Cecil County Tourism

05/27/2026

Step inside a piece of Cecil County’s waterfront history this season at the Upper Bay Museum. From commercial fishing and decoys to life along the Upper Bay, the museum helps preserve stories that shaped our region for generations.

They’re now open Saturdays and most Sundays through October 11 from 12pm–4pm and if you’ve never been, this is a great year to visit.

Following their page for schedule updates and special openings.

Memorial Day weekend is our "opening weekend" each summer, and this year we'll be open every Saturday and most* Sundays from 12pm-4pm.

Thank you for your support!



* if we will be closed on a Sunday, it will be posted to our website and page. If you aren't able to make it while we're open, send a message or email a few days ahead of time and we'll do our very best to arrange for a volunteer to open for you.

The background is a photo of Buddy Reynolds at the old wharf in North East, surrounded by the hoops of a trap net. The text says 2026 Season, Open 12pm - 4pm, Saturday May 23, Sunday May 24, Monday May 25, Saturdays and most* Sundays through October 11. The museum logo is in the top right corner.

05/26/2026

Remembering Those Who Served- Elkton Main Street Parade

Before the highways, neighborhoods, and landmarks we know today, generations of Cecil Countians answered the call to serve.

This photograph from around 1924 captures Elkton’s Main Street (then part of U.S. Route 40) filled with a community turned out in full support as World War I veterans marched through the heart of town. Members of Company E move past the Howard Hotel.

In those days before the modern dual highway was built south of town, Main Street was not only the center of business and daily life, but also the place where communities gathered for moments of honor, remembrance, and homecoming.

From small-town parades and train station farewells to community memorials and celebrations of return, images like this remind us that service and sacrifice have always been part of Cecil County’s story, carried not only by those who served, but by the communities that stood behind them.

On June 26, 1941, the new dual highway at the southern edge of Elkton was formally dedicated at the state line, and U.S. Route 40 signage was removed from Main Street, marking the end of one era of travel through the town’s historic core.

As we continue reflecting through and America’s 250th anniversary, this image preserves more than a parade, it preserves memory, service, and community pride.

Source: Maryland State Archives, Robert G. Merrick Collection, Cecil County History

05/23/2026

Due to rain, Sunday racing has been canceled but you can still enjoy Fair Hill Turf Showcase steeplechase races on Monday! We hope to see you there!

https://www.theracingbiz.com/2026/05/23/sunday-fair-hill-races-canceled/?shem=rimspwouoe,

Because of heavy precipitation, Sunday’s flat meet at Fair Hill has been canceled.

05/21/2026

Music, history, and community come together in Elkton Juneteenth Community Celebration!

Elkton Juneteenth – Roots of Resilience brings a community celebration of freedom through culture, education, music, and history.

📍 Elkton Community Center
121 Stockton Street, Elkton, MD
🕚 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Live performances, speakers, historical exhibits, local artisans, hands-on activities, and food vendors will fill the day, creating space to experience Juneteenth through culture, creativity, and connection.

🎤 Featured performer Xaala Mnaima will return to the stage as part of this year’s lineup.

Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the United States and continues to be recognized as a powerful day of reflection, education, and celebration of freedom.

🎟️ More information:
https://linktr.ee/info.elktonjuneteenth

05/20/2026

Elkton's own Bernard “Pretty” Purdie is arguably the most recorded drummer in the world. He hit the New York music scene in the early 1960’s, and landed his first hit with Mickey and Sylvia - the beginning of a stellar career.

This led to his 25-year association with Aretha Franklin. Purdie has been a regular guest in the studios of the stars of Jazz, Soul, and Rock, working with Lonnie Youngblood, King Kurtis, Les Cooper, Paul Butterfield, Larry Coryell, Miles Davis, Hall & Oates, Al Kooper, Herbie Mann, Todd Rundgren, and Cat Stevens, as well, as regularly producing his own solo albums.

