Historical Society of
Mount Airy, Maryland, Inc.
Archived News Stories
The stories below were previously featured on the website, and are stored here for your reference and enjoyment.
(April 2021)
New Mural Featured at Mount Airy’s Train Station Museum
A new mural depicting Mt. Airy in the early 1900s now provides a backdrop to the model train display at the town’s museum. Lisa Carnes, local artist, created the mural “over a couple of years,” as she says. It illustrates the view up North Main Street from the museum. Included are Anderson’s General Store, Runkles’ houses and millinery, St. James Church, the Gartrell mansion, Fleming’s barn (burned in the fire of 1914), houses on Church Street, and the cherry trees along the old Cherry Orchard Road, now Prospect Road.
Lisa used photographs of Mt. Airy at the turn of the century, provided to her by Historical Society President Mike Eacho. The scale fits the size of the model trains, a display which attracts a great deal of visitor attention at the museum.
Larry Valett has created the train display, now featuring audio buttons that tell details about the railroad, vintage 1870 to 1915.
Larry Valett, Lisa Carnes and Mike Eacho standing in front of the Mount Airy Railyard model with the new mural painted by Lisa.
(July 2021)
Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford visits historical society museum
The Historical Society Museum was honored with a visit by Lieutenant Governor Rutherford on July 21, 2021. In addition to the Lieutenant Governor we also hosted the Honorable Secretaries: Carol Beatty, Secretary of Disabilities, David Brinkley, Budget Secretary, Wendi Peters, Special Secretary of Smart Growth and Mark Widmyer,
Western Maryland Outreach Coordinator. It was a pleasure to show off the museum and to share a glimpse of the history of Mount Airy. The Historical Society was also able to express our appreciation to the Lieutenant Governor for the grants and bond bills that were approved to help fund the replacement of the museum roof, gutters, downspouts and snow guards and the pavilion that protects our beloved caboose, Mackenize from the elements.
Historical Society President Mike Eacho greets Lt. Gov. Rutherford
Larry Valett demonstrating train layout and history of the town
(August 2021)
Historical Society Resumes Meetings
The Historical Society of Mount Airy, Maryland is pleased to announce that we will be resuming our monthly meetings beginning Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 7pm in the lower level of the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company Building. Our topic for September is the 20th anniversary of 9/11, presented by Larry Hushour, who is a pilot for Southwest Airlines. For a schedule of our upcoming meetings, please check the Calendar of Events.
We hope you will join us and participate in these interesting presentations and discussions. Meetings are scheduled for one hour, but may take longer depending on questions and discussion.
(March 2022)
Mount Airy Pants(Sewing) Factory
Preliminary research has been done on the history of the Mount Airy Pants Factory, which was in operation off and on from 1921 to 1985, in several different locations. Please see the attached report for further information. We are seeking anyone who may have information, newspaper articles, artifacts, or stories to share as we pull this exhibit together. Please contact Doris Bujanowski at jedolidama@gmail.com if you have information.
Family Air and the Caboose
The Historical Society of Mount Airy would like to offer a huge “thank you” to Family Air, Inc, for recharging and servicing the Air conditioner unit within Mackenzie the Caboose, gratis! Family Air (Rich Anderson) continues to support the Historical Society and the Town by keeping an eye on our Main Street gem! 301-829-9720, for your family’s comfort!
(September 2022 )
Historical Society Celebrates Entertainment in Mount Airy
At the monthly Historical Society meeting on September 6, the first in a series of presentations was begun on Entertainment in Mount Airy. This month's vibrant presentation was about the history of our carnivals and parades, which are huge thread in the fabric of our town. The discussion traced the roots of both the Firemen's Carnival and the Lions Club Carnival, as well as the many parades that celebrated our town and our country. Photos below show the displays that were included in this presentation. As with most of these meetings, the highlight was the memories shared by members of the audience. Join us on October 4th as we learn about the history of the Mount Airy Movie Theater!
(April 2023) Information on Underground Railroad Needed
The Historical Society of Mount Airy is looking for any information on the Underground Railroad that went through Mount Airy during the Civil War. According to Wikipedia, "the Underground Railroad was a network of clandestine routes and safe houses established in the United States during the early- to the mid-19th century. It was used by enslaved African Americans primarily to escape into free states and Canada." We understand that it went through Mount Airy, possibly along Black Ankle Road. Anyone with any information on Mount Airy's involvement in the Underground Railroad, please contact us at our email address, or bring into the museum during our regular business hours. Thank you.
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