Welcome

Museum and Spring House Gift Shop will be open on Thursdays 10am - 2pm, and second and fourth Saturdays from 1pm to 3pm. 

For more information on any of these programs, email us at westsidehistorical@gmail.com or phone 410-726-8047

About Us

Our Mission

Westside Historical Society seeks to preserve the history and traditions of this part of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland for future generations, and to promote an awareness and appreciation of the area's heritage.

We attempt to save and restore significant historical buildings or sites, artifacts, documents, records, photographs and art reflective of the history and culture, and coordinate preservation efforts with other local organizations. We work with area youth and civic groups, publish local history monographs, and promote exhibits.

Get Involved

Our community is filled with history throughout the Westside of Wicomico County in Maryland. Get involved by planning a visit with your family & friends, educational tour, or even become an active member. 


Check in with us for updates for local Westside Events, Author's of Delmarva Book Talk Series, & More! 

Come Visit Us

Come Visit the lovely town of Mardela Springs, Maryland that has so much rich history on the Delmarva Peninsula. Experience our culture by visiting the area! We can accommodate you on local history from very knowledgable historians that have made preserving our local history a priority in the community. As well as, knowing where to eat local & stay for a long weekend getaway! 

Contact Us

Drop us a line!

Better yet, see us in person!

We love our visitors, so feel free to visit by scheduling a time that is convenient to you!  

Westside Historical Society

PO Box 194, Mardela Springs, MD 21837, US

(410) 726-8047

Hours

Call to schedule your Westside Historical Museum visit! 


Welcome! A Breif History of Westside Historical Society

 

Westside Historical Society was formed in 1985 by citizens of the western part of Wicomico County in an effort to preserve the rich history and cultural heritage of this part of the lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, and to that end now engages in a variety of programs and events. Our focus is on that part of the County originally identified as the voting district of “Barren Creek” (presently encompassing the towns of Mardela Springs, Athol, Riverton, San Domingo, and Sharptown) as well as Hebron, Quantico, and Nanticoke and villages in the area.

A broad cross-section of the population attend events sponsored and produced by the Society, ranging from local school children, farmers and watermen, to artists and professionals, and all who share a concern for and dedication to the preservation of the area’s history and culture. 

We work with other heritage organizations locally and in the area, including the Adkins Historical Museum & Complex, in Mardela Springs, Pemberton Hall Foundation and Pemberton Historical Park, Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, Hebron Train Station Museum, Ward Museum, Quinton Foundation, the Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council, Wicomico Preservation Trust, MAC Inc. for the Lower Shore, Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, and more. Students from Salisbury University and Mardela Middle and High School have worked as interns in the Barren Creek Heritage Museum.

Achieving our goals of preserving and promoting our heritage has been assisted by grants from Md. Historical Trust, Preservation Maryland, Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, and the Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council, and Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, among others. In 2006 Westside Historical Society was awarded the Heritage Award by the Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council for outstanding work in preservation of our history and culture. 

Westside Historical Society office and a Local History/Family History Library are located in Mardela Springs MD. at 413 Main Street, and in the same building is the Barren Creek Heritage Museum. WHS also owns and makes available to the public the historic Barren Creek Springs Church [1842] and the Barren Creek Spring House, central focus of the mineral water spa town of Barren Creek Springs. The Board of Directors and officers of the Society meet quarterly; meetings are open to members, and to visitors by request. 

The Society is recognized for federal tax purposes as a 501c3 non-profit organization, and is registered with the Maryland Dept. of State as a Maryland Charity.