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Throughout 2022 EC250 Inc., in partnership with participants countywide, will coordinate special celebratory activities and events across Howard County to honor the 250th anniversary of historic Ellicott City, Maryland.  Planning is under way to bring an assortment of fun, entertaining, and educational activities to both the town and venues across Howard County. 

We already celebrated with “Where’s George?” (as in George Ellicott, a member of Ellicott City’s founding family, who was reported to have returned to his old stomping grounds as the 250th anniversary of the town draws near.) Visitors to Ellicott City were encouraged to look for George out and about and around town. When they spotted George, they were encouraged to snap a photo, share it in a Facebook post using the hashtag #IFoundGeorgeinEC and tag @EC250. We think George will be back as the weather gets nicer once again!
 
Through historical exhibits and interpretive reenactments, educational curriculum and lectures, special contests, and cultural activities, the stories of the town older than the country itself will come alive. Visitors will experience anew the town built by the Ellicotts “in the hollow” along the Patapsco River.
 
With pride in the past and a belief in the future the festivities begin Spring 2022! 

*Events subject to change.

where's George?
EC250 anticipates more in town sightings of George, his relatives, and other historic figures relative to Ellicott City’s history as the anniversary year approaches. “Where’s George?” and future “History Comes Alive” appearances are sponsored by Patapsco Heritage Greenway and Ellicott City’s Main Street Oriental Rugs.

October 24, 2019

EC250 Kickoff Party

B&O Railroad Museum
3711 Maryland Ave, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Can you believe Historic Ellicott City will be 250 years old in 2022?  Well, we’re so excited about, it we started the festivities early.  Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, our planning committee and special guests joined us for our first official EC250 event.  We kicked off the festivities by revealing the EC250 logo design, talking about the events we have in the works, and listening to some music of days gone by. Don’t worry if you missed it; you can find out about all of the fun we’re planning for the year 2022 by joining our mailing list and by following @EC250 on social media. Learn about ways you can get involved!

April 2022*

Springtime in Historic Ellicott City!

Throughout Historic Ellicott City
Spring is a beautiful time of year in Historic Ellicott City.  The daffodils have begun to show their bright colors, the ice on the banks of the river has melted, and the trees are budded up in anticipation of their full display.  Come and join us in for our big springtime celebration of Historic Ellicott City!  This will be a day of fun for the whole family.  Come hear musicians play, make a historical themed craft, hear a lecture on the founding of historic Ellicott City, or spend the day shopping and dining at the current establishments.  Activities for the whole family abound, but don’t forget to finish your evening with a ghost tour!
*Exact date TBA

DECEMBER 2022

Historic Holiday Home Show

Tour shuttle buses depart from the Howard County Historical Museum
8328 Court Ave, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Have you driven through Historic Ellicott City and see the beautiful homes that surround the heart of town?  Have you ever wondered what those homes were like on the inside?  We’ll now’s your chance to take a peak!  Visit historical homes decorated in all their winter holiday splendor, hear stories of the histories of the homes, and marvel at the loving care these homes have seen since they were first built.  Tickets for this tour of Historic Ellicott City Holiday Homes will sell out fast, so be sure to join our mailing list to make sure you know when they go on sale.

Does your organization want to hold an EC250 event?

It’s been 50 years since the last significant anniversary of the town’s founding — in 1972 we celebrated Ellicott City’s Bicentennial. Does your school, business, community or nonprofit have an event to contribute to Ellicott City’s 250th anniversary? Please submit events below. 

    What is the proper name for a 250th anniversary?

    ___ Sestercentennial

    ___ Semiquincentennial

    ___ Bicenquinquagenary

    (It’s actually ALL of the above.)

    Sestercentennial – To express 2½ in Latin it would be expressed as “half-three”. The term relates to being halfway [from the second] to the third integer. In Latin this is “Sestertius” which is a contraction of semis (halfway) tertius (third)—hence Sestercentennial.

    Semiquincentennial – Probably a modern coined term: semi- (half) × quin (5) × centennial (100 years) = 250 years. Used by Brown University in 2015.

    Bicenquinquagenary – Used by Princeton University in 1996, Reading, Pennsylvania in 1998, and Washington and Lee University in 1999. It is a coined word for an anniversary of 250 years: bi- (2) × cen(t)- (100) + quinquagenary (50 years).