Federalsburg Historical Society

Federalsburg Historical Society Dedicated to preserving & presenting the history of Federalsburg located on Maryland's Eastern Shore Meetings start at 7:00pm.

FHS meetings are open to the public and are held at the Museum on the second Tuesday of the month from February through December.

At the Federalsburg Historical Society, we love pieces that remind us how time shapes both people and places. We thought...
08/31/2026

At the Federalsburg Historical Society, we love pieces that remind us how time shapes both people and places. We thought we'd start this week off by sharing this lighthearted poem, A Prayer for Those Growing Old, that captures the humor and grace that come with experience — the gentle art of knowing when to speak, when to listen, and when to simply smile at life’s little quirks.

Aging, like history, adds depth and character. Every wrinkle tells a story, every laugh line marks a moment well‑lived. Life doesn’t fade with age, it ripens. And here in Federalsburg, we celebrate those who’ve grown older alongside our town, carrying memories, traditions, and the kind of wisdom you can’t learn from a book.

💛 May we all grow older with kindness, curiosity, and a few good friends at the end.


Discover Federalsburg’s Story Through Its Historic Plaques & MarkersEvery town has stories, but not every town preserves...
08/28/2026

Discover Federalsburg’s Story Through Its Historic Plaques & Markers

Every town has stories, but not every town preserves them. Federalsburg does. Our historic plaques and markers quietly anchor our shared memory, reminding us of the people, places, and moments that shaped our community along the Marshyhope.

Historic markers matter because they:
• Protect local heritage so future generations know where we came from.
• Connect us to place, turning everyday streets into pathways of history.
• Educate visitors and residents alike, sparking curiosity and pride.
• Honor those who served, built, and contributed to Federalsburg’s identity.

Today, we invite you to take a small local history tour — right here at home.

Historic Plaques & Markers in Federalsburg
• Zion Memorial M.E. Church- Zion United Methodist Church, Old Denton Road: Founded 1848, rebuilt 1873-1886, new building 1913
• Lions Club Community Building, Chambers Park: Built 1953
• Chambers Park Entrance: 1929
• Chambers Park Lake Area Millstones: 1938
• Masonic Temple Building, 112-116 North Main Street: 1919 (This building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places June 2, 2014.)
• Town Hall, 118 North Main Street: white brick on southeast outside corner of building indicating the high-water mark during the Great Flood of 1935.
• J.W. Stowell Printing Co., 100 block of Academy Avenue: original date 1891, also 1939
• Long & Short, 110-116 Morris Avenue on west side of building: 1905-1916 (This building was used as their warehouse.)
• Federalsburg Volunteer Fire Co., University Avenue: first 1964, then 1991
• Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 311 Greenridge Avenue: 1899-1962
• Women’s Club of Federalsburg, Morris Avenue: 1979 “Building Donated to Caroline County For Use As A Library”
• Denton National Bank, corner of Main Street and Central Avenue: no date listed
• Church of God, Bloomingdale Avenue and Old Denton Road: 1925
• Exeter, 408 Denton Road: Circa 1808 (This building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places January 3, 1978.)
• Marshyhope Creek Bridge, East Central Avenue: 1910 (Maryland Historic Trust/Maryland Highway Administration marker to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the bridge.)
• Federalsburg Area Heritage Museum, 100 Covey and Williams Alley: Dedicated October 29, 2011, plaque on wall inside front door

These sites tell the story of everyday life in Federalsburg. Whether you’re new to town or have lived here your whole life, we encourage you to visit these locations, read the plaques, and reconnect with the stories that make Federalsburg special. Snap a photo, bring a friend, or make it part of your weekend stroll, every marker has something to teach.

Did we miss a plaque or marker? If so, drop it in the comments below or better yet share a photo with us!

The Federalsburg Historical Society is proud to help preserve these pieces of our past. History lives here and we invite you to explore it.

September FHS MeetingStep inside one of Federalsburg’s most familiar landmarks!Join us for our September meeting on Tues...
08/27/2026

September FHS Meeting

Step inside one of Federalsburg’s most familiar landmarks!

Join us for our September meeting on Tuesday, September 8th as we tour the old Federalsburg Bank—also known as the old Bank of America and the McConnell Building. This historic building has been part of our downtown landscape for decades, witnessing and weathering the many changes our town has experienced over the years.

Get an insider’s perspective as the current owners welcome us for a guided tour and share their unique perspective on this special piece of Federalsburg history.

🍋 Bravanson’s Lemonade Truck will be on site from 6:00–8:00 PM, selling lemonade to sweeten the evening!

