Destination Maryland

Natural History, March, 2001

Western Worcester provides visitors with its own type of outdoor adventure. The Pocomoke River State Forest and Park covers more than 13,000 acres of cypress swamps and loblolly pines. The river and its shoreline provided cover for escaped slaves traveling the Underground Railroad to the North. The Pocomoke River flows through one of the northernmost cypress swamps in the country. More than 27 species of mammals, 29 species of reptiles, 14 species of amphibians, and 172 species of birds have been seen in the wetlands that border the Pocomoke.

Of course Worcester has its share of history too. Visit the Mt. Zion One-Room School Museum and the Julia A. Purnell Museum in Snow Hill to get a glimpse of life from the pre-colonial days to the late 19th century. A walking-tour of Snow Hill offers some interesting historical details about eight churches and 52 homes.

FREDERICK COUNTY

HISTORY'S CROSSROADS

The National Road, the first federally funded highway in the United States, follows a trail used by George Washington as a route to link the port of Baltimore with the interior of the United States. The National Road travels through the heart of Frederick Maryland's historic district. This is where settlers bound for the wilderness began their journeys, and the winds of war brought Union and Confederate troops together in battle twice.

Discover even more history with a visit to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Telling the medical story of the Civil War, the museum gives visitors a glimpse of the care and healing, courage and devotion of caregivers and patients on both sides of the war.

And then stop at two well-preserved Civil War battle fields where critical battles took place: the Battle of Monocacy and the engagement at South Mountain.

Before you leave downtown Frederick, don't miss the shops, restaurants and theaters that make these streets so special. You'll want to see each and every one of the trompe I'oeil murals decorating walls and bridges. The work of local artist William Cochran, the murals have become a symbol of Frederick's unique character.

ST. MARY'S COUNTY

A BIT OF AMERICA'S STORIED PAST

Historic St. Mary's City is the site of the state's first capital and now one the finest 17th century tourist attraction in North America. St. Mary' City boasts a stunning 800-acre outdoor history museum along the banks of the St. Mary's River. See a replica of the square-rigged Dove, one of the two ships that brought English settlers to the state in 1634. Before choosing St. Mary's City, the early settlers first landed at St. Clements Island, now a state park accessible by water-taxi. There you'll find a wonderful museum devoted to the island's history and importance.

Not too far away, on Piney Point you can take a picnic lunch and visit the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum and Park. The lighthouse, built in 1836, was the first permanent lighthouse built on the Potomac River and is the only remaining accessible lighthouse on its original location in Southern Maryland. The museum tells the story of a U-1105 German Submarine from WWII, which is on display. After the war, the Navy acquired ownership of the submarine and it was eventually scuttled off the coast of Piney Point. In November of 1994, the wreck was designated as Maryland's first historic shipwreck preserve.