Visit the John Clinton Frye Western Maryland Room
About the Western Maryland Room
The John Clinton Frye Western Maryland Room was established in 1968 to provide and preserve historical information about our region. The Room contains approximately 10,000 books and over 400 cubic feet of archival material including maps, newspapers, photographs, ledgers, manuscripts, ephemera, and a limited number of artifacts covering the Cumberland and Shenandoah Valleys; all of Western Maryland, including Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties; plus Frederick and Carroll Counties in Central Maryland. Some material is also included for all counties adjacent to those five Maryland counties in the three surrounding states of Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
Highlights of the WMR Collection
Highlighted in the collection are a large Civil War research collection, a family research (genealogy) collection, and a substantial holding of information on canals, railroads, local culture and industry. Numerous yearbooks from schools located in Washington County are also part of the collection. The WMR sponsors the Robert H. McCauley Historical Lecture Series and holds workshops on genealogy topics and caring for archival materials such as photographs and rare books.
We invite you to contact us with questions or visit to explore our historical library and archives!
Support the WMR
If you would like to support the Western Maryland Room, consider joining the Friends of the WMR who provide financial support for the publications of such books as:
- St. Mary’s Catholic Church Records 1818 – 1900
- Beaver Creek Evangelical Church Records 1844–1917
- Washington County Obituary Locator 1790-2003
Please call 301-739-3250 for more information on joining the Friends.
Contact Us
Contact the Western Maryland Room at 301-739-3250 or at westmdroom@washcolibrary.org
Hours of Operation
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 10-2 pm & 4-8 pm
Wednesday: CLOSED
Thursday: 10-6 pm
Friday: 2-6 pm
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED
Appointments are encouraged if you would like research assistance when you are here.
Questions
We invite you to contact us with questions or visit to explore our historical library and archives! Appointments are encouraged if you would like research assistance during your visit.
Monthly Events
The Western Maryland Room's longstanding McCauley Lecture series continues on Monday Feb. 3 with Randy Anderson speaking about the C&O Canal and the Western Maryland Railroad Interchange at the Cushwa Basin in Williamsport.
Washington County Genealogical Society meets in the Western Maryland Room the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm.
Questions about the WC Genealogical Society? Contact Carol Miller-Schultz at 301-791-2585.
McCauley Lecture Series Schedule
@Alice Virginia & David W. Fletcher Branch
100 S. Potomac St, Hagerstown MD
Community Rooms 308/309
(past livestreams are on the event page links below)
• 2/3/25 - McCauley Lecture: "The C&O Canal and the Western Maryland Railroad Interchange at the Cushwa Basin in Williamsport"
• 3/3/25 - McCauley Lecture: "Historic Schoolhouses of Washington County"
• 4/7/25 - McCauley Lecture: "Tolson's Chapel in Sharpsburg" Film and Panel Discussion
• 5/19/25 - McCauley Lecture: "Cosmopolitan Man: The Militant Life of Thomas Wentworth Higginson"
Featured Resources from the Western Maryland Room
Western Maryland Room Vertical Files
Our vertical file is a large local history subject file collection. View this resource to learn about a variety of topics.
Processed Collections
Find our processed archival collections catalogued in the Library Catalog. Search the Classic Polaris Catalog and click on All items and chose W. Md. Room items. Search Collection, and you will find a number of them listed.
New Books at the Western Maryland Room
Find the newest materials added to the Western Maryland Room in the catalog.