Collections by Geographical Location: Western Maryland (Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington Counties)
A Selected List of Holdings in Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries
For more information about how to access materials in this guide, please visit the Maryland Room web page or fill out an information request.
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Maryland Agricultural
Experiment Station records, 1852-1983. 34.50 linear
feet.
Location: University of Maryland
Established in College Park in 1888, the purpose of the experiment station was to use the resources of science to improve the practice and profitability of agriculture. The M. A. E. S. records cover administrative, university, and national activities of the station with the majority of the records documenting departmental research projects. An experiment station was later established in Hancock, Maryland in the 20th Century. File headings include: Western Maryland Farm Committee, 1969 and Washington County Cow Testing Association c. 1920. See the finding aid for more details.
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College of Agriculture records, 1916-1973. 20.75 linear feet.
Location: University of Maryland
The teaching of agriculture at the University of Maryland began with the opening of the Maryland Agricultural College in 1859. Agriculture remained a primary element of the curriculum when the Maryland General Assembly created the University of Maryland in 1920 by merging the campuses in Baltimore and College Park. The new University of Maryland in College Park was originally divided into thirteen educational units, including the College of Agriculture. The records of the college primarily document the tenure of Gordon M. Cairns as dean and consist of correspondence, reports, committee information, appointment books, budget files, financial ledger books, and photographs. Some report files relate to the Western Maryland 4-H Center.
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John H. Alexander papers, 1824-1857. 0.75 linear feet.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
John H. Alexander (1812-1867) had a varied career as a lawyer, civil engineer, surveyor, geologist, and teacher at the universities of Pennsylvania and Maryland. As Maryland's first geologist, he mapped coal deposits in the state. Important subjects documented in the collection include the C & O Canal, slack water navigation, canal legislation, surveys, contracts, railroads, Indian tribes, real estate, and Alexander's family life. The collection consists of reports, pamphlets, essays, and correspondence. Of particular note: Series I contains correspondence with the College of Saint James.
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Alumni Office records, 1927-1960. 5.5 linear feet.
Location: University of Maryland
The functions of the Alumni Office include the maintenance of alumni records, sponsorship of special programs for alumni, liaison with the alumni association, and representation of alumni interests within the campus community. The collection consists of the office's operating records and includes committee files, memorabilia and photographs. Some files in this collection relate to the Frederick County Alumni Club. This collection is unprocessed, see preliminary inventory for details.
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Carl Bode papers, 1941-1984. 6.25 linear feet.
Location: University of Maryland
Carl Bode (1911-1993) was an author, professor of English at the University of Maryland, and officer of several literary and cultural organizations. The unprocessed addendum to the collection consists of books on American literature and Maryland; correspondence; course materials; financial records; personnel-related materials; photographs; tapes; publications; and work papers. The unprocessed addendum refers to the following folder headings: Maryland History, A Selective Bibliography; Frostburg; Frostburg Talk; and Western Maryland College Talk.
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Archives of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research, 1946-1970. 22.25 linear feet.
Location: University of Maryland
The Bureau of Business and Economic Research was founded in 1946 to conduct academic research into regional economic concerns. The administrative records of the Bureau include reports, computer printouts, book manuscripts, and publications, concerning such subjects as a Maryland tax study, state and local government, conservation, industrial planning and development, and demographic processes. Some of this collections subject files relate to Western Maryland such as the folder entitled Cumberland, Maryland, 1947-59 in Series III.
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Burhaus Family papers, 1862-1863. 0.25 linear feet (14 items).
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
This collection consists primarily of correspondence of Herman Burhaus, a volunteer in the 4th New York Union Regiment during the Civil War, who was stationed in various cities in the Washington, DC, area. One particular letter discusses the battle of Sharpsburg.
