In honor of Historic Preservation Month, explore the history of Downtown Ellicott City by stopping at locations throughout downtown. As part of the HoCo250 celebrations, enjoy an Open House Day in Ellicott City -- spotlighting 13 historic properties including six county-owned sites. Times vary by location.
OPEN HOUSE DAY IN OLD ELLICOTT CITY
Merryman Street Log Home*- 8394 Main St. - Open 1 pm to 4pm.
Likely built by Levi Gillis, a free African American in the early 1850's.
Ellicott City Firehouse Museum*- 3829 Church Rd.- Open 1 pm to 4pm. Ellicott City's 1st Firehouse operating from 1889 to 1923.
Ellicott City Colored School Museum*- 8683 Frederick Rd. - Open 1 pm to 4pm. First publicly funded school for African Americans in Howard County-1880 - 1953.
(* Docents on duty at these locations with full site information.)
Museum of Howard County History- 8328 Court Ave. - Open 1 pm to 5pm. Home to hundreds of objects that tell the story of Howard County's history.
Ellicott Mills Children's Museum - 3725 Park Ave. - Open 1 p'11 to 5pm. Interactive, hands-on educational center on the history & culture of those who lived in town.
Centre Lodge #40 IOOF - 8134 Main St. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) Open Circa 1848 building acquired by the Odd Fellows in 1863 & still used by them.
The Bridge Market- 8000 Main Street (Waverly Real Estate Group}- Open 1 pm to 5pm. Believed to have been built in the late 1700's the only riverside building to survive the 1868 flood.
Jackie's Dollhouses & Miniatures - 8098 Main St. Open Noon to 5pm. Patapsco National Bank was chartered in 1833 and built this building in 1905. Today it Features Antique & Vintage Dolls, Accessories, Miniatures and Doll Houses.
Howard County Welcome Center- 8267 Main St. - Open 10am to 5pm. Located in a former Post Office Building (circa 1940} the Welcome Center is here to help visitors learn about the many amenities and highlights of Howard County. Currently featuring UPH (Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness) contemporary & historical artworks embodying those themes.
Artists' Gallery- 8197 Main St. - Open 11 am to 6pm. An artists owned Gallery today hosting their "Maryland Show" (featuring Maryland-themed artwork)
B & O Railroad Ellicott City Station Museum - 3711 Maryland Ave.- Open 10am to 5pm. The "Oldest Railroad Station in America" (1831) it was the terminus of the first 13 miles of the B&O Railroad. Passenger service until 1949-Freight service until 1972.
Mt. Ida - 3691 Sarah's Lane - Open 12-4pm. The last known home built by an Ellicott in Ellicott City, Mt. Ida, circa 1828, has experienced many converted uses including its original use as a single family home. Today, The Inn at Mt. Ida continues to welcome guests as a refined and charming venue for weddings, special occasions and overnight accommodations, blending historic elegance with modern comfort.
Capitoline Center - 8360 Court Ave. - Open -10am to 4pm
An arts and cultural hub in the former Howard County Circuit Court building with portions dating from 1843 and additions added in 1937 & 1950. Gallery 1 hosts our Resident Visual Artist exhibit and Gallery 2 hosts our "Vibrant Resilience" exhibit featuring works from Errol McKinson, John Lister Ill, and James Terrell