Activities Calendar

The Friends of Monterey Pass offer a wide range of activities throughout the year, both on their own behalf and in collaboration with others.  All these activities are shown below under the headings “Recurring Events” and “Special Events” (the chronological list of activities below the calendar). You can always download the master list of activities for reference at home. The master list and the website will always have the most current list of activities.

Summer 2023 Activities Note:

A great season has been planned for 2023. While the Museum officially opens on April 8th, the park and trails remain open year round. Only a few details remain to be firmed up. As details for each event are prepared, scroll down to see Recurring Activities and the chronological Special Events below.

We can arrange tours as our members are able to support. We have a 6-passenger golf cart for some of you who may need help getting up the hill, also by arrangement with available members. To contact us with these and other questions, email us at montereypassbattlefield@gmail.com.

We want to thank thousands of you who waited patiently while we assembled all the pieces of the coming year’s activities. Material that does not say “Under Construction” is confirmed. Check back periodically where you see material highlighted in red for updates and changes.

We’re preparing a fund raising campaign to purchase the Toll House and several acres of adjoining land where the fiercest part of the battle took place. If you want to help, or know of others who share an interest in historical preservation and might want to participate, email us at montereypassbattlefield@gmail.com.

Preserving the historical significance of the park is what we do. To join us or help with contributions, see our “Support for” or “Friends of” Monterey Pass” pages on this website. In the meantime, be well, be safe and enjoy our park.

Recurring Activities:

  • Board Meetings: Meetings of the Friends of Monterey Pass Board are held at the Museum on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm.
  • Monterey Pass Park Hours: The park is open to the public from dawn to dusk year round. Evening hour activities can be approved by the Chairman of the Board of Washington Township or his designated representative. The Pavilion must be scheduled through Washington Township. Contact information is located on our “Contact Us” page.
  • Museum Hours for 2023: Monterey Pass Museum will be open each Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm, from April 8th to November 12th, 2023. A wide array of artifacts, stories, books and more are available each weekend. A great place to start or stop your exploration of the trails and scenic overlooks in the park.
  • 4-Seasons Photo Contest: Friends of Monterey Pass are looking for striking digital images to celebrate Monterey Pass during any of the 4 seasons of the year. Each annual contest runs between August 1st and July 31st. Prizes for the best three photos are $125, $75 and $50. Detailed Rules and Guidelines are available for download. Join the fun. Please visit again on August 12th, 2023 when winners will be announced at the Museum.

Special Events (in Chronological Order):

