Celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, the Carroll County Government has partnered with county municipalities to launch the “Journey Through 250 Years of Local History” webpage, showcasing over two centuries of Carroll County history through interactive StoryMaps.
According to a press release from the CCG, the StoryMaps highlight seven cities and towns throughout Carroll County. The cities and towns include Hampstead, Manchester, New Windsor, Sykesville, Taneytown, Union Bridge, and Westminster.
“That we celebrate our nation’s historic 250th anniversary is a testament to the American way of life, and a reflection of the millions of Americans who have contributed to that history,” said Joseph Vigliotti, president of the Board of County Commissioners, in a statement. “Many of those Americans were citizens of Carroll County, and the StoryMap allows us to share the experiences of the places and people who helped to write our American story.”
The StoryMaps were created using ESRI’s StoryMaps platform, pairing historic images of each location with a brief written narrative and accompanying audio. Additionally, the use of StoryMaps technology aims to make “local history accessible and engaging for residents, students, and visitors,” according to the press release.
Locations on each map include historic homes, local monuments, commemorative plaques, and historic public buildings.
One such landmark, pictured below, is the Carroll Theatre at 91 W. Main St. in Westminster, Maryland. According to the StoryMap, the Carroll Theatre opened on Thanksgiving Day of 1937 as a single-screen theatre. Restored in 2003 by the Carroll County Arts Center in partnership with the city of Westminster, the building now serves as a creative hub.
Another example from the Westminster StoryMap is the Westminster Armory. Built in 1918, the castle-like structure served as a National Guard Armory during both world wars. Today, the building is one of the City of Westminster’s public facilities, housing the Westminster Family Fitness Center.
Not limited to Westminster, the StoryMaps offer a chance to explore the unique stories of Carroll County’s longstanding history. The StoryMaps are free and available to the public here.
