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Jonathan Hager House & Museum
Visit the refurbished home of Hagerstown's founder, Jonathan Hager, built circa 1739. This one of a kind house museum is staged with historic furniture and artifacts. Take a guided tour of the restored limestone homestead fortress built over a never-failing spring for an authentic educational heritage experience unlike any other. Located at 110 Key Street in Hagerstown City Park in Washington County, Maryland.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Now open for the season! Private Tours available upon request.
Seasonal hours: Mid-April through October
Fridays & Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Tours start on the hour, no appointment necessary.
- Private tours available by appointment, Sun. - Thurs.
- Allow at least 48 hours for scheduling private tour requests.
- To schedule a tour, contact: (301)739-8577 x 170
- Ask us about school field trips!
ADMISSION*
| Adults | $5.00 |
| Seniors (age 62 years +) | $3.00 |
| Students (age 13-17 years) | $3.00 |
| Youth (ages 6-12 years) | $2.00 |
| Children (ages 5 years & under) | Free |
| Group Tour Rate (per person, minimum:5) | $3.00 |
| *Admission rates may vary for special programs & events. For details, call: 301-739-8577 x 170. |
| 2018 Programs & Events |
|---|
| City Park Fall Fest Saturday, September 15 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. History comes to life for City Park Fall Fest with 18th century period-dressed tour guides and historic interpreters' demonstrations, music on the porch, free house tours, and vendors with items available for purchase! This annual event where all four museums in Hagerstown City Park collaborate to offer a wonderful day of unique arts, entertainment, and historical activities for free educational fun for the family, celebrating cultural community gems. |
Hager House Ghost Tours
Fridays & Saturdays
7pm, 8pm & 9pm
Oct. 12 (Activity #6190)
Oct. 13 (Activity #6191)
Oct. 20 (Activity #6192)
Oct. 26 (Activity #6193)
Step inside the dark and eerie quiet of the historic 18th century home of town founder, Jonathan Hager. Get a realistic peak into the past- what life was like in 1740 by candlelight tour through the historic house museum filled with period artifacts. Your guide will bring history alive with local haunts and legends in this three-story limestone colonial fortress built over a never failing spring! Max tour group size: 15 visitors/hour-tour. $7/person
Fridays & Saturdays
7pm, 8pm & 9pm
Oct. 12 (Activity #6190)
Oct. 13 (Activity #6191)
Oct. 20 (Activity #6192)
Oct. 26 (Activity #6193)
Step inside the dark and eerie quiet of the historic 18th century home of town founder, Jonathan Hager. Get a realistic peak into the past- what life was like in 1740 by candlelight tour through the historic house museum filled with period artifacts. Your guide will bring history alive with local haunts and legends in this three-story limestone colonial fortress built over a never failing spring! Max tour group size: 15 visitors/hour-tour. $7/person
Walk City Park Ghost Tours
Fridays & Saturdays
8pm & 9pm
Oct. 12 (Activity #6198)
Oct. 13 (Activity #6199)
Oct. 20 (Activity #6200)
Oct. 26 (Activity #6201)
The echoes of the sights and sounds of local lore and legend still reverberate through Hagerstown City Park. Begin your journey at the Hager House grounds. Then head south into the heart of City Park and hear the shocking history of ghost stories of many buildings, byways, and hide-a-ways throughout the historic site. Hosted by Historic City Park Neighborhoods First. $7/ person.
Fridays & Saturdays
8pm & 9pm
Oct. 12 (Activity #6198)
Oct. 13 (Activity #6199)
Oct. 20 (Activity #6200)
Oct. 26 (Activity #6201)
The echoes of the sights and sounds of local lore and legend still reverberate through Hagerstown City Park. Begin your journey at the Hager House grounds. Then head south into the heart of City Park and hear the shocking history of ghost stories of many buildings, byways, and hide-a-ways throughout the historic site. Hosted by Historic City Park Neighborhoods First. $7/ person.
