est. 1797
227 YEARS
OF
CONTINUOUS PUBLICATION
      

Hagerstown Town & Country Almanack

T
/he Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack, first published in 1797, is the second oldest almanac in the United States. It began in a modest print shop on South Potomac Street in Hagerstown, Maryland and was the creation of colonial printer, John Gruber and his partner and son-in-law Daniel May. Gruber is considered by many to be one of Hagerstown's "favorite sons" right along with Jonathan Hager, the town's founder and namesake. Gruber's almanac has been published continuously for 227 years and is the ONLY almanac in the United States that is still published by direct descendants of its founder!

The Almanack, as it soon became known, grew in popularity, quickly becoming an integral part of everyday Early American life. For many years hence, it was THE primary source for agricultural, meteorological and astronomical information vital to an agrarian community's survival. The highly-accurate weather forecasts (made over 14 months in advance) were first derived using centuries-old methods but over the many years, the method has been advanced, incorporating newer, more reliable and advanced meteorological techniques.  And it still maintains it homespun charm offering tried-and-true folk remedies, useful hints and tips for managing the house, farm, and garden, advice for everyday living, and its special form of traditional wisdoms.  Millions of copies have been sold and it has been said that the The Almanack has made Hagerstown widely-known throughout the U.S. and has given Maryland an ‘epicenter’ of farming and agriculktural life.

Throughout its long history, The Almanack has been recognized countless times for its contributions to the development of Early American agrarian society (see Maryland Traditions' 2012 ALTA Award for Tradition),  as well as for making a significant contribution to our national pride (see Hagerstown Celebrates Star Spangled Banner's 200th Anniversary!). 

Gruber's Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack Company has been recognized by Wikipedia as the 56th oldest company in the United  States (the full list) and 1512th oldest in the world (the full list). 

The Almanack is the Perfect Gift for Any Occassion!

The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack is the perfect gift for any occasion!  Surprsie someone with a unique gift that truly keeps on giving throughout the year. Easter, Mother's Day, Fathers Day, Grandparents Day, and a birthday or marriage are all perfect opportnities to share this American Treasure! We are sure that you can identify more reasons to buy so go to www.almanack.com/order today and order your gift copies right now!  Consider giving the very popular 3-year subscription. It guarantees no price increase and will deliver The Almanack with no charge for shipping for the next 3 years. Or sign someone up as a Friend of The Almanack (FOTA), and give them immediate access to our new on-line digital version as well as a hardcopy of the current edition, receive access to past digital editions, access to the NEXT YEAR'S DIGITAL EDITION, and so much more! Great deals for a great almanac!

Almanack Weather Prognosticator/Meteorologist
Named Chief Meteorologist at WOAY-TV!

Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack Weather Pronosticator/Meteorologist, Chad Merrill has been named chief meteorologist at WOAY-TV in Oak Hill, West Virginia. Starting on Monday, March 13, Merrill will officially take over his duties but he has already started to post forecasts for the surrounding region. Click here for Merrill's peak bloom prediction for cherry blossoms this year.  

March: Winter's Revenge 

Mother Nature pushed the calendar ahead to early spring in Allegany,Garrett County,and the Potomac Highlands. Everything from extended warmth to brush fires made February feel like the transition into summer. In his monthly column in The Cumberland Times-News, Almanack Weather Prognosticator/Meteorologist and the recepient of The National Weather Association's Weatherbroadcaster's Seal of Approval, Chad Merrill, outlines what is to come in March.  Click here to find out.

Almanack Weather Prognosticator/Meteorologist
Awarded National Weather Association's
Weatherbroadcaster Seal of Approval! 


Almanack Weather Prognosticator/Meteorologist, Chad Merrill, was recently awarded the National Weather Association's prestigious Weatherbroadcaster Seal of Approval! The association’s Weatherbroadcaster Seal of Approval is earned by broadcasting meteorologists who pass both a rigorous written exam and an on-air evaluation by a group of panelists. The NWA Weatherbroadcaster Seal of Approval program was launched in 1982 to promote quality weather broadcasting.  According to the National Weather Association, only 1,045 meteorologists currently hold this honor. Click here for The Cumberland Times-News coverage of his great achievement. Congratulations to Chad, who not only provides The Almanack with its weather forecasts (14 months in advance!), but also is now chief meteorologist at WOAY-TV in Oak Hill, West Virginia, and also as a freelance meteorologist for WTOP-FM  Radio in Washington, D.C.

Almanack Weather Prognosticator
Provides Forecasts for Bishop's Events! 

Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack Weather Prognosticator/Metorologist, , Chad Merrill, announces that he will be providing Bishop's Events weather forecasts and updates for the days of their sponsored running events scheduled throughout the Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland, Greater Fredericksburg areas, and the Potomac Highlands. Click here for the latest one. 

Almanack Makes History Again with Gibbs-Smith Education!

In mid-May of 2021, the publishing house, Gibbs Smith Education, approached The Almanack, asking for support to provide historical backgrond on John Gruber, colonial printer, and more specifically, his Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack. to be included in a new text book for intermediate grade social studies curriculum. Aligned to meet new Maryland State Social Studies standards, the new text book entitled, Maryland: An American Adventure 1780–Present tells the complete story of the state and its nation’s growth over more than two centuries. Heavily illustrated with color maps, charts, photos, and illustrations, this is an indispensable tool for students to engage with both Maryland and American history, from its earliest days to the present day. Gibbs Smith used content from several vintage issues of The Almanack to depict rural life during this period, highlighting John Gruber's  contribution to the agricultural way of life.  Click here for more information on this and other text books and associated curricula from Gibbs-Smith and click here for the actual page in the new text book where The Almanack's content is used, along with associated questions for the students to discuss.

John Gruber Recognized by
The Washington County Historical Society 

The Washington County Historical Society recognizes John Gruber in its article entitled, 'Enjoy the Hagers-town Town and Country Almanack? Thank John Gruber — ‘the German Printer’', appearing in Hagerstown, Maryland's own Herald-Mail on Sunday, March 13, 2022.  The article, written by William Maharay, President of the Board of the Washington County Historical Society, focuses on the printing legacy of the colonial printer, including his famous publication, The  Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack!  Click here for the full article. 

                                                                                                                                                   For more HAGERSTOWN ALMANACK NEWS, click here