🏛️ Museum doors open at 6:30 PM. Stop in for a lemonade, catch up with friends, and take a look around the museum before we head across the parking lot at 7:00 PM to begin our tour.

All Federalsburg Historical Society meetings are free and open to the public. Whether you’re new to FHS or a longtime friend, we’d love to see you!

Come join us for an evening of local history, conversation, and a behind-the-scenes look at one of downtown Federalsburg’s enduring landmarks.

🍋🏦 Come for the History. Stay for the Squeeze. 🏦🍋📅 September 8th | Starts at 7:00 PM | FHS Meeting & Tour📍 102 North Mai...
08/27/2026

🍋🏦 Come for the History. Stay for the Squeeze. 🏦🍋

📅 September 8th | Starts at 7:00 PM | FHS Meeting & Tour
📍 102 North Main Street, Federalsburg
🍋 6:00pm - 8:00pm

The Federalsburg Historical Society, along with the owners of The McConnell Building, are opening the doors to a piece of Federalsburg’s story and inviting the community inside.

Today, we know 102 North Main Street as The McConnell Building, but over the years, this address has carried different names, served different purposes, and welcomed generations through its doors.

Names may change. The history remains.

This special tour is a chance to step inside and experience some of that history firsthand. Look a little closer at remnants of the building’s banking days, hear stories connected to this familiar Main Street address, and maybe even share a memory of your own.

But this evening isn’t only about looking backward.

🍋🚌 Bravanson’s Main Squeeze, LLC Lemonade Bus will be joining us! From 6:00pm - 8:00pm in the parking lot!

There’s something pretty fitting about celebrating the businesses and people who helped shape yesterday’s Federalsburg while a local business of today pulls up outside.

Because the small businesses, gatherings, conversations, and ordinary moments happening around town right now are the very things that become tomorrow’s local history.

Come inside for the history. Step outside for a fresh squeeze. Meet a neighbor. Share a memory. Ask a question. And experience a little piece of Federalsburg in a way you may not have before.

Many names. Many chapters. One address. One community.

P.S. Bring your Passports - This will be a FBT PASSPORT EVENT!

🍋🏦 Come for the History. Stay for the Squeeze. Yesterday’s Stories, Today’s Community. 🏦🍋

in 1908: Lyndon B. Johnson was born at Stonewall, Texas. Happy 118th birthday, President Johnson!🎉
08/27/2026

in 1908: Lyndon B. Johnson was born at Stonewall, Texas.

Happy 118th birthday, President Johnson!
🎉

Happy National Dog Day from the Federalsburg Historical Society! In rural communities like ours, dogs have always been m...
08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day from the Federalsburg Historical Society!

In rural communities like ours, dogs have always been more than pets, they’ve been farm helpers, field companions, porch guardians, and loyal friends through every season of Caroline County life.

From the early days of Federalsburg’s mills and peach orchards to the family farms that shaped our town’s identity, dogs worked right alongside local farmers:

keeping watch over livestock,

trotting the fence lines at dawn,

riding along in dusty pickup trucks, and

greeting neighbors long before the screen door opened.

Generations of Federalsburg families have stories of the dogs who knew every shortcut through the fields, every child’s favorite hiding spot, and every farmer’s whistle. They’re woven into our town’s history just as surely as the Marshyhope River and the old rail line.

Today we celebrate all the good dogs — past and present — who’ve been part of our rural story.

Here’s to the farm dogs, the porch dogs, the hunting dogs, the rescue dogs, and the faithful companions who make Federalsburg feel like home.

Happy National Dog Day, Federalsburg! In honor of Man's Best Friend, drop a photo of your cute canine, dapper doggy, handsome hound or magnificent mutt (you get the picture)!

📷Pictured: Long time FHS member and supporter, Tom Daffin (1938-2024)

Federalsburg, the Full Sturgeon Moon is almost here! On Friday, August 28, 2026, the August full moon will reach its pe...
08/25/2026

Federalsburg, the Full Sturgeon Moon is almost here!

On Friday, August 28, 2026, the August full moon will reach its peak at 12:18 am, but you’ll want to step outside at sunset on Thursday, August 27 to watch it rise in all its late‑summer glory.

We've all heard of full moons but what the heck is a Sturgeon Moon? Ancient peoples gave names to each full moon, typically selecting a moniker that matched something that regularly occurred that month or season. This particular full moon is named for the giant sturgeon once commonly caught in late summer and has long signaled the season’s slow turn toward fall. It’s a beautiful reminder to look up, slow down, and take in the night sky.

