Sizzlin Summer 2008

Attractions

Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE, Washington, (202) 633-4820, www.anacostia.si.edu, free. The Boys of Summer are in town, and ACM is prepared with an exhibit examining baseball in the district during segregation, one man's personal collection of memorabilia, and a lecture from Mamie 'Peanuts' Johnson, one of three of the Negro League's female players.

Barbara Fritchie House, 154 W. Patrick St., Frederick, (301) 698-8892. Whether the ol' lady stuck her head out the window to defend the flag in Whittier's poem against the Confederates is up to debate in some circles, but the museum's dedication to historic preservation, historic Frederick, and the Civil War isn't. Frederick's historic and beautiful Baker Park is across the street for a summer stroll when you're done.

Brunswick Railroad Museum, 40 W. Potomac St., Brunswick, (301) 834-7100. Mammoth interactive model roads imitating the B&O Line from Union Station in Washington to Brunswick Freight Classification Yards. Plus equipment, memorabilia, exhibits, artifacts, and so much excitement we'll 'choo choo' louder than the kids.

Historical Society of Frederick County, 24 E. Church St., (301) 663-1188, www.hsfcinfo.com If you're unfamiliar to the narrow one-way streets, or if you're not sure which route is the best to squeeze it all in--and hey, where should we get a bite'--stop here first. The shop is stocked with books (some written by the organization's volunteers), there's a few exhibits up, and they can tell you the best way to see South Mountain, Taney's house, and New Market's one-room school houses. The building also boasts a stunning garden, which hosts jazz nights through the summer.

Great Blacks in Wax Museum, 1601 E. North Ave., (410) 563-3404, www.ngbiwm.com, $9-$6. Life-size, life-like figures preserving history from the B.C.s up through today. There's nothing else like it.

Jewish Museum of Maryland, 15 Lloyd St., (410) 732-6400, www.jhsm.org, $8. Exhibits examine WWII and the evolution of Lombard Street.

Mount Olivet Cemetery, 515 S. Market St., (301) 662-1164, www.mountolivetcemeteryinc.com.. Gravesites of fallen Civil War soldiers and anthem-writer Francis Scott Key. The site is huge, so use the facility's maps or look up a site before you drive into the distance.

National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, (301) 695-1864, www.civilwarmedicine.org See and learn about the foundation of the nation's modern medical care, buy stuff in the gift shop, and leave thankful for the technology we have today.

National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes, 16300 Old Emmitsburg Road, (301) 447-5318. You could fly to France, or you could stay in Maryland and see the world's oldest known replica, built in 1875 following apparitions in 1858. The area includes a great park and a statue of Jesus you can see from the road, too.

Radio and Television Museum, 2608 Mitchellville Road, Bowie, (301) 390-1020, www.radiohistory.org They're dedicated to preserving history and have all the great radio show plus a self-service tube tester. It's like a time machine, but in a good way.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Shrine, 333 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, (301) 447-6606, www.setonshrine.org Seton Hill's namesake is the first American saint, formed the Daughters of Charity, and has all the markings of a Super Catholic: She abandoned her life of upperclass comfort and lost her family to Consumption with a capital 'C.'

Steppingstone Museum, Susquehana State Park, 4122 Wilkinson Road, Havre de Grace, (410) 939-2299, www.dnr.state.md.us/publicland.. Tour and examine a historic grist mill, old farming, restored farming house, and mock towne shoppes before checking out the Tidewater Canal.

Events

History of the Avalon Dam and Iron and Nail Works, May 25, Patapsco Valley State Park, Avalon, (410) 461-5005, www.dnr.state.md.us/publicland.., $2. Learn about the life and times of the Avalon dam before it became the remnants it is now. We're talking Revolutionary War, people. It's old.

Bike Through History, May 28, Gunpowder Falls State Park, Cockeysville, (410) 472-3144, free. Evening bike ride through the 10-mile TCB Ride Trail exploring historical sites.

Brigade of the American Revolution Firelock Match and Tactical Exercise, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., June 8, Fort Frederick State Park, 11100 Fort Frederick Road, Big Pool, (410) 842-2155, www.dnr.state.md.us/publicland.., $4. A weekend of living demonstrations: Go back in time to the American Revolution for life during the war and battle re-enactments.

Juneteenth, 2-4:30 p.m. June 19 at the President Street Station (Civil War Museum), 2-4 p.m. June 22, Fort McHenry, and 1 p.m. Antiedam NPS, Sharpsburg, juneteenth@gmail.com Celebrate the first and only true African-American independence celebration (according to Morning Sunday, founder and executive director of the National Juneteenth Museum and Juneteenth International) with multiple events including living history presentations , dance, and music at Fort McHenry.

Quick History Series, 1-2 p.m., June 21, North Point State Park Visitor Center, 9000 Bayshore Road, Edgemere, (410) 592-2897, www.dnr.state.md.us/publicland.., free. An interactive blitz through time covering the history of North Point though the War of 1812 to the present. Not only is it quicker than your high school history class, but it's more interesting, too.

Artillery Program, June 21, Aug. 23-24, Fort Frederick State Park, 11100 Fort Frederick Road, Big Pool, (301) 842-2155, www.dnr.state.md.us/publicland.. Ka-Pow! Learn about the role of cannon weaponry over the course of Fort Frederick's history. Includes demonstrations. Think they'll let us light the fuse'

Joshua Beall's Maryland Company, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 12, 11100 Fort Frederick Road, Big Pool, (301) 842-2155, www.dnr.state.md.us/publicland.., $3. Beall's company garrison the fort and re-enact the French and Indian War.

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