Construction of new reception pavilion for Carroll County Farm Museum to begin soon

Construction of a new 3,500 square-foot pavilion at the Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster is moving forward.

The Board of Carroll County Commissioners at their meeting Thursday unanimously voted to award a $27,841 contract to the Union Bridge construction company, Stambaugh’s Inc., to begin site work for the new pavilion.

Work will include installation of sediment controls, tree removal, addition of topsoil, and seeding and mulching “to help with stormwater runoff until the pavilion can be built,” according to a county briefing paper.

The new pavilion is intended to be used for receptions and weddings and other gatherings throughout the year.

The county started design work in 2022, and construction is expected to start and be completed this summer. The construction budget is $475,000.

Dana Wachter, the museum’s event coordinator, said in an interview Friday that the covered pavilion will be a great addition to the venue and will be positioned in the middle of the property for easy access.

Wachter said the pavilion will have permanent seating, an advantage for visitors who prefer not to carry in their own chairs.

“It’s something we’re really excited about,” she said.

Currently, there is one small, covered pavilion inside the gates of the property, and two just outside the gates. The pavilions are used for events throughout the year.

The farm museum hosts 6 to 12 weddings each year and welcomes about 70,000 visitors annually to its many events, Wachter said.

“A great example, and our largest, is the food truck event,” she said. “We can count on 2,500 to 3,000 people.”

The next food truck day is June 9, from noon to 5 p.m.

The farm museum sits on 5 acres at 500 S. Center St., in Westminster and is operated by the county government. The complex consists of 15 buildings.

The county also announced Thursday that the museum is now part of a nationwide initiative known as Blue Star Museums. The program provides free admission this summer to active U.S. military personnel, including the National Guard and Reserve, and their families.