  • Mar 5:  Healthy Adams County Physical Fitness Task Force hike at Monterey
  • Mar 23: Chamber of Commerce Mixer (4 – 6pm) – Join us for an evening of light refreshments, beverages and networking at the Museum.
  • Mar 31 – Apr 13:  The Institute will be hosting 5th Graders from the Waynesboro School District Starting Friday, March 31st through Thursday, April 13th.  Students will enjoy two programs, Monterey Peak Adventures and Civil War: Battle at Monterey Pass.  They will hike to the Monterey Peak observation deck and learn about forest ecology and the geologic features surrounding them. They will also get an overview of the Civil War as well as the battle that took place at midnight along the Mason-Dixon Line in July 1863. Students will tour the museum, visit a Civil War-era garden, and experience hands on activities to learn about the everyday lives of the Civil War soldiers.
  • Apr 8 – Nov 12: Museum is open for 2023 Season (Every Sat & Sun, 10am – 4pm)
  • Apr 14 – 16:  Living History Weekend – Military Encampment.  Join the War Between the States Society as the 69th Pennsylvania and the 23rd North Carolina reenact camp life and battle.  Units will be available Friday – Sunday to share camp life, the school of the soldier, and unit histories.  Horse drawn wagon rides will be available all three days and a blacksmith will demonstrate skills.  Saturday and Sunday will feature reenactments of the Battle of Monterey Pass.  Specific activities include 
    • April 14th – 16th,
      • 9:30am – Present Unit Colors   
      • 9:30am – 4pm: School of the Soldier, Camp Life, Unit History
      • 10:00am – 3:00pm: Blacksmith 
      • 10:00am – 4:00pm: Joel Moore, Author, Retired Teacher – Stories
      • 10:00am – 4:00pm: Horse drawn wagon rides on Maria Furnace Rd
      • (Note:  Sunday activities will end at 3pm)
    • April 15th – 16th, 1:15 – 2pm: Battle of Monterey Pass Reenactments
  • May 2:  Garden Talk #1 of 4 in the Civil War Era Garden: Planting an Herbal Container Garden (6:30 – 7:30pm) – The Institute’s gardening expert Pam Rowland presents a program about growing herbs in containers. Learn about the different containers that can be used for planting herb gardens, and about the uses of culinary herbs. Rowland will demonstrate planting an herbal container garden, and talk about the needs and growing habits of herbs, as well as how to take care of your container garden. Free, but space is limited and registration is required. Register online here.
  • May 13:  Paranormal Party in the Park (1 – 5 pm): 15+ vendors, authors, paranormal teams, Scentsy, food & the Ecto-Jeep  at the Pavilion. For more information, contact Ghost Pit Tours at theghostpit@yahoo.com.             
  • May 13: Ghost Pit Tours – Come back in the evening to take a tour with the Ghost Pit crew as you look for and meet the ghosts living in the woods around the battlefield.  It’s a lot of fun for the whole family.  To schedule, use their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/paranormal219), or contact them at theghostpit@yahoo.com and (717) 496-6071.  Their full schedule is shown on their Facebook Events page.  Ghost Pit Tours cost $20 which gets donated to the museum. Tickets can be purchased via PayPal through theghostpit@yahoo.com. 
  • May 16:  Garden Talk #3 of 4 in the Civil War Era Garden: Walk & Talk—Medicinal Uses of Herbs (6:30 – 7:30 pm) – In The Institute’s third Garden Talk, pharmacist and Master Gardener Greg Susla will conduct attendees through the garden with an eye to exploring the various herbs cultivated there. He will discuss the medicinal uses of herbs during Civil War times—whether ingested, steeped into a tea or applied topically—and also talk about whether any of the herbs have a medical use today. Susla has extensive experience with medicinal herb gardens, and with the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Free, but space is limited and registration is required. Register online here.
  • May 20 & 21: Living History Weekend at the Battlefield Park – Join us for Artillery and Infantry demonstrations by the 2nd Maryland Artillery (Baltimore Light Artillery) and Infantry Tactical Demonstations by the 4th Texas Co B and the 69th Pennsylvania Co D from the famed Irish Brigade.  Also featuring “Civil War Historical Impressions” Doug Decker portraying Fed Surgeon Dr Brinton who will discuss field medicine.  All strive to re-create the best impressions of Civil War life possible based on research and documentation.  In addition, learn about Civil War uniforms and paint a soldier you can keep.  Supplies limited, so please register in advance with John Welker at johnwelker117@gmail.com. The schedule includes:
    • Artillery Demos
      • Daily 10am & 2pm
    • Infantry Reenactments:
      • Sat & Sun: 9:30am & 2:30pm   
    • Medical Displays: Daily
    • Camp Life Open to Visit:                     
      • Sat      9:30am – 5pm          
      • Sun     9:30am – 2pm
    • Bring the Past to Life with Paint:
      • Sat at Noon
  • May 20 – 21: Also this weekend, Resident Battlefield Guide John Galie Walking Tours in the Park.  A thoroughly enjoyable and easy walk along the trails and roads used by retreating Confederate and pursuing Union forces. (Sat – 11am & 2pm, Sun – 11am) John had a knee injury recently which will prevent him from hobbling up Maria Furnace Road for this event. We hope to see him back for another scheduled weekend of tours September 23 – 24.
  • May 23:  Garden Talk #4 of 4 in the Civil War Era Garden: Walk & Talk—How to Create Natural Dyes from Herbs & Plants (6:30 – 7:30 pm) – In the fourth and final Garden Talk, The Institute’s gardening expert Pam Rowland presents a program about creating natural dyes. Learn which herbs to plant for creating natural dyes, as well as what dye color each plant produces. Using examples of naturally-dyed woolen yarn—and even Easter eggs—Rowland will discuss the process of making natural dyes from herbs and other plants. Free, but space is limited and registration is required. Register online here.
