The Department of Natural Resources is the largest proprietor of historic sites in Maryland, maintaining over 500 buildings of historical significance on 259 sites across the state, mostly in state parks.

Historic landscapes abound throughout Maryland's public lands. Significant parts of the South Mountain Battlefield, a Civil War site in Frederick and Washington counties, are within South Mountain State Park. The largest Civil War prison camp was at Point Lookout, now a state park in St. Mary's County. Camp Stanton, a Civil War recruiting and training depot for African-Americans joining the Union Army, stood on DNR public lands in Charles County. Stream valley parks in Maryland, such as Gunpowder Falls, Patapsco Valley, Patuxent River and Seneca Creek, are loaded with sites of mills, factories, heads of navigation and other remains of human activity from a time when water power was the best way to run machinery and waterways were a more important means of transportation than roads.

Along with learning about Maryland's historical resources, are opportunities to explore historic sites, participate in historical activities and re-enactments, and even help restore notable structures.

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History of the State Forest and Park Service
Historic Sites
Curatorships and Historic Preservation
Living History

Last Updated August 31, 2007