Here in Federalsburg, the name carries special meaning. Our own Marshyhope Creek is home to the Atlantic sturgeon, a federally protected, ancient species that still migrates through our waters. These “living fossils” have been part of our region’s natural story for thousands of years, making the Sturgeon Moon feel right at home above the Marshyhope.

As the Sturgeon Moon rises over the eastern horizon at sunset on August 27, you may notice it glowing with a yellow‑orange hue. That warm color comes from Rayleigh scattering, the same atmospheric effect that gives us vivid sunrises and sunsets.

And don’t be surprised if the moon looks a little larger than usual. The Moon Illusion, an optical trick of the mind, makes the lunar disk appear bigger when it’s close to the horizon and framed by trees, houses, or fields.

Whether you’re watching from your porch, the riverbank, or your favorite quiet spot, this late‑summer moon is a perfect moment to pause and appreciate the natural history that surrounds us.

From the Federalsburg Historical Society, we wish you clear skies and a beautiful Sturgeon Moon.

FROM THE ARCHIVESFederalsburg’s history is full of small surprises—objects, documents, and stories that quietly reveal h...
08/21/2026

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Federalsburg’s history is full of small surprises—objects, documents, and stories that quietly reveal how our community once fit into the larger workings of the nation. Among the most fascinating are the pieces of currency printed right here in town, tangible reminders of a time when local banks played a direct role in issuing the money people carried in their pockets. The following archival article, originally published in the September 2015 "Pride in the Past" newsletter (the original author is uncredited), explores this unique chapter in Federalsburg’s financial past and the colorful varieties of U.S. currency that once circulated across the country.

The following article is an excerpt from the September 2015 "Pride in the Past" Federalsburg Historical Society newsletter.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ONE OF THESE?

The First National Bank of Federalsburg, Maryland printed $344,910 dollars worth of national currency. That was pretty standard output for a National Bank but some types of currency from here (Federalsburg) could still be rare. The National Bank opened in 1912 and stopped printing money in 1931. During its printing time, The First National Bank of Federalsburg, assigned charter number 10210, issued 6 different types and denominations of natural currency.

When you look down at that $1 bill in your pocket, have you ever wondered why the seal is green? There were actually different styles of notes. The notes we have today are Green Seal (Federal Reserve Notes). At one time there were Blue Seal US Dollars (silver certificates) and Yellow Seal US Dollars (gold certificates) and Red Seal US Dollars (Type 1 US Notes).

The Blue Seal US Bank Notes were actually silver certificates. These notes first began circulating in 1878 and were backed by the US stockpile of silver bullion. These certificates could be redeemed for their value in silver. At first, it was through an exchange of certificates for silver dollar coins and later became an exchange for raw bullion. These notes were mainly done in 1-, 5-, and 10-dollar denominations. In 1963 the notes were discontinued with a deadline of 1968 placed on any remaining silver certificates to be redeemed for their value in silver. These notes are still considered legal tender today but are valued at their face value and not at the current silver price.

The Red Seal US Dollars (Type 1 US Notes) are interesting. They were started during the Civil War and were in production for about 100 years, making them one of the longest produced notes next to the dollar produced by the Federal Reserve. These notes were actual pieces on national debt. These notes went out of circulation in the 1960s and were removed as legal tender in the mid-90s.

The First National Bank of Federalsburg, Maryland printed:
• 5,944 sheets of $5 1902 blue seal national bank notes
• 3,626 sheets of $10 1902 blue seal national bank notes
• 593 sheets of red seal Type 1 1929 $5 national bank notes
• 291 sheets of Type 1 1929 $10 national bank notes
• 79 sheets of Type 1 1929 $20 national bank notes

Today, these notes—blue, red, yellow, and green—serve not only as collectible artifacts but as windows into the economic life of early‑20th‑century Federalsburg. They remind us that even small towns contributed to the nation’s financial story in meaningful ways. Preserved through the work of the Federalsburg Historical Society, this history continues to spark curiosity and pride, inviting us to look a little closer at the everyday objects that once passed from hand to hand in our community.

in 1833: Benjamin Harrison was born at North Bend, Ohio. Happy 193rd birthday, President Harrison!🎉
08/20/2026

in 1833: Benjamin Harrison was born at North Bend, Ohio.

Happy 193rd birthday, President Harrison!
🎉

in 1946: William "Bill" Clinton was born at Hope, Arkansas.Happy 80th birthday, President Clinton!🎉
08/19/2026

in 1946: William "Bill" Clinton was born at Hope, Arkansas.

Happy 80th birthday, President Clinton!
🎉

Address

100 Covey & Williams Alley
Federalsburg, MD
21632

Opening Hours

Friday 10am - 12pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

(443) 434-3114

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Federalsburg Historical Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category