Laurel Historical Society

02/22/2026

02/18/2026

📜 Protecting Laurel’s Past, Planning Its Future 📜

How will the 2025-2026 Master Plan Update affect our Historic Districts?

From Main Street to our residential landmarks, the Master Plan guides future decisions on development and land use. Join us on Zoom to hear an update from Jay Meashey (Director of Economic & Community Development) on the work completed so far by the Review Committee and consultants.

📍 Zoom Presentation 📅 Thurs., February 19 at 6:00 PM 💸 Tickets: Free (Registration required)

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the goals for our community’s growth.

🎟️ Save your spot: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/speaker-series-master-plan-update-2025-2026-tickets-1981966741878?aff=oddtdtcreator

(📸 Image: Main Street looking West from Route One. Courtesy of the Boston Public Library)

02/14/2026

We are thrilled to announce our newest exhibit: “Beyond the 4th: Stories of Laurel’s Freedom Celebrations,” opening tomorrow, Sunday, February 15!

As part of the nation’s 250th anniversary, we’re inviting you to journey through Laurel’s unique history of independence—from the grand U.S. anniversaries of 1876, 1926, and 1976 to the celebrations of Emancipation Day, Juneteenth, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Laurel Pride.

Come explore the artifacts, personal stories, and the "Inclusion and Exclusion" panels that reveal the full, rich tapestry of our community's fight for liberty and self-expression.

📅 Opening: Sunday, February 15, 2026 from Noon to 4PM 📍 Location: The Laurel Museum 🎟 Admission: FREE

02/12/2026

📜 Protecting Laurel’s Past, Planning Its Future 📜
How will the 2025-2026 Master Plan Update affect our Historic Districts?

From Main Street to our residential landmarks, the Master Plan guides future decisions on development and land use. Join us on Zoom to hear an update from Jay Meashey (Director of Economic & Community Development) on the work completed so far by the Review Committee and consultants.

📍 Zoom Presentation 📅 Thurs., February 19 at 6:00 PM 💸 Tickets: Free (Registration required)

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the goals for our community’s growth.

🎟️ Save your spot: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/speaker-series-master-plan-update-2025-2026-tickets-1981966741878?aff=oddtdtcreator

(📸 Image: Main Street looking West from Route One. Courtesy of the Boston Public Library)

02/11/2026

We are thrilled to announce our newest exhibit: “Beyond the 4th: Stories of Laurel’s Freedom Celebrations,” opening Sunday, February 15!

As part of the nation’s 250th anniversary, we’re inviting you to journey through Laurel’s unique history of independence—from the grand U.S. anniversaries of 1876 and 1976 to the vital celebrations of Emancipation Day, Juneteenth, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Laurel Pride.

Come explore the artifacts, personal stories, and the "Inclusion and Exclusion" panels that reveal the full, rich tapestry of our community's fight for liberty and self-expression.

📅 Opening Day: Sunday, February 15, 2026 📍 Location: The Laurel Museum 🎟 Admission: Always free!

See how Laurel celebrates freedom—beyond the fireworks!

02/02/2026

Celebrate Black History Month with LHS!

Image Text: Located at the site of the former Laurel Cotton Mill, the pool at 9th & Main Street opened in 1949 as a private, segregated facility. There was a period of racial tension and violence during the summer of 1967, and a community association group formed in the historically Black community of The Grove. The association appealed to the city for neighborhood improvements, and having access to recreational facilities was among them. The City of Laurel purchased the pool in 1967 and re-opened it as a desegregated facility.

01/28/2026

The Laurel Historical Society (LHS) is honored to have been selected as one of 30 recipients of the 2026 Hatza Memorial SHINE Grant! We are thrilled to be recognized alongside such an outstanding group of organizations.

This marks the second year in a row that LHS has received support through this impactful program. In 2025, funding from our SHINE grant helped us plan and deliver a wide range of educational programs, from our Annual Summer Camps to Main Street Walking Tours! This support came at a critical moment, as we navigated the cancellation of a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant.

Continued support from statewide partners like Maryland Humanities has been essential to achieving our mission of sharing and preserving Laurel’s architectural and cultural heritage. All of us at LHS send our sincere thanks to Maryland Humanities for their continued commitment to our mission, and for helping us shine a light on Laurel’s rich and diverse history.✨🏛️

Please stay tuned for updates on how we will put these funds to work for our community!

Congratulations to our 2026 Hatza Memorial SHINE Grantees!

We’re thrilled to have awarded 30 general operating grants throughout Maryland. Grantees are small and mid‐size nonprofits conducting exceptional work in the humanities. We’re honored to support these organizations contributing to a strong, equitable Maryland!

Thank you to the State of Maryland via the Maryland Historical Trust for funding these grants and helping to invest in a healthier and stronger humanities landscape statewide.

Visit our website to see the full list of our 2026 SHINE grantees: https://www.mdhumanities.org/grants/awarded-grants/

01/19/2026

Today, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The establishment of Martin Luther King Jr. Day was itself a hard-fought milestone, reflecting the struggles Dr. King challenged us to confront. Preserving these stories and experiences is essential to understanding our shared past. To learn more about the history behind this federal holiday, we invite you to visit: https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/15-year-battle-martin-luther-king-jr-day

📷: This historic photograph of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was taken on October 31, 1964, in nearby Baltimore, Maryland, where he is surrounded by supporters in the street. Photographer: Leonard Freed. Courtesy of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

12/21/2025

This evening marks the eighth night of Hanukkah, or Chanukah. To all who celebrate- may your celebrations be warm and meaningful, and may peace and light be always in your hearts.

12/18/2025

🚨 Last Call! All Aboard! 🚨 Take a trip through Laurel’s rail history before Laurel Rides the Rails: Tales of Trains and Trolleys departs for good. Last chance to experience this year's exhibit is Sunday, December 21! 🚂✨