Brunswick Heritage Museum

All Aboard.

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    • Home
    • Museum
      • About
      • Online video Collections
      • Train Layout Information
    • Visit
      • Hours
      • Events
      • FAQ
      • Group Tours
      • Connect with us!
    • Support/Donate
      • Volunteer
      • Donations
      • PVSA

All Aboard.

Brunswick Heritage Museum
  • Home
  • Museum
    • About
    • Online video Collections
    • Train Layout Information
  • Visit
    • Hours
    • Events
    • FAQ
    • Group Tours
    • Connect with us!
  • Support/Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Donations
    • PVSA

VIdeo COllections

All Aboard! A Heritage Worth Supporting

 Step back in time and enjoy a musical interlude into the past as we take a journey through the historic Brunswick Rail Yard. Experience the sights and sounds of this cherished piece of railroad history, brought to life through the dedication of passionate individuals.

This video was made possible by two key contributors:
🔹 John Younkins, son of Marvin E. Younkins, whose commitment to preserving this legacy is invaluable.
🔹 Jeff Batson of Dezineboy Productions, who skillfully crafted this visual tribute.

The Boys of Brunswick: 1986 Little League World Series Journey

 Watch the incredible story of a group of kids from Brunswick, MD, who began playing baseball for fun and ended up making history. Selected to play on an all-star team, they won 9 straight games to become the Maryland State Little League Champions! This unforgettable journey, full of teamwork, determination, and passion, led them to an unforgettable game of a lifetime. Learn more about their remarkable achievement in this video, created for the Brunswick Heritage Museum.

History of Brunswick Videos

Episode 1

 A Journey Through Brunswick’s Rich History


Join us on a captivating journey curated by the Brunswick Heritage Museum during the COVID-19 pandemic. This special presentation explores the deep and diverse history of Brunswick, covering:

 Geology – The foundation of the land we call home
Native American Heritage – The original stewards of this region
The Many Names of Brunswick – A town with a story to tell
The C&O Canal – A lifeline of commerce and travel
The B&O Railroad – The iron rails that shaped a community

This video is a testament to resilience, history, and the importance of preserving our heritage. Watch now and take a step back in time!

Episode 2

The Geologic Evolution of Brunswick & the Appalachian Mountains  


Join us on a journey through time, from 300 million years ago to 30 million years ago, as we explore the fascinating geological history of Brunswick and the Appalachian Mountains.  Discover how shifting landscapes, ancient formations, and geological processes shaped not only the land but also the rich culture and history of the region.

 In this video:

  •  The formation and transformation of the Appalachian Mountains
  •  How geology influenced Brunswick’s development
  • The connection between Earth's history and cultural heritage

Episode 3

Native Americans: What We Know and Don’t Know | Brunswick Chowanoc & Chesapeake Bay Tribes


Join us as we uncover the history of the Native American tribes around Brunswick and the Chowanoc people—natives who lived along the Chesapeake Bay. In this video, we explore fascinating artifacts, ancient fish traps, and the rich culture of these indigenous communities.

 In this video:

  •  Discover the untold stories of the past!
  •  Learn about their way of life, survival techniques, and historical significance.

Episode 4

 

The Most Common Conversation at the Museum | Brunswick’s Native & German Roots


What’s the most talked-about topic at the museum? In this video, we dive into the names given by Native Americans to the land grant, the German settlers’ journey to Brunswick, and even the origins of our unique nickname—Smoketown!

In this video:

  •  Discover local history and hidden stories.
  •  Learn about the Native American influence on place names.
  • Find out how Brunswick earned the name “Smoketown.”

 

Episode 5

Step back in time as we examine a unique map of Old Berlin, created through the stories of local landowners and residents. In this video, we uncover the fascinating history behind street locations and locations of near the railroad.  Including a hardware store, an opera house, a newspaper, a mill, and even a hotel!

  •  Did you know the old opera house was so lively that its floor buckled, leading to its condemnation?
  • Discover what Berlin looked like before the railroad reshaped the town.
  • Learn incredible facts about the city's past that you won’t hear anywhere else!

Episode 6

Brunswick’s 24-Hour YMCA: A Community & Railroader’s Haven


The YMCA in Brunswick was more than just a gym—it was a lifeline for railroaders and the entire community. Open 24 hours a day, it housed a restaurant, a barbershop, and even a hospital. But tragedy struck not once, but twice, with fires that ultimately led to its closure.

  • Discover the history of this vital community hub.
  • Learn how it served railroaders and locals alike.
  • Though gone, it remains in the hearts of many who remember its impact.

Episode 7

 The First Church in Berlin: A Historic Landmark with a Civil War Past


The early German settlers of Berlin were deeply religious, and in 1850, Plot 30 became home to the first Methodist Church in the town. More than just a place of worship, this church also served as a hospital during the Civil War, playing a crucial role in the community’s history.

  • ️ Discover fascinating factoids about this historic church.
  •  Learn how it became a Civil War hospital.
  • Explore the deep religious roots of Berlin’s early settlers.

Episode 8

 

1834: The Arrival of the B&O Railroad & C&O Canal


In 1834, two major transportation projects—the B&O Railroad and the C&O Canal—began shaping the region at the same time. Each had its own vision, challenges, and impact on trade and travel.

