Hagerstown Town & Country Almanack

he Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack was established in 1797, making it 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 225 years and is the ONLY almanac that is still published today 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 16 months in advance) were first derived using centuries-old methods but over the years, the method has been advanced, incorporating newer, more reliable techniques. And it still contains favorite folk remedies, useful hints and tips for everyday living, and other forms of traditional community 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 agricultural life.

Throughout its long history, The Almanack has been recognized countless times for its contributions to the steady development and success of colonial 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!). 

The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack is featured on the front page of The Baltimore Sun's Sunday, December 13, 2020 edition!  Staff writer, Jonathan Pitts, speaks with Charles W. Fisher, Jr., Editor and direct decendant of Almanack founder, John Gruber,  Jerry Spessard, Business and Sales Manager, Chad Merrill, Weather Prognosticator/Meteorologist, and Bill O'Toole, Weather Prognisticator Emeritus , about its 225-year history, surving in a digital, online age, and what we can expect in the way of winter weather coming this year and next.   Click here and check out  The Sun's really nice and easy-to-access on line, digital e-newspaper.