Gaithersburg Community Museum

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Gaithersburg Community Museum

Gaithersburg Community Museum The Museum is free and features educational exhibits and programs designed to spark interest and imagination in our City’s history. The City of Gaithersburg's Community Museum is located in the restored 1884 B&O Railroad Station complex.
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The Museum features educational exhibits and programs designed to spark visitors' interest and imagination in our City's history. The Community Museum occupies the historic Freight House, the History Park and the B&O Caboose. Designed by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Head Architect, Ephraim Francis Baldwin, the Gaithersburg Railroad Station was built in 1884. This enabled Gaithersburg, previously known as both Forest Oak and Logtown, new and expedited shipping opportunities south, to Washington, DC. The commercial opportunities this access afforded helped develop the burgeoning Gaithersburg economy. In 1978, its buildings were placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is open Thursday-Saturday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Additional hours are available by appointment. Handicap accessible.

Operating as usual

09/19/2020

Talk Like a Pirate Day

We have had an adventure filled Talk Like a Pirate Day

09/19/2020

Cap'n Q and Crab Claw Chris

Cap’n Q (author @MaryQuattlebaum) and crew will take you on a literary adventure with "Pirate vs Pirate!"

09/19/2020

Pirate Nell's Tale to Tell

Helen Docherty will be LIVE reading from her new book "Pirate Nell’s Tale to Tell." Books can be ordered at https://www.anovelbookshop.com/book/9781492698678 or your favorite bookstore. For more on Helen Docherty go to https://www.helendocherty.com/.

09/19/2020

Helen and Thomas Docherty will be joining us LIVE at 11:30!

09/19/2020

How to Make an Eyepatch

Every proper pirate needs an eyepatch! To do this craft you'll need an old styrofoam tray, like those used for meat or vegetables, well washed, and two pieces of ribbon.

09/19/2020

It's Talk Like a Pirate Day! Learn how to make a pirate hook!

Welcome all ye pirates 'n pirates in training. Learn how to make a hook just in case some wandering crocodile bites one o' yours off.

September is International Underground Railroad Month. See why Maryland is The Most Powerful Underground Railroad Storyt...

09/18/2020

Open for Heroes

September is International Underground Railroad Month. See why Maryland is The Most Powerful Underground Railroad Storytelling Destination in the World.

September is International Underground Railroad Month, Maryland is the most powerful destination for authentic Underground Railroad history.

09/18/2020

Every proper pirate needs an eyepatch! To do this craft you'll need an old styrofoam tray, like those used for meat or vegetables, well washed, and two pieces of ribbon.

09/18/2020

09/17/2020

Happy Constitution Day! On this day in 1787, the U.S. Constitution was signed. This year the Constitution has been making headlines for a number of reasons. 2020 is the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment giving women the vote. That this landmark anniversary also coincides with a contentious presidential election has put a spotlight on what it means to exercise your right to vote and the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen of the United States.

The City of Gaithersburg has a series of programs to explore the history of the fight to get the 19th Amendment. You can find them all here: https://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/recreation/recreation-calendar/women-s-suffrage-centennial-series

09/17/2020

2020census.gov

Happy Constitution Day! On this day in 1787, the U.S. Constitution was signed. This year the Constitution has been making headlines for a number of reasons. 2020 is a census year and the need for a decennial census was spelled out in Article 1 Section 2 of the Constitution:

"… Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct..."

We are a nation represented by its residents. Accurate representation can't be determined unless people are counted. They can't be counted unless they participate in the census. If you haven't sent in your census form, TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR YOU TO BE COUNTED

09/16/2020

September is Fall Hat Month. Have fun making this newspaper hat. We made ours the month we were exploring the letter "Hh" for Storytime Station. You don't have to decorate your hat with H things. Decorate it however you like.

09/15/2020

Helen Docherty

Helen and Thomas Docherty will [virtually] be at Talk Like a Pirate Day. You can watch them on Saturday at 11:30 am. For more information go to https://business.facebook.com/events/767689834044592/

Pirate Nell's Tale to Tell is published TODAY by Sourcebooks

Don't forget to put all these amazing suffrage programs on your calendar. There is something for all ages to enjoy and l...

09/11/2020

Women’s Suffrage Centennial Series | Gaithersburg, MD

Don't forget to put all these amazing suffrage programs on your calendar. There is something for all ages to enjoy and learn.

August 18, 2020, marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. In commemoration of this historic event, the City presents the “Women’s Suffrage Centennial Series,” with educational events & an art exhibit exploring the women’s suffra...

Although few details are known, and no images have been released, the Chinese did apparently launch a reusable spacecraf...

09/10/2020

The launch and landing of China’s reusable spacecraft | EarthSky.org

Although few details are known, and no images have been released, the Chinese did apparently launch a reusable spacecraft on September 4, 2020. It appears to have deployed a satellite to orbit and then returned to Earth safely 2 days later.

