Rose Hill Manor, Frederick
Frederick County, Maryland, established in 1748, played a pivotal role in early American history. Nestled at the crossroads of major colonial roads, it became a hub for trade, agriculture, and settlement. The county saw action during both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, providing troops, supplies, and refuge. Today, Frederick County and its biggest city, Frederick, are known for well-preserved architecture, historic charm, and a vibrant cultural and artistic community. Join local guides as you spend the day exploring some of the county’s highlights.
Begin at the Frederick Visitor Center, where your guide discusses the county’s founding, Revolutionary War roots, and role in shaping the region. Embark on a guided walking tour of the city of Frederick, focusing on the history, art, and architecture of the well-preserved downtown.
After lunch at Dutch’s Daughter, travel to Rose Hill Manor Park and Museums, a scenic estate that immerses visitors in 18th-century plantation life. Explore historic farm buildings, period gardens, and engaging exhibits that reveal the daily rhythms, crafts, and traditions of the area’s residents. Complete the day at Catoctin Furnace, an 18th-century iron-making site that produced iron goods and ammunition for the Continental Army and grew into a thriving industrial village staffed by enslaved African Americans and later European immigrants. Guides tell the site’s history as you explore the remaining furnace stack and surrounding village structures.
Know Before You Go
- The tour departs by motorcoach from downtown Washington, DC with a designated secondary pick-up outside the city. Content delivered by the study leader on the way to the destination, after the secondary pick-up, is an integral part of the study tour experience. Meeting the group once the tour is en route is discouraged.
- Tour participants meet at and leave by bus from from the Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C St., SW, with a fringe pick-up at the 270 Center, 15760 Shady Grove Road, Gaithersburg, MD, at approximately 7:55 a.m.
General Information
- Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Friday, June 5, 2026.
- Smithsonian Associates is a mask-friendly environment. Please feel free to bring and wear a mask at any time during a tour, both for your safety or the safety of others.
- As we aim to move away from single use water bottles, guests are strongly encouraged to get in the habit of bringing their own reusable water bottle on tour.
- For additional tour information:
