About the Room
The John Clinton Frye Western Maryland Room was established in 1968 to provide and preserve historical information about our region. It is located on the third floor of the Alice Virginia and David W. Fletcher Library in downtown Hagerstown.
The Western Maryland Room (WMR) 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.
The scope of the collection covers the Cumberland and Shenandoah Valleys, all of Western Maryland including Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties, as well as Frederick and Carroll Counties in Central Maryland. Some material is also included for counties adjacent to those five Maryland counties in the three surrounding states of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The room is named for John Frye, a well-known local historian who retired from WCFL after 50 years of service, to honor his dedication establishing this collection.
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.
Visit our Local History & Genealogy page to learn more about the collections available in person and resources accessible online.
Support the WMR
If you would like to support the Western Maryland Room, consider joining the Friends of the WMR. This group provides financial support for such publications 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.
Questions?
We encourage you to contact us by phone at 301-739-3250 or via email at westmdroom@washcolibrary.org with questions about the room, collections, or to schedule an appointment for research assistance.
Hours of Operation
Tuesday: 10-2 pm & 4-8 pm
Thursday: 10-6 pm
Friday: 2-6 pm
Appointments are encouraged if you would like research assistance during your visit.
While the WMR has limited hours, there is a section of genealogy materials, microfilm reels, and microfilm readers available on the third floor during all open library hours.
Monthly Events
The Western Maryland Room's longstanding Robert H. McCauley Lecture series continues! Recent livestreams are available on the library's YouTube page. Upcoming lectures are linked below or can be found in the library's events calendar!
- 2/2/26 - McCauley Lecture: George Washington's Connections to Our County: Legends, Lore, and Alliances
- 4/6/26 - McCauley Lecture: Hagerstown’s Modern Landmark - The Herald-Mail Building and Its Importance
- 5/4/26 - McCauley Lecture: The Lovetts at Hilltop House in Harpers Ferry
- 9/14/26 - McCauley Lecture: A Fresh Look at 250 Years of Washington County
- 10/5/2026 - McCauley Lecture: Medical practice in Washington County in the 1830s
- 11/2/2026 - McCauley Lecture: Architectural Treasures of Washington County
Other Events
The Washington County Genealogical Society meets in the Western Maryland Room on 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.
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.