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Byron Family Papers, circa 1860s-1993. 66.00 linear feet.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
The Byron Family Papers cover the period from the 1860s through the 1990s, with several sections of materials with bulk dates of the 1880s to the 1920s, 1938-1942, and the 1960s-1970s. The collection consists of personal and professional papers of the family and ancestors of William Devereux Byron II (1895-1941) and Katharine McComas Edgar Byron (1903-1976). The personal papers of this collection include correspondence, photographs, sheet music; memorabilia, blueprints of and information about Byron family properties, and newspaper clippings of social activities, birth and wedding announcements, and obituaries of Byron family members. The professional papers include correspondence, newspaper clippings, business papers, and memorabilia and photographs related to the Byron family's political careers, the W. D. Byron & Sons Tannery, and the W. H. Edgar & Sons Sugar Company.
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Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company archives, 1880-1945. 3.75 linear feet.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
This collection consists of legal and financial records, correspondence, and maps documenting the construction and operation of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Many of the materials concern land transactions and there is also a significant amount of documentation of court cases involving the company. Series III and IV relate to William Preston Lane, Jr., legal representative and advisor of the trustees of the C & O Canal company and partner in a Hagerstown law firm.
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Cresap/Bruce Family papers, circa 1860-1987 and undated. 0.25 linear feet (141 items).
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
Thomas Cresap (c. 1692-1790) was a Maryland pioneer, patriot and frontiersman. He surveyed Maryland's western frontier for what is known today as the National Road and fought in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. His son, Michael, led Cresap's Riflemen during the American Revolution. Later generations include the family names Bruce and Neff. In 1916, Cresap descendants formed the Cresap Society. The collection dates from 1860 to 1987 and consists mainly of correspondence of family members, their genealogical research, Cresap Society newsletters, and newspaper clippings highlighting Cresap history. Also included are Cresap family charts, documents, and photographs.
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Davis Family papers papers, 1784-1967. 4.50 linear feet.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
This collection contains the papers of the Davis family, who owned a farm in Frederick County, Maryland, for over a hundred years. The papers consist of financial records, including farm ledgers, account books, land deeds, wills, domestic receipts and bills, business correspondence, and records of investments. The collection also contains blueprints and instructions for building a dairy barn, circa 1930s. The most comprehensive records document the time of ownership by R. Lee Davis and his son Aubrey G. Davis between 1895 and 1945, concerning dairy operations and milk distribution to Baltimore. Five account books (1890s) detail the transactions of the Fountain Mills general store, which was owned by Davis's brother Samuel.
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Demorest's New-York Illustrated News Woodcut Collection, 1861-1865. 4 woodcuts with prints and 1 broadside.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
This collection contains a Civil War-era woodcut of Poolesville, Maryland.
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Jesse Glass papers, 1836-2011. 79.5 linear feet.
Location: Literature and Rare Books
Jesse Glass, Jr., (1954- ), a writer, artist, and editor, is Professor of American literature and history and of comparative literature at Meikai University in Chiba, Japan. Raised outside Westminster, Maryland, he holds degrees from Western Maryland College (B.A., 1979), Johns Hopkins University (M.A., 1980), and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Ph.D., 1988). He was closely associated with avant-garde periodicals, Goethe's Notes (1976-1980), Cream City Review(1982-1988), and Die Young (1991-1996). After moving to Japan in 1992, he became involved with the Abiko Quarterly. In 1998 he established Ahadada Books, which publishes both online and in print. Published works of his poetry include The Passion of Phineas Gage & Selected Poems (2006), The Life and Death of Peter Stubbe (1995) and Lexical Obelisk (1983, 1990, 1996). He has also written on the history and folklore of Carroll County, Maryland, in The Witness: Slavery in 19th century Carroll County, Maryland (2004), Carroll County Newspaper Wars: Know-Nothings, Alms House Scandals and the Death of a Civil-War Editor (2004), and Ghosts and Legends of Carroll County (1982; revised, 1998). His papers include correspondence with such notable poets as Cid Corman, Leo Connellan, Robert Peters, Rod Summers, David Ray, and Armand Schwerner. Also in the collection are photographs, artwork, clippings, background material for books, visual and sound poetry, monographs, serials, chapbooks, manuscripts and poetry publications documenting the careers of Glass and of others. The collection includes both English and Japanese language materials and documents Glass's interest in Japanese poetry and folklore.