  • Jun 3: Arts in the Park (10 am – 4 pm): Come meet local artists on hand at the Museum and surrounding grounds who will be displaying and selling their work.  A lot of these people are your talented neighbors.  While you’re there, enjoy the music of Mountain Air. Its going to be a great day.  (10am – 4pm, continuous) . . . OR, if you’re a local artist, register at the online form or send in the downloadable registration form. While you’re there, relax to the vocal harmonies of local musical group Mountain Air from 12- 3 pm. Antietam Dairy is scheduled to attend with their famous iced cream truck. Inclement weather day is Sunday, June 5th, same times.
  • Jun 3 – 25: Book Sale:
    • On weekdays from June 3 – 25: Take your old books to R. Lee Royer’s office at 10764 Buchanan Trail East, Waynesboro PA, during their normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 am – 5 pm).
    • On Saturdays and Sundays, June 3 – 25, from 10 am to 4 pm, come to the Museum to find that book you’ve been looking for.
    • For more information on book drop-offs, or the book sale, call 717-762-5619, or email leeroyerassociates@comcast.net, or montereypassbattlefield@gmail.com.
    • All books not purchased will be donated to the Blue Ridge Summit Library at their Iced Cream Social on Jul 15th at the Blue Ridge Summit Free Library.
  • Jun 17th (1 – 4 pm) Music in the Park – The Plate Scrapers at the Museum.  The Plate Scrapers are Derek Kretzer (banjo), Andrew Jordan (guitar), Robbie Mann (fiddle), Jody Mosser (dobro), and Kevin Johnson (bass).  Formed in 2014, the band has produced 3 studio albums and 3 live albums.  They’ve developed quite a following and reputation for their progressive and diverse bluegrass sound.  Their most recent album debuted at #9 on the Billboard Bluegrass charts. For more on The Plate Scrapers, click here.  Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and / or blankets as this is an outdoor event.  Food and beverages by Antietam Dairy. Inclement weather dates to be determined. Under Construction – check back later
  • Jun 24th and 25th: Living History Weekend at the Battlefield Park featuring the W.S. Hancock Society: Your chance for hands-on instruction with artillery pieces and to learn about life as a civil war soldier. The W.S. Hancock Society will be presenting non-firing Artillery demos detailing the operation and functions of a Civil War Artillery piece and its crew.  Your chance for hands-on instruction with artillery pieces.
    • Jun 24       
      • Non-Firing Artillery Demos  11am, 1 & 3pm
      • Camp Life Open to Visit         9:30am – 5pm
    • Jun 25        
      • Non-Firing Artillery Demos   11am, 1 & 2:30pm
      • Camp Life Open to Visit         9:30am – 2pm 
  • Jun 30 – Jul 2: Living History Weekend – 160th Anniversary Battle and Military Encampment.  Join the War Between the States Society as the 69th Pennsylvania and the 23rd North Carolina reenact camp life and battle on the 160th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.  Units will be available Friday – Sunday to share camp life, the school of the soldier, and unit histories.  Horse drawn wagon rides will be available all three days and a blacksmith will demonstrate skills.  Saturday and Sunday will feature reenactments of the Battle of Monterey Pass.  Schedule includes:
    • Jun 30 – Jul 2 
      • 9:30am – Present Unit Colors
      • 9:30am – 4pm: School of the Soldier, Camp Life, Unit History
      • 10:00am – 4:00pm: Horse drawn wagon rides on Maria Furnace Rd
      • (Note:  Sunday activities will end at 3pm)
    • Jul 1 – 2, 1:15 – 2pm:
      • Battle of Monterey Pass Reenactments
  • Jul 15:  Blue Ridge Summit (BRS) Library Iced Cream Social and Book Sale (9am – 2pm) – at the BRS library.  The Iced Cream Social is a 46 Year tradition of the BRS library, raising funds for the Building Board.  It includes a book sale, food, vendors music and children’s games.   The Friends of Monterey Pass are proud to lend support.  For more on this event, email brsmtnboard@gmail.com.      Under Construction – check back later
  • Jul 31st – 4 Seasons Photo Contest submission deadline: see details here;  also August 1st is the start date for the 4th Annual Contest for 2023 – 2024.  
  • Aug 12: Civil War Relics Day (10 am – 4 pm): For all collectors, an open invitation to share your artifacts and relics of the Civil War with friends and neighbors at the Museum.
  •  Aug 12:  Announce the winners of our Third Annual Photo Contest at the Museum (12 noon)
  • Sep 23 – 24: Living History Weekend at the Battlefield Park:  Join contemporary representatives of the 2nd United States Sharpshooters (USSS) as they demonstrate Sharpshooter skills and techniques, and soldiers lives during the Civil War.  Sharpshooters and skirmishers played a major role in Civil War Battles.  Both sides used these means to find and determine the shape of their adversaries formations.  Schedule includes:
    • Sep 23           
      • 9:30am – 4pm           Camp Life Open to Visit\
      • 10am – 2 pm             Sharp Shooters Tactical Demos (blank fire)
    • Sep 24           
      • 9:30am – 2pm           Camp Life Open to Visit                         
      • 10am – 1 pm             Sharp Shooters Tactical Demos (blank fire)
  • Sep 23, (1 – 4 pm):  Music in the Park – Bobby D and the Truck Stop Burritos – Bobby D. and the Truckstop Burritos are Bobby Miller, Greg Johnson, David Repass, and Ragan Potts.   A local favorite, known for their special brand of honky tonk country and rock, fans and newcomers can expect a lively, fun show. For more on Bobby D, click here.  Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and / or blankets as this is an outdoor event.   Food and beverages by Antietam Dairy.  Inclement weather date to be determined.  Under Construction
  • Sep 23 – 24: Also this weekend, Resident Battlefield Guide John Galie Walking Tours in the Park.  A thoroughly enjoyable and easy walk along the trails and roads used by retreating Confederate and pursuing Union forces. (Sat – 11am & 2pm, Sun – 11am)
  • Nov 12th – Last day of the 2022 Season: The Museum will be open for the last time this year from 10 am – 4 pm.

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