Germantown, Maryland

Here, on a crisp October day, the Potomac River ran red with the blood of Union soldiers. On 1861, Union troops under the command of Colonel Edward Baker clashed with Confederate forces at Ball's Bluff. A reconnaissance…

Right here, beneath the fields of Monocacy National Battlefield, lies a stark reminder of Maryland's complex past: the L'Hermitage Slave Village. In the late 1700s, the Vincendière family, fleeing the Haitian…

Pull over, because just ahead is a home that whispers tales of Maryland's divided loyalties during the Civil War. This grand stone house, Montrose, was built in 1844 by Dr. William H. Hardey, a prominent physician and…

This medical center has treated presidents and military heroes, and has been at the forefront of medical innovation for over a century. Originally known as the National Naval Medical Center, this impressive facility…

Ever wondered what a grand old train station looked like when trains were the ultimate way to travel? Right here at Point of Rocks, you’re looking at a true survivor! This Gothic Revival beauty has been a silent witness…

Stand in awe of the Union Arch Bridge, a stunning feat of 19th-century engineering that's part of the Washington Aqueduct. Construction on this bridge began in 1857 and wrapped up in 1864. The bridge was designed by…

This unassuming train depot was once Herndon's vital link to the outside world. Before cars and highways, this was how people and goods moved in and out of town. Built in 1857 for the Alexandria, Loudoun & Hampshire…

Prepare to be inspired! This unassuming house was once the headquarters and home of Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross. Clara Barton, a pioneering spirit, dedicated her life to helping others. After…

Home of Clara Barton in Glen Echo that served as both her residence and the early headquarters of the American Red Cross.

Imagine a place where young women learned etiquette and academics in buildings resembling a Japanese pagoda, a Swiss chalet, and a Dutch windmill. That was National Park Seminary. This unique school, initially called Ye…

Roll down your windows and prepare to step back in time! You're about to experience the sleek glamour of a bygone era at this beautifully preserved Streamline Moderne movie theater. Look to your right, that's the…

Imagine holding history in your hands - Dodona Manor was the peaceful retreat of General George C. Marshall, a man who shaped the 1940s and beyond. After a distinguished military career, including serving as Chief of…

These unassuming stones hold a silent story of westward expansion. They're milestones, marking the miles along the Old National Pike, also known as the National Road. Construction began in 1806, authorized by President…

Imagine being one of the very first Methodists in America. This unassuming spot in Loudoun County marks the location of what's considered the earliest Methodist-owned church site in the country. In 1766, Nicholas Minor,…

Imagine governors and fox hunts on a sprawling estate. That's Morven Park. Thomas Swann, Jr., a governor of Maryland after the Civil War, called this place home. Later, Westmoreland Davis, governor of Virginia during…

You're driving through history right now! Leesburg's Historic District isn't just pretty buildings; it's a tangible link to the earliest days of Loudoun County. Founded in 1757, Leesburg quickly became a vital hub. Its…

Ever wonder where the nation's maps and geological data come from? You're near the heart of it! This is the U.S. Geological Survey National Center, named after John Wesley Powell, a pioneering geologist and explorer.…

Pull over for a second – this unassuming spot was once a political and social hub thanks to the Kennedys! Robert and Ethel Kennedy bought Hickory Hill in 1955. Before that, it was briefly owned by John and Jackie…

Pull over for a second – this unassuming spot was once the heart of a Confederate spy ring! Merrybrook, the home you're near, was where Laura Ratcliffe lived during the Civil War. Ratcliffe, a young woman at the time,…

Ever wondered what it was like to be a foreign soldier in America during the Revolutionary War? This very building housed Hessian soldiers, giving us a rare peek into their lives far from home. Maryland started building…

Wander through the heart of Frederick, a city rich in history and architectural diversity. This isn't just a pretty town; it's a living timeline! You're entering the Frederick Historic District, a place where centuries…

Whoa, check out that building! Looks like a medieval castle, right? But it was actually built for the Maryland National Guard, and it’s seen some real history. This isn't just any old building, it's a piece of…

Ever wonder what the FDA's headquarters used to be? Believe it or not, you're driving past the former Naval Ordnance Laboratory, a top-secret facility where naval weapons were designed and tested for decades! During…

Ever wonder where the very middle of America used to be? You're getting close! Waterford, Virginia, was once right next door to the population center of the entire United States. Founded by Amos Janney, a Quaker, around…

Step back in time at this former B&O Railroad station, a reminder of the golden age of train travel. This spot isn't just a building; it's a doorway to a bygone era of bustling platforms and the romance of the rails.…

Designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, Dulles Airport's swooping terminal is considered a masterpiece of modernist architecture.

Ever wondered what Frederick looked like centuries ago? Pull over, because you’re about to discover its oldest standing house, a true survivor from a time before America was even America. This is Schifferstadt, built in…

You're near Fort Reno, a key piece of Washington D.C.'s Civil War defenses. It stood on the highest natural point in the city, giving it a commanding view.During the Civil War, this was a crucial defensive position. In…

Right here once stood a place where medical miracles met military service: the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. From 1909 to 2011, Walter Reed was the U.S. Army's flagship hospital. Named after Major Walter Reed, who…

Step back in time to a rustic retreat built by a poet as colorful as his name: Joaquin Miller. Miller, an American poet, essayist, and self-proclaimed fabulist, built this cabin in Rock Creek Park in the late 1800s.…

Built in 1861, this unassuming patch of land was once a critical part of defending the nation's capital. This is Fort Ethan Allen, one of many earthwork fortifications constructed by the Union Army around Washington…

That giant sphere looming on the horizon? It's nicknamed the 'Eight Ball,' and it played a pivotal role in Cold War history as a biological warfare testing chamber. From 1951 to 1969, the U.S. Army used this…

Step back in time, because this serene park was once a crucial line of defense for the nation's capital. During the Civil War in the 1860s, Rock Creek's natural terrain became the foundation for a series of…