Washington County’s ninth annual Museum Ramble is scheduled for the weekend of May 5th and 6th, 2012. The Ramble, sponsored by the Washington County Association of Museums and Historical Sites (WCAMHS) and the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), includes twenty-three local museums and historic sites. Most of the participating museums are opening their doors free of charge and many have special surprises planned for the weekend. Grab a Museum Ramble Passport at any of the participating museums and after you’re done “rambling,” drop it off at a museum, to have a chance to win a free basketful of goodies!

The Museum Ramble is a self-guided tour that will be offered Saturday, May 5th and Sunday, May 6th (please check the guide for each museum’s hours). Maps and directions to participating sites, as well as refreshments for participants, will be available at the Visitor Welcome Center in downtown Hagerstown. The WCAMHS and the CVB, along with the design expertise of Icon Graphics, have put together a brochure and map specifically for this year’s Ramble.

“No matter what your interests are — fine arts, rural heritage, American history, black history, geology, or trains — you’re sure to enjoy a ramble through this year’s selection of Washington County museums,” says Museum Association President Bill Knode. “We welcome visitors and residents to take a trip through our county and see some of our wonderful museums. Start the day with refreshments at the downtown Hagerstown Visitor Center and look for surprises at all the museums along the way!”

Of Maryland’s 300-plus museums, more than 10 percent are located in Washington County. The Museum Ramble makes the most of this by welcoming residents and visitors to the county’s museums, many of which are private and typically open by appointment only.