About the Allegany Museum

Our Collections

The Allegany Museum serves the greater Allegany Region, which includes Allegany and Garret Counties in Maryland, Mineral County in West Virginia, and Bedford and Somerset Counties in Pennsylvania.

The Allegany region is geographically isolated by a range of ridges and valleys from the rest of Maryland and links us to the greater Appalachia region.

The Allegany Museum inspires visitors to discover the unique heritage of our region and its contribution to our nation’s development. It enriches intellectual, cultural, and economic life through collection, preservation, exhibition, and by offering educational programs. The museum strives to become a national destination for heritage tourism.

After extensive building restoration, the Allegany Museum opened its new home to the public in September of 2010. The stately 1932 structure, located at 3 Pershing Street in Historic Downtown Cumberland, Maryland, was originally built by the Federal government as a US Court House and Post Office. It was designed in the Art Deco and Neoclassical styles by local architect, R. Holt Hitchins.

The painstaking restoration process revealed intricate architectural details, timeless materials such as marble and walnut, and the meticulous craftsmanship of a bygone era – including the impressive 3,4000 square foot Grand Courtroom.

The museum currently has a collection of over 50,000 items. Exhibitions trace Allegany County history from the first Native American residents 12,000 years ago to the early European settlers and the growth of industrialization in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Historically, Cumberland has been known as a transportation hub, home to the first federally funded highway, the terminus of the C&O Canal, and the center for the railroad industry.

The first floor of this expansive museum ”The Crossroads of America” exhibition traces the history of human movement through Cumberland and Allegany County. The museum’s newest exhibition space highlights the evolution of transportation from about 1750 to 1900. Space include scale models of canal boats and trains, a fully restored 1825 Conestoga wagon, an to scale Paleoindian hut, a model of Fort Cumberland, models of what George Washington looked like when he visited our area in the 1750s, and in 1794, and displays about the National Road, the C&O canal, and the railroads.

The second floor features history related to Industry in the region and includes features on local glassware, Appalachian folk art, an extensive display about the Kelly Springfield Tire company, local Baltimore Street shops, fire industry, the beer industry and window displays of a Sleeping Beauty Exhibit from Saks Fifth Avenue.

The Arthur & Bernice Friedland Grand Courtroom is also available to rent for special events, parties, and receptions. Special tours may also be arranged and group tours are welcome. For details, please email – manager@alleganymuseum.org.

The Allegany Museum is a private, non-profit 501 (c)3, volunteer organization. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

Historically, Cumberland has been known as a transportation hub, home to the first federally funded highway, the terminus of the C&O Canal, and the center for the railroad industry.

We invite you to learn about our collections, exhibitions, and educational programs and encourage you to get in touch and become part of our growing community.

About the Allegany Museum

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