Odenton offers several cultural and historical perspectives: the OHS Historical Center and Museum explores life in the town from the mid-19th century to the present, while the Odenton Historic District encompasses streets and a residential neighborhood. The Citizens State Bank and Odenton Masonic Lodge No. 209 offer further historical and architectural perspectives. For travel planning, a specific date is important for the museum, while the district is best explored by getting your bearings within an area of town.
The Museum: Insights Across a Long Period
The OHS Historical Center and Museum is open to the public on the first Sunday of every month from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Visits on other days are possible by appointment. Since opening hours may change, check the latest visitor information before your trip, especially if you plan to visit during the first-Sunday time slot.
The collection includes artifacts, photographs, and reading materials. Together, they offer insights into life in Odenton from the mid-19th century to the present. The different materials provide various ways to explore the area's history: objects, images, and texts complement one another. The focus is therefore not on just one era, but on a broad span of time extending to the present day.
The Odenton Historic District and Its Landmarks
The Odenton Historic District is an officially designated historic district by Anne Arundel County. It includes the main roads of Odenton Road and Becknel Avenue, as well as the surrounding residential neighborhood. This means that the historic district encompasses not only the two roads but also the adjacent residential area.
The Odenton Heritage Society recommends that visitors walk through this part of town and see Odenton's historic center. Odenton Road and Becknel Avenue provide specific geographic reference points, while the residential neighborhood extends the view beyond the streets. The recommendation focuses on an area of town and the historic center, not on a single building.
Historical Significance and Architecture
The Citizens State Bank is listed in Maryland's inventory of properties included in the National Register. Its building is historically significant for its association with the development of the Odenton area during World War I. This specific period contrasts with the broad span covered by the museum collection: here, the focus is on a particular phase in the area's development.
The Odenton Masonic Lodge No. 209 was built in 1912 on the south side of Odenton Road in Odenton, Maryland. It is a two-story frame meeting hall. As a well-preserved, representative example of a clubhouse typical of small communities in the early 20th century, it is architecturally significant.
At the lodge, the frame construction and meeting hall describe different aspects of the building: its construction method and building type. The architectural classification also draws attention to the scale of small communities in the early 20th century. Together with its specific construction year, 1912, this offers a different perspective from the museum collection or the historical significance of the Citizens State Bank. Those interested in local history can explore Odenton through a long span of time, a designated district, and a range of buildings.
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