Exhibits

Discover Appalachian Coal Mining History

Visit Our Historic Exhibits

Explore our boarding house, blacksmith shop, mine opening, and gatehouse exhibits. Our knowledgeable staff is on site to guide you and answer any questions you may have as you explore or use our interpretive signage for a self guided tour.

A girl looking intently at the diorama of the Evergreen Heritage Center
Gatehouse

This exhibit completed in 2024 was built to showcase the tools, skills, and gumption utilized by the five families to develop an old growth forest into a working farm. And then through time, the regrowth of the forest once farming had ceased. These families were stewards of the farm and forest for the past 250 years nurturing it and conserving it for generations to come. The Evergreen Gatehouse Exhibit stands adjacent to the site of the original gatehouse and was built by the Winter Family who owned the property from 1822-1869. Visitors can also view the gatehouse’s original foundation.

Kids being show the historic blacksmith shop exhibit on an Evergreen Heritage Center tour
Blacksmith Shop

This blacksmith shop at Evergreen was originally built in 1915 along the tramway. The blacksmith would sharpen pick axes, drills, and other tools for the miners as well as make the shoes for mules and other needed tools for the coal camp. The shop includes the original forge.

The Boarding house exhibit
Boarding House

This duplex housing unit was originally built in 1921 by the United Big Vein Mine Company. Heavy immigration to the United States after 1900 brought many young unmarried men as well as married men who often arrived without their families in order to get established. There was no running water in the house; an outhouse was located out back. Visitors can view a typical sleeping room and a common room used for cooking.

A group of smiling people posing for a photo in front of the mine opening exhibit
Mine Opening

This mine opening was established in 1915 by the United Big Vein Coal Company. The opening was recreated from pictures for visitors to experience. The mines at Evergreen are drift mines, which is a horizontal opening into the side of a hill. Timber bracing was typically used for openings and roof support.

Coal Trail

This one-mile trail, which follows the path of the former coal car tramway, features 20 environmental and history learning stops. This easy to walk, natural walking path allows visitors to follow the route of a coal car from a mine opening to the incline plane, where the coal was lowered to the waiting railroad cars below.

Evergreen is located adjacent to the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) and Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and is creating an additional 4.5 miles of hiking trail that will meander through our 130 acre property and connect with the GAP Trail.

Students being led on a tour of the 1822 kitchen exhibit
1822 Kitchen & Garden

Located in the lower level of the Victorian Farmhouse Museum in the stone portion of the home is the 1822 Kitchen. Here you’ll find the original fireplace, which was used as a source of heat, but also for cooking, heating the sadiron, and more. Today, this exhibit highlights the many ways food was historically preserved, as well as how soap was made and laundry was washed. 

Evergreen Heritage Center FAQs

Answers to Common Questions

Find clear agriculture answers covering organic farming practices, crop management, sustainability, and solutions for efficient farming operations

Evergreen offers three main experiences — outdoor education programs including school field trips and summer camps, historic museums and coal mining exhibits that bring Appalachian history to life, and nature trails and a native plant nursery set across 130 acres of working farmland and forest.

Yes — Evergreen offers guided and self-guided field trips for K–12 students covering STEM, social studies, and art, all set on a historic 130-acre farm in Allegany County, Maryland.

 

Yes — Evergreen's scenic historic grounds are available for weddings, private events, and corporate gatherings. The property features unique indoor and outdoor spaces that reflect the natural beauty and history of Western Maryland.

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