Brunswick Heritage Museum

12/29/2022

For those that are considering year-end tax-deductible donations, we ask that you consider a donation to the Brunswick Potomac Foundation, the owners and operators of the Brunswick Heritage Museum.

A 501 (c) 3 Maryland Non-Profit since 1969, we have two significant funding opportunities; the restoration of the front facade of the Red Men's Building (the home of the Museum) and Operational Assitance.

Checks can be sent to:
Brunswick Heritage Museum
40 West Potomac Street
Brunswick, MD 21716

Paypal payments are accepted here:
paypal.me/BrunswickMuseum

12/23/2022

Just a reminder that the Brunswick Heritage Museum will be open from Noon until 4:00 PM today. Admission is FREE!

Only 4 more days to enjoy the Brunswick Heritage Museum until we close until March of 2023.

The Museum announces our Holiday Schedule:
December 17th 10 AM - 4 PM
December 18th 1 PM- 4 PM - Santa Visits the Museum and a Holiday Storytime at 2:00 PM
December 23rd Noon- 4 PM
December 30th Noon- 4 PM

12/14/2022

Only 4 more days to enjoy the Brunswick Heritage Museum until we close until March of 2023.

The Museum announces our Holiday Schedule:
December 17th 10 AM - 4 PM
December 18th 1 PM- 4 PM - Santa Visits the Museum and a Holiday Storytime at 2:00 PM
December 23rd Noon- 4 PM
December 30th Noon- 4 PM

12/09/2022

We take this moment to thank all the folks that donated towards our "Giving Tuesday" campaign. If you still would like to donate, the details are listed below. We are always thankful for your support.

Today is giving Tuesday and we hope you can support the Brunswick Heritage Museum.

There are many ways to donate to us:

Visit www.brunswickmuseum.org and make a PayPal donation.

Send a check to:
40 West Potomac Street
Brunswick, MD 21716

Go to PayPal directly and donate to

12/02/2022

If you are participating in the festivities in Downtown Brunswick this Saturday please stop in and see us at the Brunswick Heritage Museum. Admission is FREE and we will be open 10 AM until 4 PM.

11/29/2022

Today is giving Tuesday and we hope you can support the Brunswick Heritage Museum.

There are many ways to donate to us:

Visit www.brunswickmuseum.org and make a PayPal donation.

Send a check to:
40 West Potomac Street
Brunswick, MD 21716

Go to PayPal directly and donate to

11/28/2022

Tomorrow is giving Tuesday and we hope you can support the Brunswick Heritage Museum.

There are many ways to donate to us:
Visit www.brunswickmuseum.org and make a PayPal donation.

Send a check to:
40 West Potomac Street
Brunswick, MD 21716

Go to PayPal directly and donate to

11/24/2022

We are more than your local nonprofit Museum, we are also proud to be a U.S. Small Business. We hope you can support us on Small Business Saturday. We will be open 10-4 and our Museum Store is fully stocked with item that make great gifts.

11/21/2022

Just a reminder that we will be open this Friday from 10-4. We will be decorating the Museum for the holiday season but the trains will be running and admission is always FREE!

Help us decorate and/or enjoy the museum this Friday, the first Friday we have been open in more than 2 years.

11/01/2022

We are so sorry to report our elevator is out of service.

A major electrical part has failed and while on order, has a 2 month out delivery date. Sadly we also had to dig deeply into our operating costs to cover this expense and now need to step our fundraising up another notch to cover this unforeseen expense of $92,500.

So, we do apologize for this significant inconvenience but would also ask you consider a donation to help us stay on track. We have refoucsed a grant from the City for our facade to cover the cost, we now need to backfil the $92,500 void for the facade.

Can you assist?
Payments by check can be sent to
Brunswick Potomac Foundation, Inc.
40 West Potomac Street
Brunswick, MD 21716

We can also arrange credit card payments at the Museum front Desk or via PayPal by sending an email to [email protected] or making a PayPal donation on our website, www.brunswickmuseum.org.

10/29/2022

Our Executive Director and local historian is looking forward to this presentation on Sunday at the Brunswick Library. He will be there at 1:00 pm and if any books are sold, the profits will be donated to the Friends of the Brunswick Library.

Please come out for this very unique event suitable for adults and teens.

10/27/2022

We are announcing that all the Brunswick History and Ghost Walks this year are canceled.

Brakeman Jim's COVID has turned into 'Long" COVID with Bronchitis. His DR. (and wife) gave him a stern warning of this turning into pneumonia.

We are sorry to cancel.

We hope you look into the walks for next year.

We will still host the Ghost Pit's Investigation this Saturday. 6-10 pm at $15 per person. Email [email protected] to reserve your spot.

10/09/2022

The Brunswick Heritage Museum was delighted to enjoy a visit by area resident Jim Stewart. Mr. Stewart donated $4,000 towards the Museum's Facade Renovation Project.

Mr. Stewart's donation was in honor of the following family members:

Herbert Pentoney- Former Brunswick Railroader
Charles Pentoney- Former Brunswick Railroader
Alfred (Wade) Hoar- Former Brunswick Railroader
Doug & Kathy Stewart - Parents
Jim & Sonja Stewart - Benefactor Level Donation

We greatly thank Mr. Stewart for his donation. Pictured are Jim Stewart and Museum President Julie Kloetzli.

We still have the following donor levels available to help us raise the remaining funds needed for the facade rehabilitation project:
$25 - Brakeman
(Name on an “Available for Duty” roster to be posted on the third floor of the museum)
$60 - Engineer
(Name on an "Available for Duty” roster to be posted on the third floor of the museum)
$120 - Conductor
(Name on an "Available for Duty” roster to be posted on the third floor of the museum)
$250 - Yardmaster
(Name on a Yardmaster sign on the third floor of the museum)
$500 - Museum Benefactor
(Receive a brick in our brick walk and your name on a plaque which will reside on the Museum’s third floor)
$1,000 - RR Tycoon
(Receive a brick in our brick walk and your name on a plaque which will reside on the Museum"s third floor and associated with a piece of rolling stock on our model layout)
Payments by check can be sent to
Brunswick Potomac Foundation, Inc.
40 West Potomac Street
Brunswick, MD 21716
We can also arrange credit card payments at the Museum front Desk or via PayPal by sending an email to [email protected] or making a PayPal donation on our website, www.brunswickmuseum.org.

10/07/2022

Antique garments tell the story of Brunswick’s past

We made the news!

Articles of clothing are among the best museum exhibits for helping visitors feel a personal connection to history, according to James Castle, director of the Brunswick Heritage Museum.

10/03/2022

On a recent visit to the Brunswick Heritage Museum, Rob Dowling made an important donation to the Museum. Mr. Dowling is the Great Grandson of Dr. Horine. Donated to the Museum were about 50 items from Dr. Horine's Drug Store. Items included the good Dr.s medicine bag, apothecary bottles, drug store glasses, Ice cream dishes, and silver serving wear from the Drug Store. Also donated were marble and brass scales and a victrola from the house above the store. Pictured are Museum President Julie Kloetzli, Rob & Carina Dowling, and their dog Elmer.

Mr. Dowling met our Executive Director, James Castle, years ago when the Horine Mural was dedicated. They have kept in touch and Mr. Dowling has made numerous donations to the Museum. Mr. Castle is excited about this latest donation stating that the Museum now has enough items to complete a dedicated Horine display at the Museum.

09/30/2022

Just a reminder that while Brunswick Railroad Days are canceled, the Brunswick Heritage Museum will be open this weekend. Come and see us this weekend Saturday 10-4 and Sunday 1-4.

09/28/2022

What's the good news about a rainy weekend? The Brunswick Heritage Museum offers you an indoor destination between the raindrops. We will be open rain or shine this weekend during Railroad Days. Come see our large model train layout and our history displays that interpret life here as a Canal and Railroad town.

We hope to see you this weekend!