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Hagerstown Bank Collection, 1814-1852. 309 items.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
This grouping of letters is primarily addressed to Elie Beatty, cashier of the Hagerstown Bank, and concerns various financial matters to be handled by Beatty and other cashiers. Included are requests for collection of debts and transfer of funds as well as transmittals of bank notes and drafts and identifications of counterfeit notes. The collection provides an overview of banking operations in early to mid-nineteenth century western Maryland.
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George Hanst papers, 1958-1988. 6.0 linear feet.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
George Hanst, a Maryland native, worked for the Baltimore Evening Sun. He served as a copy writer for the newspaper and also covered the courtroom activities of the Supreme Bench of Baltimore City. He is best remembered for his daily column "Court Docket." The Hanst collection consists of hand-written notebooks, as well as newspaper and headline clipping books. Hanst was born in Oakland, Garrett County, Maryland
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Harwood Family papers, 1652-1842. 53 items.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
Legal documents, land plats, and receipts primarily relating to Richard and Thomas Harwood and their lands on Buzzard's Island and other places in Calvert County, Maryland. Included are materials from Aquila Beall, Thomas Holliday, and a property named "Glengary" in Frederick County, Maryland.
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William Preston Lane papers, 1925-1966. 27.00 linear feet.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
William Preston Lane (1892-1967) was a lawyer, newspaper publisher, Attorney General for Maryland, and governor of Maryland from 1947 to 1951. At different periods during his life, Lane served as president of the Herald Mail Company, Vice-President of the Hagerstown Trust Co., Director of the Hagerstown Shoe and Legging Company. The bulk of Lane's papers consists of correspondence and speeches, and concentrates on his gubernatorial campaigns of 1946 and 1950, including constituent mail from Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington Counties. Other topics include Washington County's industrial and economic development during the early 1960's.
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League of Women Voters of Maryland archives, 1910-1985. 32.25 linear feet.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
The League of Women Voters of Maryland was founded in 1921, shortly after the passage of the twentieth amendment granting women the vote. The League has antecedents in a number of suffrage organizations, including the Just Government League of Maryland and the Women's Suffrage League of Maryland. The League of Women Voters has organized county leagues and developed a program for voicing the concerns and furthering the interests of its members. Series II of this collection includes newsletters, correspondence, reports, and minutes from Allegany, Garrett, Frederick, and Washington County chapters as well as the Hagerstown chapter.
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Maryland Association for Family and Community Education (MDAFCE) Achives, 1912-2001. 12.75 linear feet, 2881 items.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
The records of the Maryland Extension Homemakers' Council consist of publications, minutes, reports, handbooks, programs, financial records, slides, photographs, and newspaper clippings documenting Council operations as well as the programs and courses offered by the Council. This collection contains many images documenting the Rural Women's Short Course held at the University of Maryland, College Park. Some Western Maryland Counties are mentioned. Accession 91-157 has at least one folder that pertains to Washington County, but there may be other materials in related accessions. This collection is unprocessed but preliminary inventories are available.
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Maryland Conservation Council archives, 1970-1986. 4.00 linear feet.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
This organization is actively involved in a broad range of environmental issues throughout the state, such as: acid rain, air quality, clean water, hazardous waste, and land use. A finding aid is available for the processed part of this collection. Preliminary inventories are available for the unprocessed accessions. Accession 99-53 contains information about Western Maryland but there may also be other related information in other accessions.
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Maryland Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. archives, 1940-2005. 248.50 linear feet.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
The Maryland Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs was founded in 1929 as part of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women, a nonpartisan, nondenominational and nonsectarian organization for working women. The records of the Maryland Federation consist of correspondence; minutes; charters; publications; committee and individual club files; membership lists; scrapbooks; photographs; convention records; programs; and memorabilia. This collection is unprocessed but a preliminary inventory is available. The inventory mentions specific counties, cities, and towns located Western Maryland.
