A Family Museum in Olde Towne Gaithersburg

The City of Gaithersburg’s Community Museum is located in the restored 1884 B&O Railroad Station complex. The Museum features educational exhibits and programs designed to spark visitors’ interest and imagination in our City’s history.

The Community Museum comprises the historic Freight House, the History Park and the rolling stock of the Gaithersburg Railway Museum.

The Gaithersburg Railroad Station was a major rail complex at the time it was built in 1884, and in 1978, its buildings were placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today it still serves as a central focus in our City’s Olde Towne district.

Permanent and rotating exhibits, educational programs and a gift shop are housed in the Freight House. Interactive displays include a bank, school room and general mercantile store.

The History Park is nestled between the Train Station and Freight House and features plaques with historical photographs and information on the City’s history and development. Plantings in the park include some of the original peonies from the Schwartz family’s garden. The Schwartz family once owned the home that now serves as our City Hall.

The trains, or rolling stock exhibit in the yard just outside the Freight House currently features a 1918 Buffalo Creek and Gauley #14 Steam Locomotive and a C&O Railroad Bay Window Caboose. The museum will be adding a 1950s Budd Car to the rolling stock exhibit soon.

In partnership with the Gaithersburg Historical Association, the City of Gaithersburg collects photographs, documents, and other historic articles that tell the story of Gaithersburg and present that story in an interesting and interpretive manner. Tours, programs, local history publications, rentals, genealogical and other research opportunities, and much more are all waiting for you and your family at the Gaithersburg Community Museum.

• Museum Vistor Survey