09/27/2022

Spooky Season has arrived again in Brunswick. The Brunswick Heritage Museum is happy to offer the following special programming this season:

Brunswick History and Ghost Walk
October 21st
7-9 PM
Join Brakeman Jim as he offers this popular one mile walking tour around downtown Brunswick. Learn about Brunswick’s Haunted Heritage, Walter’s Spirit, Old Berlin, Wall Whispers, Officer Orrison and much more.
$10 per person. RSVP to [email protected] to reserve your spot.

Brunswick History and Ghost Walk
October 22nd
5-7 PM
7-9 PM
Join Brakeman Jim as he offers this popular one mile walking tour around downtown Brunswick. Learn about Brunswick’s Haunted Heritage, Walter’s Spirit, Old Berlin, Wall Whispers, Officer Orrison and much more.
$10 per person. RSVP to [email protected] to reserve your spot.

Brunswick History and Ghost Walk
October 28th
7-9 PM
Join Brakeman Jim as he offers this popular one mile walking tour around downtown Brunswick. Learn about Brunswick’s Haunted Heritage, Walter’s Spirit, Old Berlin, Wall Whispers, Officer Orrison and much more.
$10 per person. RSVP to [email protected] to reserve your spot.

Brunswick History and Ghost Walk / Ghost Pit Investigation
October 29th
4-6 PM Walk
6-10 PM Investigation
$25 Package for both events

Join Brakeman Jim as he offers this popular one mile walking tour around downtown Brunswick. Learn about Brunswick’s Haunted Heritage, Walter’s Spirit, Old Berlin, Wall Whispers, Officer Orrison and much more.

After the walk, join members of the Ghost Pit as they allow you to use their equipment to investigate the Historic Brunswick Heritage Museum Building.
$25.00 package for both events. RSVP to [email protected] to reserve your spot.

October 30th
2:00 PM
Brunswick Public Library
FREE EVENT

Join local historian James R. Castle for an event for adults and teens regarding Brunswick’s spooky past. Ghost stories will be shared as well as a hands-on demonstration of equipment used for investigating the paranormal.

09/26/2022

Happy Monday!

Time to thank our recent round of donors towards our $25,000 fundraising goal for our facade project.

Today we thank:
Amy Lynn Adams - Conductor
Julie Kloetzli - Brakeman
Saskia Van Oot - Brakeman
Michele Wilson - Brakeman
Mary Belamy
Amanda Egebreacht
Amy Reams

With these donations, our total raised towards our $25K goal is $3,880.

We still have the following donor levels available to help us raise the remaining funds needed for the facade rehabilitation project:

$25 - Brakeman
(Name on an “Available for Duty” roster to be posted on the third floor of the museum)

$60 - Engineer
(Name on an "Available for Duty” roster to be posted on the third floor of the museum)

$120 - Conductor
(Name on an "Available for Duty” roster to be posted on the third floor of the museum)

$250 - Yardmaster
(Name on a Yardmaster sign on the third floor of the museum)

$500 - Museum Benefactor
(Receive a brick in our brick walk and your name on a plaque which will reside on the Museum’s third floor)

$1,000 - RR Tycoon
(Receive a brick in our brick walk and your name on a plaque which will reside on the Museum"s third floor and associated with a piece of rolling stock on our model layout)

Payments by check can be sent to
Brunswick Potomac Foundation, Inc.
40 West Potomac Street
Brunswick, MD 21716

We can also arrange credit card payments at the Museum front Desk or via PayPal by sending an email to [email protected] or making a PayPal donation on our website, www.brunswickmuseum.org.

09/08/2022

We share this great event with the hope you will attend to hear some great music and enjoy this great new venue.

08/26/2022

The Brunswick Heritage Museum greatly thanks our most recent donors to our Facade Restoration Project. To date, we have raised $3,680 towards our goal of $25,000.

Today we thank:

Museum Benefactor:
C. M. Bloomers
John Dayton

Conductor:
Jackie Ebersole in honor of her Brother, David McIntosh on the publication of his new book.