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Maryland Wilderness Association archives, 1969-1974. 0.50 linear feet.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
The Maryland Wilderness Association was a statewide independent society of citizens actively supporting conservation of natural and recreational resources. The Association was a prominent participant in public discussions of conservation issues, sponsoring educational programs and publicizing numerous environmental concerns. It ceased operations in 1975. This organization supports the preservation and protection of the land, water, scenic, and recreational resources of Maryland. The association's archives include material on Canal and River Rights Council and the C & O Canal.
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W. Joseph Moyer papers, 1857-1986. 82.75 linear feet.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
Joseph Moyer was state climatologist during the mid-twentieth century. The collection contains climatological data from cooperative weather stations from all over Western Maryland and Maryland in general. The collection is unprocessed. See preliminary inventories from all accessions for data on specific cities and towns pertaining to Western Maryland.
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Phi Mu Fraternity, 1923-1945. 5.00 linear feet.
Location: University of Maryland
Initiates to this engineering honor society were required to prepare a research paper on an engineering topic of their choice. There are numerous works that relate to Western Maryland in this collection. The following titles are only a few examples: The Mount Savage Iron Works; The Manufacture of Aeroplanes in Hagerstown, MD; History and Construction of the Street Railway System of Hagerstown; Cumberland as the Gateway to the West and The History and Construction of the Jug Bridge near Frederick.
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Willis A. Pomeroy papers, June - September, 1861. 0.25 linear feet.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
Willis A. Pomeroy was a 1st lieutenant with Company C, 1st Regiment, Heavy Artillery of the Connecticut Volunteers. He was stationed at Hagerstown, Downsville, and Williamsport, Maryland, during the early days of the Civil War. This collection consists of Pomeroy's letters to members of his family during his time in Maryland as well as a general order appointing him brigade commissary. In his letters Pomeroy describes the state of his health, his need for money to purchase a horse, and his duties as brigade commissary.
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Office of the President, University of Maryland records, 1868-1988. 67.5 linear feet (processed); approx. 900 linear feet (unprocessed).
Location: University of Maryland
The Office of the President was created in 1859 following the establishment of the Maryland Agricultural College in 1856. In the early days, the President's Office set admissions policy, created curricula guidelines, hired faculty, administered the budget, and lobbied for funds. The president even occasionally taught classes. After the college was renamed the University of Maryland in 1920, many administrative activities were delegated to a growing number of staff employees. The President's Office now focuses on promoting and executing the mission and long-range goals of the University and on raising funds to meet those goals. The records of two presidents, Harry Clifton Byrd, who served as president from 1935 to 1954 and Wilson Homer ElkinsByrd, who served as president between 1954 and 1978, are of particular interest in terms of the history of Western Maryland. These two presidents, particularly Byrd, held numerous contacts in Western Maryland, especially among businesses and businessmen. These records, particularly the correspondence files have yet to be mined for their significance to Western Maryland history. The records of the President's Office from these two administrations consist of correspondence, committee reports, minutes, other printed materials, and photographs. Access to this record group is restricted; it is unprocessed, but a preliminary inventory is available.
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Board of Regents records, 1916-1990. 175.50 linear feet.
Location: University of Maryland
The Board of Regents is the highest-level governing body of the University of Maryland System. The Regents' records document the overall administration of the university and also contain files from specific committees, boards, and commissions. Various Board members originate from and have ties to cities and towns all over Western Maryland, such as Cumberland, Frederick, Middletown, and Hagerstown. The Board files have yet to be mined for these significant ties to Western Maryland. Access to these materials is restricted; the collection is unprocessed, but a preliminary inventory is available.
