The Allegany Museum
You’re invited to discover history at the Allegany Museum, located at 3 Pershing Street, Cumberland, MD 21502. Housed in a beautifully restored 1930s neo-classical revival building (once a U.S. Courthouse and Post Office), the museum is a living celebration of the region’s past.
Step inside two floors of immersive, interactive exhibits that tell the story of this rugged Appalachian crossroads. On the first floor, the signature Crossroads of America exhibition charts the area’s role as a vital transportation hub — from ancient Native American trails like the Nemacolin Trail, to the National Road, canal systems, and railways. You’ll find detailed models of canal boats, trains, a fully restored 1825 Conestoga wagon, a reconstructed Paleo-Indian hut, and even a model of Fort Cumberland tied to George Washington.
On the second floor, the focus shifts to Allegany’s industries and craftsmanship — glassware, Appalachian folk art, tire manufacturing (Kelly Springfield), early firefighting gear, brewing history, and more. The museum’s collection is vast — over 50,000 artifacts span more than 12,000 years, including fossilized mammals, Native American relics, historical documents, and even a carriage used by Teddy Roosevelt.
Beyond the exhibits, you can appreciate the architecture itself: the restored Grand Courtroom, rich in marble and walnut craftsmanship, evokes the grandeur of the building’s original federal purpose.
Admission is free (donations appreciated), and the museum is open April–January, Wednesday–Saturday from 11 AM–4 PM, and Sunday 1 PM–5 PM. It’s not just a museum — it’s a gateway into the story of how the Allegheny region shaped, and was shaped by, American history. For more information or to plan a group visit, head to AlleganyMuseum.org or call 301-777-7200.
Accessibility features:
We have a ramp on the parking lot side of the building, and an elevator to help visitors access exhibits on various floors of the museum. We also have Handicapped Parking and Handicapped Bathrooms.
