Hagerstown: History, Art and City Park

Hagerstown brings together parkland, city history and a variety of cultural offerings. The historic City Park invites you to explore the outdoors, with man-made lakes, wooded walking paths, picnic areas and active recreation facilities. At the same time, historic houses, museums and the original town plan tell the story of the city’s development. Art and stage programs add to these facets of Hagerstown.

City Park: Paths, Landscape and Attractions

You can explore Hagerstown City Park along several measured routes on its walking trails. Trail signs introduce places within the park, including the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Mansion House and Jonathan Hager House and Museum. This combines walks through the parkland with information about some of the historic and cultural places that shape Hagerstown.

The path to Mansion House also offers a special stop: visitors can read a children’s book there, one page at a time. The man-made lakes, wooded paths and picnic areas offer a different experience from this reading activity or the trail signs. When visiting City Park, you can therefore choose between natural and recreational areas and the stories shared at specific places and along the paths.

Jonathan Hager and the City’s History

The Jonathan Hager House Museum is the restored home of Jonathan Hager, the founder of Hagerstown, built around 1739. The house displays historic furniture and artifacts. The museum offers tours of the restored limestone home, which was built as a fortress. Alongside Hager’s role as the city’s founder, the building itself is a central focus.

Another way to explore the city’s history is the Hagerstown Historic District. It includes Hagerstown’s original town plan, laid out in 1762. The Founder's Footsteps Walking Tour focuses on museums, historic sites and collections that cover Hager’s legacy and the founding of Hagerstown from 1739 to 1813. While the Jonathan Hager House focuses on a single historic home, the tour brings together various places and collections around a shared theme.

The City Park Railroad Museum is located in the City Park Train Hub. Visitors can climb aboard real decommissioned cabooses and the steam locomotive. The railroad theme adds a distinct focus to the story of the city’s founder and historic town plan.

Art, Culture and Events

The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts has a permanent collection of more than 7,000 objects, including paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures and decorative arts. Art can also be enjoyed along a walkable route on the Hagerstown Cultural Trail: the half-mile-long trail connects the downtown Arts & Entertainment District with City Park and the art museum. Its features include a large mural, outdoor sculptures and community art spaces.

The Maryland Theatre offers a wide-ranging program as a multidisciplinary performing arts theater. Its schedule includes stage performances, films and music shows, as well as family programs, civic events, student series and international touring productions. Performances and events thus complement the exhibitions and arts venues with a program for a range of interests.

Historic City Farmers Market

The Historic City Farmers Market offers handmade crafts, locally grown produce and baked goods. According to historical records, the market was established in 1773. Its listed location is outdoors at 25 W. Church Street, in the parking lot of Hub City Brewery in Hagerstown. As seasonal arrangements may change, it’s a good idea to check the latest market information before your visit.

For trip planning, you can organize Hagerstown around the experiences you’re looking for: City Park combines paths and recreation areas with historic stops; the Cultural Trail brings arts venues and the park together along a walkable route. Museums, the theater and the farmers market each offer a distinct focus. You can tailor your stay to whether parkland, Hagerstown’s history, art collections or events are your priority.

Discover more destinations: Keedysville, Clear Spring.

View the broader travel guide: Washington.