: Emily Mosher, 410-313-0419 or emosher@howardcountymd.gov

All Ages           Free       

RP9977.505                 Dec 15             3-5pm             

RP9977.506                 Dec 22             3-5pm                         

School’s Out: STEAM Into History

Explore the innovation of the Patapsco River Valley! Learn about advances in technology, transportation, and communication. Then, participate in a “Maker’s Faire,” working with real simple machines to test out historical science, engineering, and technology-based experiments. Info: Emily Mosher, 410-313-0419 or emosher@howardcountymd.gov.

5-12 yrs Days:1

RP9979.603 Jan 27      9am-3pm      M      $50

RP9979.604  Jan 27     3-5pm            M      $10

Ghostly Guides

Gain exclusive after-hours access to the oldest railroad station in America and see what eerie adventures await you! Use ghost hunting equipment to ask unseen residents questions, take photos and observe changes in the electromagnetic field to help detect supernatural activity. The night begins with a historic tour of the Baltimore and Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum and after a brief orientation you will have the opportunity to wander the building with some of our professional ghost hunting gear. Contact: Emily Mosher, emosher@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-0419

16+yrs

B&O EC Station Museum

RP9978.601         January 31                7-10pm                 F              $25

RP9978.602         February 29              7-10pm               Sa            $25

RP9978.603         March 28                   7-10pm              Sa             $25

Rails and Tales: Preschool Story Time

Hop aboard the story train!  Bring your little one out to journey back through time at one of our historic sites in Ellicott City.  Hear stories about people, places and cultures throughout history, play old time games, and make a themed craft that you can take home!  Themes change each program, so be sure to visit us several times.  Info: Emily Mosher, 410-313-0419 or emosher@howardcountymd.gov

1 ½-5 yrs              B&O Ellicott City Station Museum

RP9982.601        February 8              Sa           10:30-11:00am                   $3

RP9982.602         February 22           Sa           10:30-11:00am                   $3

RP9982.603         March 14                 Sa           10:30-11:00am                   $3

RP9982.604         March 28               Sa            10:30-11:00am                   $3

Scents of the Season: Winter

Come transport to another time in history. Smell is the sense tied strongest to memory, so let your nose be your guide to a mid-nineteenth century winter with seasonal sachet-making and scented candle making. Info: Jake Feirson 410-313-2922 or Jfeirson@howardcountymd.gov.

All Ages

B&O ECSM

RP9980.601        February 9              11am-12:00pm            Su           $4

Kids Night In at the Museum

Need a kid-free date night? Drop your children off with us at the Baltimore and Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum while you enjoy a night out on Main Street. Kids will have a blast from the past doing historic crafts and go on a detective mission to uncover historical facts about the Ellicott City Station. Information: Kelly Palich, kpalich@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-0423. 

B&O EC Station Museum

RP9976.601         February 14            5:30-9pm         F            $15

History Days for Girl Scouts: Because of Her 

Join the Heritage Program this winter as we celebrate the lives of three of history’s most notable women!  Participate in hands-on activities pertaining to each famous woman!  These programs are part of the “Because of Her” Patch Program and fulfill various patch requirements.  Information: Kelly Palich,kpalich@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-0423. 

Because of Her: Harriet Tubman

Learn how Harriet “Moses” Tubman led over 300 slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad.

8-18 yrs

RP9985.602         Feb 15             1-3pm              Sa        $10

Because of Her: Clara Barton

Learn how Clara Barton, the “Angel of the Battlefield,” risked her life to bring supplies and support to soldiers in the field during the Civil War and later founded the American Red Cross.

8-18 yrs

RP9985.603        Mar 22           1-3pm              Sa        $10

A Brush with History

Create your own masterpiece at America’s oldest surviving railroad station.  Paint a well-known location in Ellicott City with local painter Wiley Purkey, and learn the history behind it.  Let local painter and artist guide you in making your own interpretation of a selected painting. Every month paint a different scene in town. Learn about the history behind each site you paint. No experience needed. Materials and supplies are provided. Bring your favorite beverage and snack and let’s get creative! Info: Emily Mosher, emosher@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-0419.  

18yrs+

RP9975.601       March 5             6:30-10:00pm            Th           $35        

Archaeology In Your Community: The Patapsco Female Institute

For Women’s History Month, come learn how archaeologists have studied one of the most progressive female boarding schools in the 19^th-century Howard County!  Learn how to identify artifacts and work with real collections from this site!

All Ages

RP9979.612       Mar 8                 2-3:30               Su           Free

Homeschool History Day: The Search for Camp Johnson

Learn about Maryland’s role in the Civil War, and how Howard County served as a significant resource for the Union. Info: Kelly Palich, kpalich@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-0423. 

7-18yrs

RP9979.602          Mar 9          10am-3pm          M            $20

Almira Hart Lincoln Phelps

Join Maryland History Tours for a presentation on the head mistress of the Patapsco Female Institute. Phelps was a remarkable woman who transformed the Institute into a renowned educational facility in the 1850s. A prolific author, Phelps became a household name through her writings and as a lecturer. Info: Emily Mosher, 410.313.0419 or emosher@howardcountymd.gov.

21+ yrs                 B&O Ellicott City Station Museum

RP9981.601                         March 19             Th           $12

Behind the Scenes Tour

Go behind the museum ropes on a special after-hours tour of the oldest railroad station in America! Explore the museum’s rich history and discover the preservation efforts undertaken in the 1970s to preserve the station for enjoyment of future generations. Info: Emily Mosher, 410.313.0419 or emosher@howardcountymd.gov.

16 yrs+ Days: 1

RP9983.601              Mar 26               6-7:30              Th           $10        

Summer 2020 Camps coming soon!

Do you need a unique meeting or event space?  Are you looking for a place to hold a birthday party? The B&O Ellicott City Station Museum is available for rentals! For information on availability, prices, and times, please contact Jake Feirson at jfeirson@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-2922. 

We are always looking for dedicated volunteers to help fill our ranks!  If you have an interest in trains, museums, or sharing history with others, this is the place for you.  For more information on volunteer opportunities, please contact Museum Manager Jake Feirson at jfeirson@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-2922.  

Please check out our historic photo page

Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum
3711 Maryland Avenue
Ellicott City, MD 21043
410-313-1945

Site Manager
Jake Feirson, 410-313-2922 or jfeirson@howardcountymd.gov

Assistant Manager/Program Manager
Emily Mosher, 410-313-0419 or emosher@howardcountymd.gov