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Francis C. Renner papers, 1881-1915 and undated. 0.25 linear feet.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
Francis Calvin Renner (1840-1914) was an inventor, businessman, farmer, New Midway Postmaster, and minister in the Church of the Brethren. The collection contains correspondence, financial records, a ledger, legal documents, and a bankbook, documenting Renner's involvement in the Rose Jelly Manufacturing Company of New Midway, Frederick County, Maryland and the Woodsboro and Double Pipe Creek Turnpike Company. The papers relate chiefly to Rose Jelly Manufacturing Company with particular emphasis on agreements made with various business partners and on legal issues concerning patents.
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Edward M. Rider papers, 1937-1998. 1.50 linear feet.
Location: University of Maryland
Much of the material in this collection--including broadcast transcripts (radio), clippings, correspondence, press releases, programs, publication drafts, and speeches--relates to the Maryland Conservation Field Day event held in Frederick, Maryland on August 18, 1948.
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Carlton Ralph Sickles papers, 1955-1967. 171.00 linear feet.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
Sickles served in the Maryland House of Delegates and the United States House of Representatives. His papers contain administrative files, press releases, newspaper clippings, bills, and audio tapes. This collection is unprocessed but a preliminary inventory is available. Some files in the collection are restricted. Of particular interest to Western Maryland researchers are the project files which contain headings such as: C & O Canal, Cumberland Housing, Hagerstown Accelerated Public Works Application, Hagerstown Airport and Western Maryland Railroad Merger.
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Sierra Club, Maryland Chapter archives, 1966-2004. 6.50 linear feet.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
The Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club can trace its origins to the establishment of the club's Southeastern Chapter in 1968. This chapter eventually split into several smaller groups, among them the Potomac Chapter, which has members in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The Maryland Chapter monitors legislation, works to save natural areas from development, sponsors outings, and disseminates information on environmental matters.
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John William Stewart Family papers, 1857-1906. 49 items.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
The Papers of John William Stewart span the years 1857 to 1906 with the bulk of material dating from 1857 to 1869 and consist primarily of correspondence written to John William Stewart from relatives and friends in Emmitsburg, Maryland and Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. They report on their health and that of family members and friends, engagements, marriages, prayer meetings, a trip on the Mississippi, and the Civil War. Included in one letter is an 1864 flyer entitled "Greeting to the Churches of the Presbytery of Baltimore from the Presbytery's Committee of Foreign Missions."
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Work Projects Administration in Maryland records, 1933-1943. 29.50 linear feet + 50 reels microfilm.
Location: State of Maryland and Historical Collections
The collection contains the records of the Maryland Work Progress Administration (WPA) as well as those of the Maryland Emergency Relief Administration (MERA) and the Civil Works Administration (CWA), its immediate predecessors. The WPA represented a shift from direct relief to work relief. The administrative records include bulletins, memoranda, policies, and procedures, as well as financial records and salary schedules. The collection also documents many WPA projects, most importantly the Maryland Federal Writers' Project. The collection also contains a large number of photographs. See finding aid for specific folder headings regarding Western Maryland projects.
University Publications
The university publications collection consists of a wide variety of printed materials produced by and about the various administrative units, academic departments, and student groups on the College Park campus. The listing below includes those publications that deal specifically with Western Maryland. This listing is by no means exhaustive. Many other documents in this collection may also contain information regarding Western Maryland. The university's many departments and divisions continue to create publications which are added to this collection.
In the listing below, headings under which items may be located have been italicized and are followed by relevant individual titles within that category.
Agricultural Experiment Station. (University Publications A33) The station publishes scientific articles that may relate to Western Maryland such as Potential for increased market supply of beef in Western Maryland, dated 1975, as well as special bulletins, new releases, faculty and staff minutes, and other miscellaneous publications.
Cooperative Extension Service. (University Publications C51) The Service published a wide variety of publications that correspond with its diverse programs. Annual reports, progress reports, press packs, news releases, and news/features describe the Service's activities and projects. Publications sent to farmers, housewives, youths, and other Maryland residents illustrate the kinds of information the Service sought to disseminate.
