Western Maryland College Historic District

The Western Maryland College Historic District contains six early structures spanning three acres at the southeast corner of the McDaniel College campus. The collection displays different architectural influences and building materials from the 19th century.

The six buildings arose during Western Maryland College's founding phase in the 19th century as the core of the new campus. The ensemble received its National Register listing in 1976, recognizing the importance of these early structures to the region's educational history.

The buildings shape the campus character through their varied architectural styles, ranging from Colonial Revival to Gothic and Romanesque elements. Visitors notice these different periods as they walk from structure to structure and observe the details.

The site is accessible from the southeast edge of the campus and can be explored on foot. Visitors should take time to view each building from the exterior and observe the differences in size and style.

The Ward Memorial Arch serves not just as a decorative gate but literally marks the boundary between the preserved historic core and the modern campus surrounding it. This architectural threshold shows how the institution kept its past while expanding.