The Hagerstown Town & Country Almanack

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 Attends the Great Frederick Fair!

On September 22, 2023, The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack attended The Great Frederick Fair in Frederick, Maryland!  Staff and members of The Almanack's management team were on hand to distribute free samples of this 228-year old regional treasure and to discuss the coming winter weather with fair-goers, young and old.  When receiving our words of appreciation and thanks for including us in their thoroughly enjoyable event, the Fair co-ordinators responded straight-away, "We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the fair! Attached is the photo taken by the fair photographer; we can't wait to see it on your website. You are definitely invited to join us again next year!  Please mark Friday, September 20, 2024 from 12:00 -3:00 pm on your calendar. And many thanks for the 2023 and 2024 Almanacks!! Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Take care."

Everyone here at The Almanack does appreciate the invitation and looks forward to attending again next year!


From left to right: Almanack Weather Prognosticator Emeritus, Bill O'Toole, Almanack Business/Sales Manager, Jerry Spessard, Editor and direct decendaent of Almanack founder John Gruber, Charles W. Fisher, Jr., and Almanack Meteorologist/Weather Prognosticator, Chad R. Merrill. 

October: Will The Fall Foolliage Season Deliver?

The Great Friends of The Almanack Give-Away!

Now, EVERY DAY is the day of  The Great Friends of The Almanck Give-Away!  Be one of the first 100 Almanack readers/followers today to claim a special subscription to The Friends of The Almanack Membership Program.  Simply send an email to The Almanack Editor, place AM I A WINNER? in the subject line and your first name in the body.  Good luck!  

Almanack Weather Prognosticator to Provide Forecast for Bishop's Events!

Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack Weather Prognosticator/Meteorologist, Chad Merrill, annoiunces that he will be providing Bishops Events weather forecasts and updates for the days of its sponsored running events scheduled thoroughout the Nothern Virginia, Southern Maryland, the greater Fredricksburg areas, and the Potomac Hignhlands.  Click here for the latest one. 2024 Hagerstown Almanack Available in August!

2024 Hagerstown Almanack Available in August!

The 2024 edition of The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack will be available beginning in August, again, earlier than in past years!  This is the 228th issue of a regional treasure, continuously published since 1797, now famous for its outstandingly-accurate weather forecasting for the coming year, done over 12 months in advance!  Go to The Almanack Press Releases for more details.   

The Almanack now has Chad R. Merrill doing the weather calculations.  Merrill is chief meteorologist at WOAY-TV in Oak Hill, West Virginia, recent receipient of the The National Weather Association's presitigious Weatherbroadcaster Seal of Approval (see below), and soon-to-be listed in the upcoming 2024 Marquis Who's Who (also see below). 

Go to Where to Buy The Almanack for retail locations in your area.  Or you can simply go to Order Now! and have your copy (or copies!) sent right to your front door! And consider the 3-year subscription, guaranteeng the price of your favorite almanac for three years, and have it delivered every year. Or become a  Friend of The Almanack, receive a single hardcopy,  special access to the digital version of TWO issues of The Almanack, receive the monthly newsletter, access to past digital editions, and so much more!  A great deal for a great almanac!

Almanack Weather Prognosticator Inducted into Marquis Who's Who!

 
The Gruber Almanack, LLC proudly announces that its Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack Weather Prognosticator/Meteorologist, Chad R. Merrill, has been inducted into the prestigious Marquis Who's Who Biographical Registry!  Individuals profiled in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.  Leveraging more than two decades of excellence in short-term to seasonal weather forecasting, Merrill has earned distinction as the chief meteorologist with WOAY-TV, producing live weather updates for the evening newscasts and creating different weather and science segments. Merrill has also been a radio meteorologist with WTOP News since 2022 and a weather prognosticator with The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack since 2019. He also lends his expertise as a meteorologist while serving as a columnist for the Cumberland Times-News.  Click here for further details. 

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.  

Almanack Weather Prognosticator 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.

 

                                                                                                                                                   For more HAGERSTOWN ALMANACK NEWS, click here