HAGERSTOWN – The Washington County Historical Society is seeking the Hagerstown’s help to launch the first phase of a proposed $650,000 to $1 million project that would replace a deteriorated two-car garage behind the Miller House Museum with a modern curatorial facility.
Executive Director Andrew Stout outlined the plan during the Aug. 12 Hagerstown City Council Work Session, describing the new two-story building as both a secure storage space for the society’s 20,000-plus artifacts and a public-facing workspace where visitors could observe preservation in action.
Phase one of the project, architectural design plans, carries a $32,400 price tag. The society has secured $22,500, including a $20,000 grant from the Maryland Heritage Area Authority and is requesting $9,900 from the city to close the gap. Stout noted the facility would improve care for the collection, provide opportunities for student internships and create a new downtown attraction.
Council members expressed interest in the concept but raised questions about location and public visibility. Some suggested exploring options for a more prominent site that could better showcase the artifacts and draw foot traffic, in coordination with future redevelopment projects.
The Miller House Museum, at 135 W. Washington St., serves as the society’s headquarters and is home to exhibits on local history. The society also operates the Kinship Family Heritage Research Center, offers walking tours, runs lecture series such as “Culture and Cocktails” and hosts heritage bus tours across the county.
Stout said the organization has cut costs, increased programming and grown membership to 350, to reach 760 members, about 0.5 percent of the county’s population. He emphasized the society’s track record in securing grant funding and the potential to leverage additional state and national resources, especially with the 250th anniversary of the United States approaching in 2026.
No formal decision has been made yet. However, the funding request will be considered alongside other city priorities in upcoming budget discussions.
