Observatory, Museum Tours and Exhibits Available on Heritage Day
Posted 6/12/2012

The Gaithersburg Community Museum and the Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory are among 32 historical sites participating in Montgomery County Heritage Days, June 23 and 24, 2012.  This 15th annual event celebrates and showcases the County’s rich history with music, dance, food, and children's activities.  All Heritage Days events are free. 

In Gaithersburg, the following will take place on Saturday, June 23, 2012:

• The Gaithersburg Community Museum
  10 - 4 p.m.
  9 South Summit Avenue
  Visit the restored 1884 B&O Railroad Station complex, site of the Gaithersburg Community Museum, History Park and rolling stock exhibit.  Participate in “Train Day at the Museum” presented by Bantrak T Trak Division.  Visitors can view the model train display and tour a caboose filled with local train history.  See the 1918 steam locomotive and local history exhibits in the museum. 

• Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory
  10 - 4 p.m.
  100 DeSellum Avenue
  Take a self-guided tour of the newly opened interpretive park.  Built in 1899 as one of six around the globe, the Observatory played an important role in the efforts of scientists to determine the wobble of the Earth on its polar axis to aid in navigation.  Ground markers are still used for GPS purposes today.

For more information on the activities in Gaithersburg please contact the Gaithersburg Community Museum at 301-258-6160 or visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/museum. 

For more information on Montgomery County Heritage Days please visit www.heritagemontgomery.org.  This project is supported by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, Montgomery County Government, Comcast Communications, and the Gazette Newspapers.