09/10/2020

Getting ready for Talk Like a Pirate Day. You can find out about everything that's happening here: https://business.facebook.com/events/767689834044592/

09/09/2020

EO Explorer

Explore your backyard or the other side of the Earth with EO Explorer. For more than 20 years, the Earth Observatory has published stories from all over our planet.

climate change, global climate change, global warming, natural hazards, Earth, environment, remote sensing, atmosphere, land processes, oceans, volcanoes, land cover, Earth science data, NASA, environmental processes, Blue Marble, global maps

09/08/2020

This week's Weekly Challenge is simply to read! Build time into your day to read for fun. We read so much for school and work that we often forget that reading a book with a good story can be fun.

Decades after scientists decided that the Brontosaurus never actually existed, new research says the opposite. This is e...

09/03/2020

The Brontosaurus Is Back

Decades after scientists decided that the Brontosaurus never actually existed, new research says the opposite. This is exciting news for those of us who started life learning about the Brontosaurus only to be told it was actually an Apatosaurus.

Decades after scientists decided that the famed dinosaur never actually existed, new research says the opposite

09/03/2020

TBT - Gaithersburg School kindergarten class of 1935

09/01/2020

Newest exhibit at the museum is about the geodetic monuments at Observatory Park
#nationalgeodeticsurveymarkers

Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn are in the sky at dusk throughout September 2020, with Mercury hard to view from northerly l...

09/01/2020

September 2020 guide to the bright planets | EarthSky.org

Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn are in the sky at dusk throughout September 2020, with Mercury hard to view from northerly latitudes. Bright Mars rises in the east in the early evening. Brilliant Venus rides high in the east in the hours before sunrise.

09/01/2020

Haven't posted a trainspotting picture in a while.

09/01/2020

NASA's Commercial Crew Program is holding an artwork contest Now through October 28, 2020 for children ages four to 12 years old. The winning artwork will be used to create a 2021 calendar,.

08/31/2020

It's the first day of the school year and it's starting in a way we've never experienced before. What are your expectations? This week's Weekly Challenge is all about that.

08/28/2020

NASA's Guide to Near-light-speed Travel

So you’ve somehow rigged up your spaceship to travel almost at the speed of light? … Before you fly off all willy-nilly, however, there are some important things you should probably know about approaching the speed of light.

So, you've just put the finishing touches on upgrades to your spaceship, and now it can fly at almost the speed of light. We're not quite sure how you pulled...

Have you taken up bread making or cheese making in quarantine? If so, this series of mini-seminars might be of interest.

08/26/2020

Fermentology Mini-Seminars | Applied Ecology | NC State University

Have you taken up bread making or cheese making in quarantine? If so, this series of mini-seminars might be of interest.

Fermentology Mini-Seminars April 3, 2020 | Michelle Jewell Last updated July 22, 2020. Join us for a series of short talks (20 minutes on average) about the culture, history and science behind the foods you have at home. All talks are Thursday at 4pm EDT, unless otherwise specified, and open ...

08/26/2020

Maryland and the Suffrage Movement

If you weren't able to watch our program on Maryland and the Suffrage Movement with Susan Philpott, the video has been posted to youtube with captions.

WE ARE OPEN...by appointment. Call or email the museum at 301-258-6160 or museum@gaithersburgmd.gov to arrange a time. W...

08/25/2020

WE ARE OPEN...by appointment. Call or email the museum at 301-258-6160 or [email protected] to arrange a time. With COVID there are some restrictions:
- one family unit per visit
- visitors over the age of 2 must wear a mask
- changes have been made to the hands-on displays and activities

08/25/2020

NASA Langley Research Center

Have fun creating this model of Ingenuity, the new Mars helicopter.

Build Your Own Mars Helicopter (for students in grades K-5), materials are needed to participate: https://go.nasa.gov/2CEf5oh. Learn more about the Mars Helicopter: https://mars.nasa.gov/technology/helicopter/.

Join us live for this session on Tuesday, August 25 at 9am during Virtual Youth Day! Have questions? Drop them in the comments to interact with our subject matter expert while you watch!

In astronomical lingo, this is not a "half moon." Learn why.

08/25/2020

Quarter moon or a half moon? | EarthSky.org

In astronomical lingo, this is not a "half moon." Learn why.

Half the moon always faces us. And half the moon is always lit by the sun. But, in the language of astronomers, there are no 'half moons.'

08/24/2020

Tour the museum

We're open starting tomorrow, by appointment. We've made some changes to the museum. We're happy about them and we think you will be too!

OTD in 1814 the Americans were defeated at the Battle of Bladensburg.

08/24/2020

A Humiliating American Defeat at Bladensburg

OTD in 1814 the Americans were defeated at the Battle of Bladensburg.

This 18 pound cannonball was donated to the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab several years ago by a nearby resident who found it on his property. Doubtless, this cannonball was fired during…

The Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission has developed a timeline for the suffrage movement as it connects...

08/21/2020

Women’s Suffrage Project - Montgomery Planning

The Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission has developed a timeline for the suffrage movement as it connects to Maryland and Montgomery County.

Project Background August 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. This monumental action guaranteed that...

Address

9 S Summit Ave
Gaithersburg, MD
20877

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10:00 - 15:00
Wednesday	10:00 - 15:00
Thursday	10:00 - 15:00
Friday	10:00 - 15:00

Telephone

(301) 258-6160

Website

https://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/about-us/city-facilities/gaithersburg-community-museum

Alerts

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Videos

Pirate Nell's Tale to Tell

How to Make an Eyepatch

Every proper pirate needs an eyepatch! To do this craft you'll need an old styrofoam tray, like those used for meat or vegetables, well washed, and two pieces of ribbon.

Talk Like a Pirate Day

We have had an adventure filled Talk Like a Pirate Day

Cap'n Q and Crab Claw Chris

Cap’n Q (author @MaryQuattlebaum) and crew will take you on a literary adventure with "Pirate vs Pirate!"

It's Talk Like a Pirate Day! Learn how to make a pirate hook!

Welcome all ye pirates 'n pirates in training. Learn how to make a hook just in case some wandering crocodile bites one o' yours off.

Tour the museum

We're open starting tomorrow, by appointment. We've made some changes to the museum. We're happy about them and we think you will be too!

Maryland and the Suffrage Movement

August 18th marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.Maryland had a very active suffrage organization even while the state's political leaders were mostly against passage. Learn more about this critical time with Susan Philpott, a National Park ranger at the Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument.

Virtual Skywatching: Mars Rovers

Making "Craters" with Water Balloons - Pt 2

The staff at the museum decided to make our own simulated moon "craters" using water balloons. Part 2 (because we are still learning how to do this).

Making "Craters" with Water Balloons - Pt 1

The staff at the museum decided to make our own simulated moon "craters" using water balloons. Part 1 (because we are still learning how to do this).

Make a Comet on a Stick

With Comet NEOWISE in the night sky, we thought it would be fun to make a comet craft. You will also find out what a comet is and how it differs from an asteroid or a meteor.

Flag Day

Happy Flag Day! Learn how you can respectfully retire a United States flag. #StayHomeGaithersburg

Floating Cup Experiment

Happy Star Wars Day! Tensional integrity or “tensegrity” uses the force of tension against gravity to balance an object, in this case a plastic cup. It looks like the cup is floating. But it’s not magic, it’s physics!

Nebula Art

We may not be able to have skywatching tonight, but we can still have some hands-on fun. Thanks to NISE Network for this great project and #SpaceTelescopeScienceInstitue for helping create this celebration of the Hubble. Also, thanks to Rockville Science Center, which would have been co-sponsoring the skywayching program. #Hubble30 #StayHomeGaithersburg

Make a Water Cycle Activity

Have fun making the model of the water cycle at home. All you need is a ziplock bag, a sharpie, water, and some tape.

It’s that time of year! We're unboxing science kits from our friends at NISE Network! Join us as we check out this year’s goodies!

We see #trackwork in our future. #CSX #trainspotting

Live Locos g-scale steam engines are chugging away.

#ggauge #steamengines at #trainday

World Space Week

Please join us this week for some hands-on activities.

Inquiring Minds

We had a great time at Wednesday's Inquiring Minds making harmonicas and castanets.

We'll be partying until 3. #endofschoolyear #1stdayofsummer

sorry. No #fountain today... unless the temperature gets to 70°

#TrainDay

Busy, busy #TrainDay. Stop by anytime until 2:30. #free #GburgFun

Moving the Light Tower

Moving the Color Position Light Tower to a safe location while it awaits reinstallation as an outdoor exhibit.

Unboxing part 2 of our NISE Network Earth/Space science kits!

We're unboxing science kits from our friends at NISE Network!

Museum Review

A review of the museum from one of our fans.

Our Story

Local history full steam ahead at the Gaithersburg Community Museum! Located in the restored 1884 B&O Railroad complex in Olde Towne, the museum bridges Gaithersburg’s past and present for visitors of all ages. Exhibits in the Freight House and rail cars explore our rich history and hands-on learning centers for children spark the imagination. The Station, an active commuter stop, houses dining and restroom facilities, and the outdoor interpretive spaces, with the ever-popular rolling stock, offer the possibility of experiencing the sights and sounds of the trains that frequently rumble past the Museum.

The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Additional hours are available by appointment.

Nearby Observatory Park is home to the Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory. Operating from 1899-1982, the Observatory was one of six worldwide that measured the wobble of the earth on its polar axis leading to improved navigation and significant scientific discoveries. This outdoor interpretive space highlights the importance of the scientific work conducted here for nearly a century.

Observatory Park is open from dawn to dusk with informational signs for visitors to take a self guided tour. The Latitude Observatory building is open during special events.