Environmental and Estuarine Studies, Center for. (University Publications E19) Reference series and study reports describe research conducted at the various labs under the center's direction, including the Appalachian Environmental Laboratory, the Horn Point Laboratory, the Inland Laboratory, and the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory. The center published status reports and results of studies on the Power Plant Sitting Program. Forerunners of the center include the Department of Research and Education and the Natural Resources Institute; the center became known as the Center for Environmental Science in 1997.
Center for Environmental Science. (University Publications E19 and E28) Forerunners of the center, which was established in 1997, include the Department of Research and Education, the Natural Resources Institute, and the Center for Environmental and Estuarine Studies. The center administers three laboratory sites: the Appalachian Laboratory in western Maryland, the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in southern Maryland, and the Horn Point Laboratory on the Delmarva Peninsula. Reference series and study reports describe research primarily on water quality and the Chesapeake Bay. Publications from 1997 to 1998 are located under E19; publications since 1999 are located under E28.
Institute for Governmental Service. (University Publications G9) The Institute produced reports on various economic, political, environmental, social, and other concerns in Maryland. Reports reference Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington County locations.
Maryland Technical Advisory Service. (University Publications M25) Includes various reports on government practices and concerns in counties all over Maryland, including Western Maryland.
Municipal Technical Advisory Service. (University Publications M43) Includes various reports on city and town planning such as "The elements and annexation policy for Frostburg, Maryland."
Natural Resources Institute. (University Publications N6) The institute published a Reference Series and an Educational Series that included reports, meeting proceedings, and plans for Maryland waterways, forests, and fisheries. The institute directed three laboratory sites: the Appalachian Environmental Laboratory in western Maryland, the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in southern Maryland, and the Horn Point Environmental Laboratory on the Delmarva Peninsula. The Natural Resources Institute became the Center for Environmental & Estuarine Studies in 1975; it became the Center for Environmental Studies in 1997.
Center for Substance Abuse Research. (University Publications S38) Includes studies on drug use and abuse throughout Maryland, including a report entitled "Maryland Pulse Check: Trends and Patterns of Drug Use: A Pilot Study in Allegany County and Baltimore City."
Maryland Manuscripts
The Maryland Manuscripts Collection consists of a diverse array of materials, including letters, diaries, printed ephemera, and legal records, many of which relate to Western Maryland during the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries. The majority of the materials originate in Frederick and Washington Counties however; there are a few materials from Allegany and Garrett County. The materials consist mainly of land records, court subpoenas and other legal documents, slavery related documents, as well as military and Civil War documents.
The following list is only a brief sample of the rich holdings of the Maryland Manuscripts Collection that pertain to Western Maryland.
- MDMS 6--Writ of arrest for Baker Johnson from Frederick County dated 1801.
- MDMS 140-- A pamphlet by C. E. Hoye relating to Indian camps in Garrett Co., the Civil War, and a skirmish at Bloomington. This is a 1937 reprint for the Oakland Republican of Garrett County.
- MDMS 160-- A lecture by E. L. Lowe, dated 1842, on the historical destiny of woman, delivered before the Frederick Literary Association of Frederick County.
- MDMS 161-- Discourse by E. L. Lowe, dated 1845, on the commemoration of the landing of the Pilgrims of Maryland, celebrated at Mt. St. Mary's near Emmitsburg.
- MDMS 202-- Martin, Frederick County prosecutor, a Plea, State versus Negro Fosse, to jurors, concerning stolen goods, dated 1796.
- MDMS 203-211-- Frederick and Harper's Ferry Road business and financial records, dated 1833 and 1860-61.
- MDMS 747-- A report on US Apple Industry by J.P. Graham, published by F. Mertens Sons, Cumberland, Allegany County, Maryland in 1910.
- MDMS 838-- Frederick County Court document. A list of fines, forfeitures, penalties, etc., incurred, dated 1704.