Engineer:
Gaius Newton
Patti Raynor
R. D. Ault

We still have the following donor levels available to help us raise the remaining funds needed for the facade rehabilitation project:

$25 - Brakeman
(Name on an “Available for Duty” roster to be posted on the third floor of the museum)

$60 - Engineer
(Name on an "Available for Duty” roster to be posted on the third floor of the museum)

$120 - Conductor
(Name on an "Available for Duty” roster to be posted on the third floor of the museum)

$250 - Yardmaster
(Name on a Yardmaster sign on the third floor of the museum)

$500 - Museum Benefactor
(Receive a brick in our brick walk and your name on a plaque which will reside on the Museum’s third floor)

$1,000 - RR Tycoon
(Receive a brick in our brick walk and your name on a plaque which will reside on the Museum"s third floor and associated with a piece of rolling stock on our model layout)

Payments by check can be sent to
Brunswick Potomac Foundation, Inc.
40 West Potomac Street
Brunswick, MD 21716

We can also arrange credit card payments at the Museum front Desk or via PayPal by sending an email to [email protected] or making a PayPal donation on our website, www.brunswickmuseum.org.

08/16/2022

Museum Passes 10% Benchmark of Fundraising Goal

The Brunswick Heritage Museum is happy to report achieving a 10% benchmark ($2,500) in their fundraising goal of $25,000. Can the museum reach 20% in its second week of fundraising? With your help, we can do it!

The Museum greatly appreciates the following new donors to our facade project:

Engineers:
Nathan Brown
Donna Shullenbarger
Thomas White
Dorthy Van Steinburg
- In Memory of William Daugherty and Arlington Ayres
Erica Mainez
Patrick Donovan

Conductors:
Ann Smallwood
Sue & Bill Blair
Mickey Lynn (In Memory of Lee Lynn)
Marsha Gonzales
Jim & Sandy Cox
James & Katherine Beck
-In Memory of Dr. Horine

Yardmasters:
Bannano Family
John Kreitz
Andy St.John
Marilyn Johnson
Harry Lindquist

Special Thanks to the Frederick County Museum Consortium for donating a stipend for a James R. Castle presentation on Berlin to the Museum's Facade Project. The funds were used for matching funds to elevate smaller donations into higher donation brackets.

We still have the following donor levels available to help us raise the remaining funds needed for the facade rehabilitation project:

$25 - Brakeman
(Name on an “Available for Duty” roster to be posted on the third floor of the museum)

$60 - Engineer
(Name on an "Available for Duty” roster to be posted on the third floor of the museum)

$120 - Conductor
(Name on an "Available for Duty” roster to be posted on the third floor of the museum)

$250 - Yardmaster
(Name on a Yardmaster sign on the third floor of the museum)

$500 - Museum Benefactor
(Receive a brick in our brick walk and your name on a plaque which will reside on the Museum’s third floor)

$1,000 - RR Tycoon
(Receive a brick in our brick walk and your name on a plaque which will reside on the Museum"s third floor and associated with a piece of rolling stock on our model layout)

Payments by check can be sent to
Brunswick Potomac Foundation, Inc.
40 West Potomac Street
Brunswick, MD 21716

We can also arrange credit card payments at the Museum front Desk or via PayPal by sending an email to [email protected] or making a PayPal donation on our website, www.brunswickmuseum.org.

08/14/2022

The Brunswick Heritage Museum is happy to offer this newly-released book: "John Ballendine: Early Developer of Potomac River By-Pass Canals, and Developments on the Occoquan And James Rivers" by David McIntosh and Don Peterson.

The story is about a commoner in the 1700s, a man with high intellect, a dreamer who brought safer navigation on the Potomac River, but a stone mansion at Occoquan that rivaled many of the homes of British royalty in the Colonies, built the first four-story grist mill in the Colonies, and was a "doer" who built by-pass canals around the hazardous rapids at Senneca Falls and Litte Falls, which promoted greater use of the Potomac River and increased economic benefits to the colonists in Virginia and Maryland.

"This quality hard-bound book is written by a man who has dedicated many years to researching canals and his friend who is a great researcher and has authored many books on history. I look forward to learning about John Ballendine."
-James R. Castle, Local Brunswick Historian

The book is $25 and is available at the Museum Store open Saturdays from 10-4 and Sundays from 1-4 at 40 West Potomac Street in Brunswick.