Repudiation On November 23, 1765, one of the first official acts against the British Government took place in Frederick County. In an act of defiance against the unpopular Stamp Act, members of the Frederick County Court issued a writ on unstamped, untaxed paper. Their act of defiance was greeted by angry residents who hung the stamp collector in effigy and buried a copy of the despised act.

SCHOOL GROUPS

The Historical Society provides programs for students of all ages, PreK-12th Grade. Through outreach programs, museum tours, and walking tours we can help educate students about their county and nation’s history. The art and essay contests continue to promote an interest in our vast history to young people. In addition to the program offerings included here, the Historical Society can present a Customized program for your curriculum. All of our programs augment the Maryland State Voluntary Curriculum in a variety of subjects. All programs are FREE to Frederick County Public Schools. For more information, download our Teacher Resources Guide [PDF, 1.59MB] To book a program, contact Ellen Seagraves at 301/663-1188, or at eseagraves@hsfcinfo.org.

Grades PreK-2

hiSTORY Hour: In this Outreach program, educators read an historically- themed picture book to your class. Historical games and crafts are included. For the complete book and subject list click here. [PDF, 120KB]
How We Got From Here to There: This Outreach program explores the history of transportation, including walking, horseback riding, canals and trains.
2nd Grade Community Walking Tours: This Downtown Walking Tour is designed to allow children to discover the value of citizenship through an hour tour of the thriving community of Frederick, MD.
Life in the “Middling Class”: Come to the Roger Brooke Taney House to learn what life was like for the “Middling Class” in 19th Century America.

Grades 3-8

Maryland mein Heimatland: This Outreach program delves into Frederick’s early history as a colonial outpost and investigates the cultural impact that the German settlers made on the English colonial community.
Revolutions and Railroads, a History of Frederick County: From revolting over the Stamp Act, to hosting both the C&O Canal and the B&O Railroad, Frederick County history consistently reflects the history of the greater United States. This Outreach program introduces students to Frederick’s history while emphasizing its role in national events.
From Corsets to Couture, The History of Fashion: In this Outreach program, one lucky young lady gets to dress up as students learn about clothing from the 18th to the 20th centuries.
The Jacob Englebrecht Diaries, A Lesson in Primary Sources: This Outreach program utilizes excerpts from Frederick diarist Jacob Englebrecht, as well as photographs and newspaper articles to introduce students to the importance of Primary Sources to historical research.
Frederick History Walking Tour: This Walking Tour of downtown Frederick introduces important moments in American History through the eyes of our local residents.
If Walls Could Talk: Come to the Museum of Frederick County History for a tour of the house and a lesson in Primary Sources.(Available March 2008)
History of Frederick County: Tour the Museum of Frederick County History for a tour of a Federal style Mansion and lesson on the history of our County.
Roger Brooke Taney, Lawyer and Judge: Roger Brooke Taney is perhaps one of the most infamous people to come from Frederick because of his role as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court during the Dred Scott Case. This program, at the Roger Brooke Taney House, explore Taney’s early career as a Frederick lawyer and concludes with a discussion on the Dred Scott Case, itself.

Grades 9-12

The Jacob Englebrecht Diaries, a Lesson in Primary Sources: This Outreach program is a more in-depth look at how to use primary sources than the middle-school version of this program.
Into a New Era Walking Tour: This Walking Tour of Downtown Frederick Maryland, highlights the sites, stories and memorials of the early twentieth century; from WWI to the Civil Rights Movement. (Available April 2008)
Roger Brooke Taney and the Dred Scott Case: Come to the Roger Brooke Taney house to discuss the Dred Scott Decision and learn about Taney’s early career as a lawyer in Frederick, MD.

John Markell Memorial Art Contest
The John J. Markell Memorial Art Contest provides high school students throughout Frederick County an opportunity to depict, through art, some aspect of the county’s history. Co-sponsored by the Frederick Art Club and the Historical Society of Frederick County, the contest recognizes the talent and the pictorial contributions made by Frederick artist John Markell. For more information on the art contest, download the contest guidelines[PDF,165K].

Harry L. Decker Essay Contest
The Harry L. Decker Historical Essay contest inspires children in fourth grade to learn about their county’s history. For more information on the essay contest, [PDF, 136K] download the contest guidelines.

Adobe Acrobat Reader required to download files.

Ice Cream Social
Thursday, August 21
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
HSFC Heritage Garden

History Symposium: Backcountry Dutch: German Colonial Heritage
Friday, September 12
9:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Frederick Community College Cougar Café

Bus Trip: Lancaster, PA
Friday, September 26
7:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Meet at Riverview Plaza Shopping Center

Goods from the Hearth
Saturday, October 14
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Museum of Frederick County History

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