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 mils 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. 

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!

A Brush with History
Want to create your own masterpiece? Stop by for a night of painting historic scenes of Old Ellicott City while enjoying the creative atmosphere in America’s oldest surviving railroad station. Let local painter and artist Wiley Purkey 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: Jake Feirson, 410-313-2922 or Jfeirson@howardcountymd.gov

21 yrs +    $35

Rails and Tales: Preschool Storytime
Hop aboard the story train!  Bring your little one out to a discovery story time at some of our historic sites in Ellicott City. Hear stories about how life was long (or not so long!) ago, play old times games, and make a history craft you can take home. Themes change each month, so be sure to visit us several times. Pre-registration required. Info: Emily Mosher, emosher@howardcountymd.gov.

1.5-5 yrs   $3

Kids Night at the Museum
Need a kid-free date night? Or maybe a shopping night during the busy holiday season? Drop your children off with the Baltimore and Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum while you do some holiday shopping and dining on Main Street. Participants will have a blast from the past doing historic holiday-themed crafts and go on a detective mission to uncover historical facts about the Ellicott City Station. Let them get their hands dirty making applesauce and cinnamon ornaments, candle making, scent sachets, and more! Drop-ins are welcome! Information: Jake Feirson, 410-313-2922 or Jfeirson@howardcountymd.gov

5-10 yrs    $15

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. Info: Jake Feirson, 410-313-2922 or jfeirson@howardcountymd.gov.

16 yrs +    $25

B&O  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 the enjoyment of future generations.  Throughout th tour, the group will also have the chance to look at rarely-seen photographs and artifacts of the  museum's collection to help tell the station's story.  Info: Emily Mosher, 410-313-0419 or emosher@howardcountymd.gov. 

16 yrs+    $10

Scents of the Season 

Transport yourself 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 spring and summer with seasonal sachet- and candlemaking.  Info: Emily Mosher, 410-313-0419 or emosher@howardcountymd.gov. 

All Ages    $4/participant

Spring Break: History Exploration! 

Spend your Spring Break with the Living History and Heritage Program!  From stone tools to railroads, engineering to fun and games, Ellicott City and Howard County have a lot of history to share.  Join us as we uncover the history of the Patapsco Female Institute, crack codes at the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum, and try our hand at making stone tools the same way people did 1500 years ago.  Your history adventure awaits!  Info: Kelly Palich, 410.313.0423 or kpalich@howardcountymd.gov

5-12 yrs    4 days    $200/participant

Aftercare available, $40/participant

 Almira Hart Lincoln Phelps

Join Maryland History Tours for a special presentation on the head mistress of the Patapsco Female Institute. Phelps was a remarkable woman who transformed the Institute into a renowned educational facility. A prolific author, Phelps became a household name through her writings and as a lecturer. Imagine in the 1850’s she was encouraging her students, all females, to” think, reflect, compare and examine using your own judgement.” Info: Emily Mosher, 410.313.0419 or emosher@howardcountymd.gov. 
21yrs+    $15/participant

 Spirits of the Patapsco River Valley

Hear the stories of ghostly happenings from Ellicott City though the river valley to Catonsville with Maryland History Tours. In the realm of the unexplained, various visitors to the region claim to have seen UFO’s, Bigfoot type creatures, Gnomes (yes, Gnomes) and, of course, Ghosts. Even a story of dinner with the Devil! Find out all that is purported to have occurred in the river valley.  Info: Emily Mosher, 410.313.0419 or emosher@howardcountymd.gov. 
21yrs+    $15/participant

Ellicott City During the Civil War

John Brown’s Raid, a 1,000-man Union Camp, the Patapsco Guards, a gun that could fire 250 rounds per minute, a tomb of unknown soldiers, Romance and Poetry. Join Maryland History Tours and see our town during the War between the States! Info: Emily Mosher, 410.313.0419 or emosher@howardcountymd.gov. 

21yrs+    $15/particpant

Preschool Camp

Preschool camps run Monday, Wednesday, Friday of the week indicated. 

Little History Explorers: Imagination Station

Hop on board as you become Junior Engineers on the B&O Railroad!  Explore the history of the Railroad through storytelling, games, music and crafts.  Each day will focus on a different learning skill including shapes, colors, numbers and letters through STEM based learning!  This is a camp Thomas and Percy would love!  Parents are welcome to stay.  Morning session repeats in afternoon.  Info: Emily Mosher, 410-313-0419 or emosher@howardcountymd.gov.  

3-5 yrs    $75/participant

Youth Camps

Youth Camps run Monday through Friday of week indicated.  Aftercare is available; $50/participant.  Must register in advance for aftercare. 

Time Traveling Kids: Civil War Detectives

Campers will get their hands dirty as they investigate the history of the Civil War in Howard County.  Through the lens of archaeology, campers will explore the history of Camp Johnson, a Union encampment located in Ellicott City between September-December 1862.  Campers will Muster at the B&O Railroad Ellicott City Station and search for Camp Johnson at our archaeological dig.  Investigate the artifacts of a Union Soldier, experience camp life with cast iron cooking, practice drilling and maneuver’s, learn Civil War First Aid, and create an Exhibit on your Camp Findings! Pack a nut free lunch and bottled water.  Info: Emily Mosher, 410-313-0419 or emosher@howardcountymd.gov.  

6-8 yrs    $275/participant

9-11 yrs    $275/participant

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