Howard County Welcome Center

  • 8267 Main Street
  • Ellicott City, MD 21043

The Howard County Welcome Center, located at 8267 Main Street, Ellicott City, MD 21043, is OPEN on Tuesday - Sunday from 10AM - 5PM. Additionally, Visit Howard County staff is available via email and phone please see https://www.visithowardcounty.com/about/tourism-council/meet-the-team/ for up to date contact information.

Pardon our Dust … and Dirt.

The exterior of the Howard County Welcome Center is getting some much-needed TLC. We’re renovating the front lawn to make it more visitor-friendly and to maintain this lovely green space right in the center of historic Ellicott City. 

We’re still open and accessible for visitors who would like to visit our Welcome Center for information and to speak with our wonderful staff. The work is anticipated to be completed by mid-November. 

We will keep you posted on our progress and hope to see you soon!

Here's all that we're doing to ensure the health and safety of our visitors and staff: 

  • Masks optional 
  • Social distancing signage 
  • Plexiglass barriers at the Welcome Desk
  • Frequent sanitization of surfaces and touchpoints 
  • Reduction of touchpoints to include suspended merchandise sales 

While visiting you can …

    • Meet a friendly Visitor Service Specialist with local insights
    • Pick up the Official Howard County Visitor Guide and regional maps and travel brochures
    • Check-out historical, cultural, and recreational displays
    • Rest and recharge 

All in lovingly renovated historic Post Office from 1939 with its vintage fixtures and charming furnishings, must-see New Deal era murals, and the original walk-in safe now complete with brass P.O. Boxes.

A little bit more information …

The oil paintings on the west and east walls of the Howard County Welcome Center were painted in 1942 by Petro Paul De Anna, an artist commissioned by the federal government as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. From 1934 to 1943, the New Deal murals and sculptures seen in Post Offices were produced under the Treasury Department’s Section of Painting and Sculpture, later called the Section of Fine Arts. Unlike the Works Progress Administration/Federal Art Project, with which it often is confused, this program was not directed toward providing economic relief. Instead, the art placed in Post Offices was intended to help boost the morale of people suffering the effects of the Great Depression with art. Through a partnership with the Ellicott City Partnership and the Ellicott City Restoration Foundation, a full restoration took place in early 2016.

Attractions - General Info
  • Days & Hours of Operation: Tuesday - Sunday 10 am - 5:00 pm, Friday - Saturday 9 am - 5:00 pm
  • Handicap Accessible:
  • Wi-Fi Access:
  • Gift Shop/Shopping On Site:
  • Pet Friendly:
  • Public Restrooms: