Episode 49: National Road Museum

Embark with us on a highway through history as we unravel the fabric of America's love affair with her roads. From the meticulous preservation efforts of past pathways in Frederick County to the lonely stretches of Nevada's Route 50, this episode is a true homage to the arteries that have shaped our nation. With guest Bob Savitt, we witness the celebratory opening of a museum dedicated to the National Road, the very first highway funded by the federal government. Join us as we discuss its evolution from trade route to leisure destination.

🚦 Road Evolution 🚗

Discover the various innovations in road development, from ancient Macadam techniques to modern paving, and how these advancements reflect America's cultural and infrastructural growth. The conversation also highlights the Good Roads Movement and the advent of automobiles, mapping out how these critical shifts influenced the way we experience road travel today.

🛣️ Time Traveler's Rest 🕰️
Finally, take a brief respite at some historical mile markers, the original rest stops that offered sanctuary for weary travelers and their steeds. So tune in, fasten your seatbelt, and prepare for a ride through time on the fascinating roads of America's past.

The open houses we will be holding for the National Road Museum will be:

• Saturday April 27, 9am - 5pm during the Boonsboro Spring Jubilee.  A townwide spring festival with activities at several local businesses, all of the museums and in the park.  The town is also planning to have carriage rides available!
• Sunday May 19, 11am - 4pm, during the arrival of the National Road Wagon Train, a collection of horse-drawn wagons that makes the three-day journey on the National Pike from Clear Spring just west of the city, through Hagerstown and Funkstown and ending their trip in Boonsboro.
• Saturday June 1, hours TBD.  The peak date of the National Road Yard Sale where people along the road from Baltimore to St. Louis set up yard sales on the same weekend, and the last Saturday of the Boonsboro Fire Department Carnival in the park just behind the museums.

🔗 Episode Links
National Road Heritage Foundation https://nationalrdfoundation.org/national-road-museum/

Direct donation link for the National Road Museum to make sure we can get several of the exhibits completed before the opening in October: https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=pywWjsWVvmG2SuAg8IrmK7rK62NUPn0mHW_QGTVedC8mMCisLKz-X9P1XaQR1byC58M8LvdV8eCZLiH9

Maryland Byways tour information for people who want to do a roadtrip on the Maryland segment of the road: https://www.visitmaryland.org/scenic-byways/historic-national-road

Hagerstown & Frederick Railway Historical Society (for the trolley history): https://hfrhs.org 

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Curator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers