Sykesville Gate House Museum

10/11/2026

From the archives: Check out this teenage band called High Voltage! Formed from students attending South Carroll High in 1980, they performed to a "large group" of locals at the Eldersburg Elementary Spring Festival. Two of the members graduated from Sykesville Middle.

Where is the band today? Our research is inconclusive, and judging by the lack of internet buzz, the Gate House assumes the band fizzled out after this moment.

Did you ever get to hear High Voltage perform? Let us know in the comments! And come visit the Gate House Museum during our operational hours: Tuesdays 10-4, Fridays 10-4, Sundays 12-5.

10/10/2026

10/10/2026

Stop by the Gate House Museum before the movie! We will be open this evening from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

09/28/2026

Every military uniform tells a different story. This one, donated to the Gate House Museum in 1999 by Nancy Smith (050.99), showcases the transition from the end of World War II to the Cold War.

The "Blue Devils" label alongside the blue clover is the patch for the 88th Infantry, who saw combat in North Africa and Italy in WWII. On the sleeve of the shirt, we also can tell that this soldier earned the rank of Staff Sergeant (the patch below the blue clover).

But this soldier's service didn't end in WWII! On his second shirt, we see a patch for the Army Ballistic Missile Agency, represented by a red-and-blue diamond with a missile in the center. This agency was formed during the Eisenhower administration, and served as a military program to develop ballistic missiles. The civilian director was Wernher von Braun, who would go on to direct the NASA program. In fact, many assets of ABMA would go on to form the foundation of NASA.

Lastly, the patch sewn above the right-breast pocket signals that this soldier was honorably discharged, settling into civilian life in the Sykesville area.

With just one uniform we can connect the dots between the European theater of WWII, the Cold War, NASA, and finally, little old Sykesville! Want to learn more about the intersection of military history and Sykesville? Visit us during our operating hours: Tuesdays 10-4, Fridays 10-4, and Sundays 12-5.

09/25/2026

The 1970s sure were a crazy time! Case in point, in 1978, a local Sykesville resident owned a pet lion. The article states that the lion, Sheba, "enjoys taking rides in Joe's truck." Imagine seeing that while walking downtown!

For more fascinating facts about Sykesville, visit us during our operational hours! Tuesdays 10-4, Fridays 10-4, and Sundays 12-5.

09/22/2026

Check out this 1911 map of Sykesville by the Sanborn Map Company, currently available online through the Library of Congress. These maps were created to allow fire insurance companies to access their total liability in urbanized areas of the United States. We have an enlarged and framed copy of the downtown Main Street map on display in the museum. We also have the 1924 version on display, which is not yet accessible online. Our Main Street looks remarkably the same today!

Aug 1911. 3 sheet(s).

09/15/2026

Twenty Years of the Historic Sykesville Colored Schoolhouse

On September 15, 2006, the restoration of the Historic Sykesville Colored Schoolhouse was formally dedicated—honoring the pupils and teachers who learned within its walls from 1904 to 1939 and ensuring that the building could continue serving future generations.

Twenty years later, the Schoolhouse remains an important part of Sykesville’s story. It stands not only as a reminder of the Town’s past, but as a living community space shaped by decades of preservation, volunteerism, education, and care.

We are grateful to the many organizations, donors, volunteers, historians, and community members who helped save and restore this landmark, and to those who continue caring for it today.

As we mark the 20th anniversary of its restoration dedication, we celebrate the Schoolhouse for what it represents: history preserved, stories remembered, and a community continuing to learn from the place that came before us.

09/13/2026

Here is an ad from the September 12, 1929 Sykesville Herald-Messenger, announcing an in-store food demonstration at the A.C. Brown store on Main Street Sykesville.(https://www.thegatehousemuseum.com/7568-main-street). The products being advertised were Swift & Company Premium Country Roll (a pork sausage) and the increasingly popular "Gem Mayonaise Dressing & Sandwich Spread" which featured a mayonnaise-based dressing mixed with finely chopped pickles relishes, red bell peppers and spices. These items were representative of the beginning of the rapidly growing processed food period.

Gate House Museum hours are Sunday 12-5, Tuesday 10-4, and Friday 10-4.

09/12/2026

Unfortunately, the movie in the park has been cancelled tonight due to the weather forecast so we will not be open. We will re-open tomorrow, September 13, for our usual Sunday hours of 12-5 pm.

CANCELLED!

Due to a very high likelihood of Thunderstorms this evening we have had to cancel The Goonies for this evening. We hope you understand and we’ll see you the final movie of the season next month: Scooby Doo! Costume contest details coming soon.

09/12/2026

We are open tonight 5:30- 7:30 before the movie in the park!

Hey you guys! The Goonies is THIS SATURDAY!

Join us at Millard Cooper Park for the next Sykesville Cinema night, featuring The Goonies on the big screen.

Pre-movie fun starts at 6:00 PM, including crafts, activities, and a special treasure hunt with hidden treasure chests for kids to find.

The movie begins at 7:30 PM.

Bring a blanket or chair, grab a good spot, and come enjoy an evening of adventure with us!