We’re residents, business owners, and property owners who love this town a little more every day. That’s why we created the Reisterstown Improvement Association, Inc., doing business as (DBA) Reisterstown Main Street - to support everyone who calls Reisterstown home and to keep our community growing in all the right ways. Our mission is simple: strengthen our town, support thoughtful progress, and preserve the charm (and incredible history!) of a place founded by John Reister in 1758.

Reisterstown’s story started with one big idea and one welcoming tavern. After purchasing land along an old Native American trail called Conowago Road, John Reister opened a stop for travelers heading to and from Baltimore. Shops, trades, and families soon followed, and he expanded onto a larger piece of land he named “Reister’s Desire.” What began as a humble roadside stop grew into a community built on hospitality, hard work, and the belief that this little place could become something extraordinary. That spark still drives us today.

At Reisterstown Main Street, we carry that legacy forward by:

• Supporting local businesses and encouraging economic growth
• Working with state and county partners to upgrade public spaces and infrastructure
• Leading beautification projects and cleanups
• Promoting safety and caring for our environment
• Encouraging historic preservation and good stewardship of our buildings
• Hosting the festivals, concerts, and traditions that bring everyone together

And if you’ve ever been here throughout the year, you know Main Street comes alive. Spring launches with the Bloomin’ ArtFest and the Beer & Wine Festival. Summer brings Music on Main Street and weekly Farmers Markets. Fall traditions, holiday celebrations, and family-friendly events fill the rest of the calendar, because around here, we always find a reason to gather.

We’re also proud to honor our past in meaningful ways. Many of our historic buildings still stand tall, several with plaques marking their story, including those once owned by the Reister family! Our volunteers have helped restore the Reisterstown Community Cemetery, gifted by John Reister to the “People of Reisterstown” in 1764. It remains the resting place of our founder, veterans of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, formerly enslaved individuals, and generations of local families. It’s also one of the nation’s earliest fully integrated cemeteries. A powerful reminder of the resilience, diversity, and shared heritage that define us.

Reisterstown has always been shaped by people who care...people who show up, lend a hand, dream big, and help this town keep moving forward. Today, our community continues that legacy. Together, we’re writing the next chapter of Reisterstown’s story: honoring the people who came before us, celebrating the community we are now, and building the future for the generations who will follow.