The Frederick County Landmarks Foundation is inviting the public to visit and tour barns at the foothills of the Catoctin Mountains in a one-day ‘Barnstormers’ Tour. The self-guided tour will be held on Saturday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will feature 10 beautiful and unique barns in the Thurmont and Emmitsburg area of Maryland.

This rare tour of older and outstanding barns includes: Zephyr Hills Log Barn, one of very few log barns left in the area; the Schley-Ramsburg Brick Barn; the Franklin Barn, a superlative barn and the smallest on the tour; Shriver’s Brick Barn, one of the biggest and oldest around; the lightly framed barn at Shriver’s Meats; Shriver’s Patchwork Barn, known for its

quilt-like appearance; Bell Hill Farm; the Springfield Barn; FEMA’s National Emergency Training Center Barn, built for the Daughters of Charity in support of St. Joseph's College; and Fitzgerald’s Barn.

The day’s events also include artists at each of the barns, who will be creating paintings that will be sold at the end of the tour as a fundraiser for Barnstormers’ efforts to save the barns of Frederick County. Admission includes the barn tour, the art sale, and reception. The art sale and reception immediately follow the tour, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

"The public has never been able to tour most of these barns before," said Birch Hotz, chairperson of the Barnstormers. "Walking into these barns is like walking into the past. They are valuable beyond measure and we must respect them" said Hotz.

The self-guided, one-day tour follows scenic country roads around Thurmont and Emmitsburg. Tickets to the event include a brochure with a detailed map and descriptions of the barns. Docents will be at each barn, providing information and escorting people to areas of interest.

Tickets are on sale now for $15 at the Tourism Council of Frederick County, 19 East Church Street, Frederick; Schifferstadt, 1110 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick; the Cozy Restaurant, 105 Frederick Road, Thurmont; the Shamrock Restaurant, 7701 Fitzgerald Road, Thurmont; and the Rebecca Pearl Gallery, 3 East Main Street, Thurmont. Children 16 years and under are free.

Tickets will also be available for sale the day of the event at any of the participating barns. For more information call 301-293-2215.

This family event is a fundraiser to increase awareness of, and inspire a passion for, the barns of Frederick County. The Barnstormers Tour is a special project of the Frederick County Landmarks Foundation.

The Barnstormers Committee is looking for volunteers to help with the event. Anyone interested should call Patrick Alley at 301/ 471-8762.