Established as a program of the Tourism Council of Frederick County in 1991, the Frederick Historic Sites Consortium is one of Maryland’s oldest and most successful museum consortia. Our mission is to support, promote and develop the historic sites and museums of Frederick County, and to increase community awareness of their value.

Museums by Candlelight, held on the second Saturday of each December, is a gift to the community. More than twenty sites waive admission fees for an afternoon and evening of hands-on fun, living history interpretations, tours, and musical entertainments.

Bell and History Days, on the first weekend in April, rings in the new museum season with the pealing of public and church bells and special museum programs all over the City and the County.

The Master Docent Series offers workshops each February and other opportunities throughout the year for docent training and recruitment. Hundreds have been certified as Master Docents since this program began in 1992.

Continuing Education sessions keep our members up to date on the best museum practices, and offer opportunities for Consortium members to share expertise and hone skills.

Marketing efforts are directed at the heritage tourism market.

Special Initiatives are undertaken periodically. An example is the African American Resources - Cultural and Heritage (AARCH) project that has provided a foundation for numerous exhibits, public programs and the popular self-guided tour brochure, "African American Heritage Sites in the City of Frederick and Frederick County, Maryland." Joint outreach to Frederick County Public Schools is another example.

Consortium membership is open to non-profit museums and historic sites in Frederick County, Maryland that are open to the public on a regular schedule. We invite individuals, businesses and other organizations to explore ways to join our efforts as volunteers, partners, or sponsors. For more information about the Consortium, please send all requests to Liz Shatto.