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 and success 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). 

Snowstorm Targeting Tri-State Region!

The Cumberland Times-News is calling for up to 5 inches of snow on  Wednesday, Janauary 26th throughout the region before changing over to freezing rain and ice.  Click here for Almanack Weather Prognosticator Chad Merrill's advice on how to "weather"this major winter event!  

January: Early Month Thaw or Deceptive Tease?

Now that Mother Nature has delivered the coldest weather in more than three decades, many wonder if the onset of mild weather for New Year’s weekend is a trick or a long-term treat.  In his monthly column in the Cumberland Times-News, Almanack Weather/Meteorologist Chad Merrill answers this question and more.  To read his year-end forecast,  click here.   

December: Crank Up The Heat Even More!

November will go down as colder than average with a winter preview attached. As a fresh blast of rain and breezy weather moves across western Maryland and the Potomac Highlands on this final weekend of the month, many are wondering if Mother Nature will go full-throttle into winter for December. In his monthly column in the Cumberland Times-News, appearing on Saturday, November 26th, Hagerstown Almanack's Weather Prognosticator/Meteorologist, Chad Merrill shares his full forecast for the last month of 2022. But click here and you can read it now!

The Almanack Makes the Perfect Holiday Gift!

The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack is the perfect gift for anyone of any age that truly keeps on giving throughout the coming year. Go to www.almanack.com/order and order your gift copies today!  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!

November  Winter Arrives!

October brought brilliant fall colors to western Maryland and the Potomac Highlands with the perfect recipe of antecedent wet weather, cooler temperatures and light wind. While the weather is in a lull late this month, the upcoming pattern favors a swift transition to winter in November. Click here to read more of Almanack Prognisticator, Chad Merril''s  monthly column in The Cumbeland Times-News to appear this Saturday, October 29th. 

Hagerstown Almanack Forecasting Mild 2022-2023 Winter!

In an exclusive interview with Hagerstown's own Herald-Mail, published on September 6, 2022, Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack's Weather Prognostictor/Meteorologist, Chad Merrill, previews his predictions of below-average snowfall this winter and a growing season starting "slightly earlier than average".  Click here to read the full article with his complete forecast. 

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 works as senior meteorologist for both WeatherWorks,Inc. and Nowcast Weather Radio Network. 

Almanack Weather Prognosticator Provides Forecasts for Bishop's Events! 

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

The Almanack Makes History Again with Gibbs-Smith Education!

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