  •  C&O Canal: Discover George Washington’s dream of connecting waterways, the obstacles it faced, and how the mountains challenged its progress.
  • B&O Railroad: Learn how the railroad provided a faster route from the Port of Baltimore to Ohio, featuring Tom Thumb, America’s first locomotive, and its expansion from Frederick to Berlin.


Explore the history of these two transportation giants and how they transformed the region!

Episode 9

 The C&O Canal: More Than Just a Big Ditch!


The C&O Canal was a game-changer for agriculture and trade, transporting flour, corn, potatoes, wheat, and coal. But beyond business, it was a way of life for the families who lived and worked along its waters.

  • Discover the role of locks and life aboard a canal boat.
  • Learn about the vital jobs of women and children on the canal.
  • Explore how devastating floods shaped its history.
  • Find out how a group of determined hikers saved the canal from becoming a highway!

Episode 10

Inside the Railroad Exhibit: Life on the railroad


Step into the world of railroad history as we explore a W.B. Tower, where dispatchers once controlled train movements. Discover what the job was like—featuring a telegraph, vintage equipment, and workstations that kept the railroads running smoothly.

  •  See authentic railroad worker uniforms and learn about their daily routines.
  • Find out how message hoops were used to deliver crucial instructions to moving trains.
  • Experience the history of railroading like never before!

Episode 11

 Early B&O Railroad History: The Trains That Shaped Berlin 


Step back in time to explore the early days of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and its impact on Berlin. Learn about the hardworking section gangs who built and maintained the tracks, the rise of steam-powered locomotives, and how these trains revolutionized the transportation of goods.

  •  Discover the tough, hands-on work of section gangs.
  •  See how steam locomotives powered progress.
  • Learn how the B&O Railroad shaped the growth of Berlin.

Episode 12

 

1890: The Birth of Brunswick – A Railroad Boomtown


What was happening in 1890 that brought B&O Canal representatives to Berlin? It was a time of transformation—Berlin was becoming Brunswick! With land prices rising and businesses flooding in, the town was on the verge of a boom. But where did the name Brunswick come from?

  • Discover how the railroad played a key role in this major change.
  • Learn about the economic growth that turned Berlin into a thriving town.
  • Uncover the mystery behind the name Brunswick and its significance.
  • Who was the first mayor of Brunswick?  Now the second largest town next to Frederick in the county with a voting population of 50!
  • Why were there only 50 people allowed to vote in town that had a population of 2000?

Episode 13

 Hats Off to Brunswick! 


Step into history as we showcase unique artifacts that tell the story of Brunswick through hats and headwear! From firefighting to baseball, each piece has a story to tell.

  • Hard hat from the local volunteer fire department
  • Derby hat from the early 1900s
  • Historic baseball caps & a catcher’s helmet

Episode 14

Women and the War Effort: Brunswick’s Railroad Heroines 


During wartime, women stepped up to keep the railroads running, proving their strength and resilience. Brunswick had its own female heroes, working tirelessly to support the war effort.

  •  Discover how women played a crucial role in railroad operations.
  • Learn about the challenges they faced and the impact they made.
  • Celebrate the unsung heroines of Brunswick’s railroad history.

Episode 15

 Boarding Houses & Early Kitchens: Life in Early Brunswick 


With the influx of railroad workers, boarding houses became a staple of early Brunswick. Many were run by railroad widows, who opened their large Victorian homes to provide food and shelter for workers. In this video, we take a walk through historic kitchens and explore museum artifacts that highlight daily life in these boarding houses. 

  • See the tools and cookware that shaped early home cooking.
  •  Learn about the women who ran these essential boarding houses.
  •  Discover how these kitchens served the hardworking railroad community.

Episode 16

Unions & Working Conditions: The Fight for Railroad Workers' Rights


Working on the early railroad was incredibly dangerous—with accidents leading to lost limbs and even lives. At our museum, we showcase unique artifacts that tell the story of these harsh conditions, including a wicker casket used to collect body parts from the railyard.

  • Discover the hazards railroad workers faced daily.
  • Learn how the B&O Railroad lowered wages, pushing workers to strike.
  • Explore the rise of railroad unions, including the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen (BRT) and their fight for fair wages and health insurance.
  • See union artifacts that highlight the struggle for workers’ rights.

Episode 17

Brunswick in the 1890s: Growth, Laws & Expansion 


Brunswick was rapidly transforming in the 1890s! The B&O Railroad expanded, opening a freight yard in 1891 and increasing passenger train service—bringing more people, businesses, and change to the town.

  •  Growth & Expansion – Discover how the railroad boom led to an increased demand for housing, stores, and entertainment.
  • Town Laws & Mayors – Learn how early mayors shaped Brunswick with laws like freedom of religion, banning rock-throwing, outlawing public drinking, and stopping sewage dumping.
  • Infrastructure Changes – Explore the impact of the new bridge to Virginia and the donated land that helped shape Brunswick’s modern road and alley system.

Brunswick Heritage Museum

40 West Potomac St Brunswick MD 21716

301-834-7100

Copyright © 2025 Brunswick Heritage Museum - All Rights Reserved.

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