This list is incomplete. It must be, because no other drummer in the last four decades has seen the interior of a recording studio as often as Bernard “Pretty” Purdie.

Come see him LIVE at Elkton Music Hall on June 19th as part of Elkton Juneteenth Community Celebration!

🎟️ https://link.dice.fm/la28beaf05c3

⚡️JUST ANNOUNCED⚡️

Elkton's own Bernard “Pretty” Purdie is arguably the most recorded drummer in the world. He hit the New York music scene in the early 1960’s, and landed his first hit with Mickey and Sylvia - the beginning of a stellar career.

This led to his 25-year association with Aretha Franklin. Purdie has been a regular guest in the studios of the stars of Jazz, Soul, and Rock, working with Lonnie Youngblood, King Kurtis, Les Cooper, Paul Butterfield, Larry Coryell, Miles Davis, Hall & Oates, Al Kooper, Herbie Mann, Todd Rundgren, and Cat Stevens, as well, as regularly producing his own solo albums.

This list is incomplete. It must be, because no other drummer in the last four decades has seen the interior of a recording studio as often as Bernard “Pretty” Purdie.

Come see him LIVE at Elkton Music Hall on June 19th as part of Elkton's Juneteenth celebration.

🎟️ https://link.dice.fm/la28beaf05c3

05/19/2026

Before the Dam: The Village of Conowingo

Long before the towering hydroelectric dam we know today, Conowingo was home to a bustling river crossing that connected communities, commerce, and travelers along the Susquehanna River.

The original village of Conowingo sat at the river’s edge, where ferries and later bridges carried people, livestock, and goods across the water for generations. It was a vital link between Cecil and Harford counties and an important part of everyday life in the region.

But everything changed in the 1920s with the construction of the Conowingo Dam. As the dam project moved forward, the old village, roads, and historic crossing were flooded beneath the newly created reservoir. Families relocated, buildings disappeared, and an entire piece of local history was submerged.

Today, thousands cross the river near Conowingo without realizing there was once a thriving riverside community below the waterline, a place now remembered only through photographs, stories, and the echoes of the past.

As America marks 250 years, we remember not only the places still standing, but also the communities forever changed by progress and time.

05/12/2026

The Burning of Principio Furnace

On May 3, 1813, British troops crossed into Cecil County and set fire to Principio Furnace, one of the most important ironworks in early America.

For nearly a century, Principio had helped shape Cecil County’s identity and economy. The furnace produced iron for the colonies, supported American industry, and supplied cannon and military materials during the War of 1812. Because of its importance to the American war effort, it became a target during the British raids along the Chesapeake.

The destruction of Principio Furnace was more than the burning of buildings, it was an attack on a community, its industry, and a vital piece of Cecil County’s future. Yet even after the fires of 1813, Principio rebuilt and continued operating for generations, becoming a lasting symbol of resilience and perseverance in Cecil County history.

More than 200 years later, the story of Principio Furnace remains one of Cecil County’s defining moments, a reminder that even through destruction, communities endure.

05/08/2026

🎉📍 Make Plans to Visit Cecil County This Weekend!

As National Travel & Tourism Week wraps up, there’s still time to experience everything our county has to offer.

From local events and historic sites to outdoor adventures and great food, Cecil County is the perfect place for your next day trip or weekend getaway.

📍 Come explore. Stay awhile. Make memories.

05/07/2026

Step back into history right here in Cecil County 🌿🏡

The Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage – Cecil County Tour is happening this spring, offering a rare chance to explore some of Southern Cecil’s most stunning historic homes, gardens, waterfront estates, and sacred sites.

📅 Sunday, May 24 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🎟️ Discounted advanced tickets are available now

This self-guided tour features incredible stops including historic manor homes, farms, churches, and landmark properties that showcase the beauty and heritage of our region.

🎫 Tickets & info:
www.mhgp.org/cecilcounty

www.mountharmon.org

or follow Mount Harmon and Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage for details

If you love local history, architecture, and gardens in full bloom, this is one you won’t want to miss.