- MDMS 887-- Hagerstown Chamber of Commerce Pamphlet entitled "Hagerstown auto routes and points of interest, dated 1922.
- MDMS 888-- Kausler, J.: A pamphlet by J. Kausler on the City Park, Hagerstown, Washington County, dated 1930.
- MDMS 974-- A bill concerning the state vs. Negro, Jack for stealing pair of pantaloons in Frederick County in 1794.
- MDMS 1537-- Al list by Howard Shriver of wild flowers and trees in vicinity of Cumberland, Allegany County, Maryland, in 1901; contains references to Gray's and Wood's Botanies for descriptions, 38-page pamphlet.
- MDMS 3640 A-B--- 3640A: Bounty, document signed, Washington County, May 26, 1864, John L. Smith, John M. Watson is entitled to $100 as a volunteer in the Maryland Volunteer Cavalry; 3640 B: Discharge, document signed, Richmond, Virgina, August 8, 1865, Captain J. Remington, John M. Watson is discharged from the Maryland Cavalry volunteers [Washington County]; 1865.
- MDMS 3661-- Document, autograph document signed, April 16, 1874, William R. Hayward, Commisioner of Land Office, James Black Groome, Governor, Joel Penmagton is granted a plot of land "Pennington's Prospect" in Garrett County; 1874.
- MDMS 3873-- Letter written by J. Gadshal describing Frederick overcrowded with wounded and condition of John. [Frederick County]; 1862.
- MDMS 4322-- Deed permitting confiscated British land in Frederick County to be sold for debts, dated 1784.
- MDMS 5485--An autograph letter signed "George Rizer" (Rose Valley, Washington County) addressed to David Hoffman of Philadelphia. Contains an early reference to American steel manufacturing: "Since you have left for Europe I addressed a few lines to the care of Mr. Montgomery for you on the subject of discovering more iron ore... . I wish to inform you by this that I have since discovered what I may say an inexhaustible quantity of what men of experience say will make steel."
Photographs
The holdings of the Archives and Manuscript Department include numerous images of Western Maryland locations, the bulk of which are from the 20th Century. The following is a list of those collections that significantly feature Western Maryland.
- Papers of Celia Holland-- 20th Century. Historic buildings and sites in Maryland.
- Hughes Company Collection-- 20th Century. Business in Cumberland, Maryland.
- Papers of William Preston Lane-- 20th Century. (See Historical Manuscripts listing for more details.)
- Middletown Collection--20th Century. Views of landscapes and buildings taken on a journey from Leesburg, VA to Point of Rocks, Maryland.
- Portraits Collection-- 19th and 20th Century. H. B. McDowell and other unidentified persons and various structures.
- Subject Print Files-- 20th Century. Includes photographs under headings such as: Cascade, Catoctin Furnace, Clearspring Fish Hatchery, Cumberland, Emmittsburg, Frederick, Frederick County, Frostburg Streets, Funkstown, Gambrill State Park, Garrett County, Grantsville, Hagerstown, Hancock, Myersville, Thurmont, Washington County, and Williamsport.
- Works Progress Administration-- 20th Century. Photographs pertain to WPA efforts in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington Counties and include such subjects as: road construction and improvements, quarrying, water main construction, sewers, athletic field construction, parks construction, camp improvements, libraries, schools, reservoirs, dams, dynamite, dairies, flooding, bridges, sidewalks, airports, and landscaping. See the collection guide for more information.
Memorabilia
Memorabilia consists of historical artifacts that are housed separately from textual records and photographic materials. The memorabilia collection includes a variety of objects such as badges, ribbons, plaques, trophies, locks of hair, articles of clothing, and souvenirs. There are very few memorabilia items that relate directly to Western Maryland.
- Memorabilia 345 -- Frederick County Bicentennial Bronze Medallion. Revolutionary Barracks, Frederick on one side, Catoctin Furnace on the other.
- Memorabilia 648 -- Yellow Garrett County Historical Society Button for the Centennial of Garrett County, Maryland, 1842-1972.