Paranormal Train Ghost Tours
Fridays & Saturdays
8pm- 10pm
Oct. 12 (Activity #6194)
Oct. 13 (Activity #6195)
Oct. 20 (Activity #6196)
Oct. 26 (Activity #6197)
Visit the grounds of City Park Train Hub and head out with Oculus Paranormal Team among the historic retired rail cars and steam locomotive engine 202, for a nightly investigation demonstrating the use of actual ghost hunting equipment. This is for those who want to create their own ghost stories. $15 pre-registered, or $20 on-site.
Fridays & Saturdays
8pm- 10pm
Oct. 12 (Activity #6194)
Oct. 13 (Activity #6195)
Oct. 20 (Activity #6196)
Oct. 26 (Activity #6197)
Visit the grounds of City Park Train Hub and head out with Oculus Paranormal Team among the historic retired rail cars and steam locomotive engine 202, for a nightly investigation demonstrating the use of actual ghost hunting equipment. This is for those who want to create their own ghost stories. $15 pre-registered, or $20 on-site.
Site History
On June 5, 1739, Jonathan Hager purchased 200 acres of land from Daniel Dulany for 44 pounds. He dubbed his tract "Hager's Fancy." With the location carefully chosen over cool spring water, construction of the now 3 1/2 story home began. In 1740 Hager married German neighbor, Elizabeth Kershner and presented her with the new house.
The new home must have evoked many pleasant memories for the Hagers. Styled in the German tradition, the large central chimney added warmth to the stone structure, while a fill of rye straw and mud between floors and partitions served as insulation against the cruel winters. During the summers, the family could retreat to the cellar where the spring water provided coolness as well as safety and convenience. The Hagers must have been comforted by their home's twenty-two inch walls which stood firmly
against man and nature.
Structurally impregnable, with a protected water supply, Hager's home served as a frontier fort in case of Indian attack.
The Hagers lived at "Hager's Fancy" for several years. During that time, Jonathan grew prosperous. He opened a trading post within his home as he continued to acquire land. On May 8, 1745, "Hager's Fancy" was sold to Jacob Rohrer for 200 pounds. The house remained within the Rohrer family until 1944. At that time, it was acquired by the Washington County Historical Society under the leadership of Hager historian Mary Vernon Mish, the house was restored to its former colonial beauty. It was presented to the City of Hagerstown in 1954. In September 1962 the home was opened to the public on the bicentennial anniversary of Hagerstown.
Today the Hager House is now completely outfitted with authentic furnishings of the period. It depicts a life long since forgotten. Not many American cities older than the country itself can present the homes of their founders completely restored. Hagerstown Maryland, has been given such a gift-for stepping into the Hager House is like taking a walk through the past.
Evincing leadership from the moment of his arrival in Western Maryland, Hager quickly became a leading citizen. He was involved in many activities: farmer, cattleman, even a gunsmith. Hager was a volunteer Captain of Scouts during the French and Indian War. In 1762 he founded Hagerstown and in 1771 and 1773 he was elected to the General Assembly at Annapolis, qualifying him as the first German to make his mark in politics.
On November 6,1775, Captain Hager was accidentally killed while supervising the building of the German (now Zion) Reformed Church on land which he had donated. At the time, he was serving on various critical pre-Revolutionary War Committees. Hager has been called the "Father of Washington County" due to his having laid the groundwork for its separation from Frederick County in 1776 and the subsequent creation of Hagerstown as County.
Situated in Hagerstown's City Park, the Hager House is built of uncut fieldstones carefully fitted by the young German immigrant who had traveled to the wilderness of Western Maryland in search of adventure and possible fortune. Jonathan Hager had arrived on the shores of the new colonies in 1736, debarking at the Port of Philadelphia. Eventually, he chose to make his home in Maryland, where Charles Calvert, proprietor of the colony, was offering cheap land to those willing to settle in the western frontier. Many immigrants turned back, but Hager refused to be discouraged.