Francis Scott Key's gravesite is by the entrance gate of Frederick, Maryland's Mount Olivet Cemetery. The pop-icon songwriter of the War of 1812 had a storied law career that included working as the District Attorney for the nation's capital. He is best know for writing the Star-Spangled Banner in the fall of 1814 in Baltimore Harbor.

This lecture class is being offered on line through the Zoom videoconferencing platform. All you need is internet access to a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone. A sign-in link for the class will be sent out in advance.

It has been nearly 30 years since local historian Chris Haugh was inspired to produce the 1997 documentary/film entitled “Up from the Meadows: A History of Black Americans in Frederick County, Maryland.”  As the title suggests, this program includes an interesting study of Frederick County Black history through the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, covering the time periods from slavery to emancipation, and segregation to civil rights equality within a divided Maryland.  “Up from the Meadows” features an esteemed group of former residents as on-camera commentators including Kathleen Snowden, William O. Lee, Jr., Lord Nickens, Arnold Delauter and Dr. Blanche Bourne-Tyree to name a few.

Established in 1748, the north-central Maryland environs of Frederick County is a perfect case study for African-American cultural history, as it once represented “a border county within a border state” during the American Civil War, being situated below the Mason-Dixon Line and Pennsylvania to the north, and the Potomac River and Virginia to the south. Repercussions would continue up through the Civil Rights Movement of the mid 20th century.

The multi-part program was produced by Frederick's former cable company, GS Communications, first airing on local Cable Channel 10. It would go on to be the recipient of a Telly Award of programming excellence, along with earning many citations, topped by the 1998 Beacon Award of Excellence, the highest honor in the Cable Telecommunication’s Industry for public affairs outreach and programming.

This course will be taught in four (2-hour long) classes through lecture accompanied by PowerPoint visuals and segments from the documentary, itself. NOTE: This class will be taught online via ZOOM. You will receive sign-in instructions and applicable link.

The son of a German mercenary soldier captured during the American revolution, Jacob Engelbrecht was a tailor by trade, but is better known for his amazing diary. From 1819 up through his death in 1878, Engelbrecht chronicled everday life in Frederick and often offered his outspoken views on politics and religion. Jacob's surviving journal entries offer insight on town happenings rangiong from special events and accidents to weddings and deaths of townspeople. It has been published into bound volumes and serves as a key resource for Frederick research.

NOTE: This is an online lecture class that will be run over the Zoom video conferencing platform. All you will need is internet access through a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. You will be sent log-in instructions and a custom link in advance of this class.

We have women to thank for many of the biggest and best contributions to Frederick's rich history. This course chronicles interesting events and institutions on the local level, and spotlights a collection of inspiring and influential female figures who helped pave the way. Over the years, these trailblazers worked tirelessly in their own ways to make the world a better place and shape the course of history, whether they were successful in business, on the front lines of important protests, made important contributions to the arts, represented their country at the Olympics, or inspired fellow women to speak their own minds. They have all brought their innovative beliefs and talents to life with dedication, passion, and plenty of hard work.

Class # 4 will consist of a 2-hour "Frederick Women"-inspired walking tour of Mount Olivet Cemetery focusing on some of the individuals talked about in class and buried here.

Frederick, Maryland's 275 year-old+ story is presented in five-parts/classes by award-winning historian/documentarian Chris Haugh. Students will learn about the city's 1745 founding in the backlands of the Maryland colony up through its standing today as one of the top residential and tourist destinations in the United States. 

Based on his 1995 documentary "Frederick Town," Chris will lead a passionate exploration through the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries with colorful storytelling and an array of multi-media elements. Participants are guaranteed to gain a better understanding and appreciation of Frederick and past citizens. 

This course will be taught over 5-class meetings from 6-8pm. We will be meeting in the Key Memorial Chapel on the grounds of historic Mount Olivet where many individuals that will be discussed in this class repose.

​In observance of the 250th commemoration of the American Revolution, we bring you this course that documents Frederick County citizens and their contributions toward independence. Not only will we look at local leaders such as Thomas Johnson, Jr., Charles Carroll of Carrollton and John Hanson, but citizen soldiers such as Capt. Peter Mantz, Sgt. Lawrence Everhart and other "patriots" will be discussed. In addition, further exploration will include the 1765 Stamp Act Repudiation, the role of the Catoctin Furnace, building the Frederick "Hessian" Barracks, and the 1781 Tory-Spy Conspiracy.

4-part course on consecutive Tuesday evenings 6-8pm with 4th class consisting of a Revolutionary War-themed Twilight Walking Tour of historic Mount Olivet Cemetery.

The roots of Frederick's annual county fair run deep! They go back to the early 19th century when a cattle show was held near the Jug Bridge over the Monocacy River, just east of Frederick City. A few decades later, a new home was found on the grounds of the Hessian Barracks, but that would eventually give way to the present site on the east side of town (along East Patrick Street). The largest county fair in the state has an incredible history including amusements, marketing gimmicks, stellar entertainment programming and notable guests to go with its given mission of exhibiting farm animals and agricultural implements. Learn more about this unique story in this multi-part lecture class which will include a cemetery walking tour of individuals connected to fair lore.

"Shoot if you must, this old grey head, but spare your country's flag" she said. These immortal words were allegedly spoken by 95 year-old Frederick resident Barbara Fritchie to Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson in early September, 1862 during the American Civil War. Whether it really happened or not is still debated. However, one thing is for sure, a poem about the incident by John Greenleaf Whittier of Massachusetts put Frederick (and our famed "clustered spires") on the map. Learn more about the life of this lady, why the poem was written and Chris will share his in-depth research into the Frederick resident who may have been the "real Barbara." 

Note that this is an online class that will run over the Zoom video conferencing platform. All you need is internet connection to a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. You will receive a link and login instructions prior to the class.