Art| Artifacts |Community
Through the lens of “We Are. . .” our core values of Community, Authenticity, Dialogue, and Discovery are echoed in objects, ideas, and stories throughout the galleries.
Explore the People, Places, & Events that Shape Maryland.
Lafayette in Maryland
MCHC joins the American Friends of Lafayette and a network of museums and sites commemorating the bicentennial of Lafayette’s tour and its impact on Maryland.
Explore the People, Places, & Events that Shape Maryland.
Painted Screens of Baltimore
A sampling of the painted screens collection is exhibited now on the first and second floors of the lobby atrium.
Explore the People, Places, & Events that Shape Maryland.
Explore the Exhibit
MCHC’s oral history collections are at the heart of the exhibition. Visitors encounter excerpts of oral history conversations with dozens of notable civil rights leaders.
Explore the People, Places, & Events that Shape Maryland.
Claire/McCardell
Claire McCardell redefined women’s fashion in America during the 1930s –1950s and she continues to influence American sportswear today.
Explore the People, Places, & Events that Shape Maryland.
Antietam shadow box
Shadow box made in 1886 by John Philemon Smith who witnessed the Battle of Antietam. It records the dedication of the Antietam National Cemetery in 1867 and lists Union soldiers who died.
Explore the People, Places, & Events that Shape Maryland.
Etting Mug
To commemorate their contribution to history, the men who defended North Point and Fort McHenry in 1814 scratched their names into this six-inch tall tin mug owned by Samuel Etting.
Explore the People, Places, & Events that Shape Maryland.
Material & Memories
Featuring Abstract #1 by Elizabeth Talford Scott in dialogue with responsive works by the African American Quilters of Baltimore and historic quilts from MCHC’s collection.
Explore the People, Places, & Events that Shape Maryland.
Become a Member
Receive free admission, our biannual scholarly journal, and discounts on event tickets and Museum Store items.
Explore the Future of MCHC
The Maryland Center for History and Culture (MCHC) is poised for the future, following the newly-developed 2023-2028 Strategic Plan.
The Maryland Center for History and Culture is more than a Museum and Library. We provide space for discovery and developing a deeper understanding of the nation’s history and culture through the lens of Maryland.
Upcoming Program
Doors Open Baltimore: Historic Painted Screens Tour
View Event DetailNext Upcoming
Virtual Panel—The Francis Scott Key Bridge, Dali, and Maritime Law
View Event Detail
Collecting Maryland
Collecting MarylandArt | Artifacts | Community
The 350,000 objects, artworks, and artifacts within the museum collections of MCHC tell the stories of our state’s interconnected communities. Collecting Maryland: Art, Artifacts, Community returns important works of fine and decorative arts to public view. Vignettes highlighting major collecting themes are organized to provide an introspective look at our institution and dive into the depth and breadth of our collections assembled over our 180-year history. Through the lens of “We Are. . .” our core values of Community, Authenticity, Dialogue, and Discovery are echoed in objects, ideas, and stories throughout the galleries. Collecting Maryland is designed as a flexible space for our curatorial team to experiment with new ideas and rotate frequently. We invite our members and larger community to come and learn something new with each visit.
Learn More
Passion and Purpose
Passion and PurposeVoices of Maryland’s Civil Rights Activists
Marylanders have been at the forefront of the national Black freedom struggle, from lawsuits that revealed the lies of the “separate but equal” doctrine in the 1930s and ’40s, to massive protests in the streets during the 1960s that forced a nation to confront its moral consciousness. This legacy continues through today. Visitors to Passion and Purpose learn and draw inspiration from the lived experiences of these activists who make up a complex mosaic of the long and continuing fight for civil rights in Maryland and the nation. This exhibition is on long-term view.
Learn More
Material & Memories
Material & MemoriesElizabeth Talford Scott and the Crazy Quilt Tradition
Talford Scott’s work as the centerpiece of this collaborative exhibition which engages the crazy quilt form in dialogue with responsive works by the African American Quilters of Baltimore and the antique quilts in MCHC’s collection. Crafted from the scraps of family members’ clothing and decorative household fabrics, these quilts are deeply personal “landscapes of memory.” Of Abstract #1, Elizabeth Talford Scott said, “This is a family quilt, all something from the family. Everything that I didn’t want to throw out I saved a piece of it.” In 1999, MCHC partnered with the Maryland Institute College of Art’s Exhibition Development Seminar to present Eyewinkers, Tumbleturds, and Candlebugs: The Art of Elizabeth Talford Scott, a retrospective of her work. Material and Memories reconnects MCHC as a community partner with the Baltimore Museum of Art’s anniversary show, presenting Talford Scott’s work at locations throughout Baltimore City.
Learn More
Claire / McCardell
Claire / McCardellOn view now!
Claire McCardell redefined women’s fashion in America during the 1930s –1950s and she continues to influence American sportswear today. By designing for modern American women like herself, McCardell became synonymous with the American fashion rebellion. Beneath her dynamic, confident, and strong-willed business persona, Claire was a shy introvert in conflict with this perceived identity. Through family letters, personal interviews, and archival documents, juxtaposed with examples of McCardell’s designs spanning her career, this exhibition gives a more intimate look at the woman behind the iconic label. This exhibition is curated by Tory Burch Claire McCardell Fashion Fellow Robyn Levy. Support for this Fellowship is generously provided by the Tory Burch Foundation.
Learn More
Liberté/Liberty
Liberté/LibertyLafayette in Maryland
Located in the H. Furlong Baldwin Library alcove gallery, Liberté/Liberty highlights the affection and esteem in which Marylanders held him through a variety of fine and decorative arts, letters, and newspaper clippings. At the exhibition’s center is a full-length portrait of Lafayette ca. 1822 A celebrated hero of the American Revolution, Gilbert de Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette, was a frequent and favorite visitor to Maryland both during and after the war. On his return tour across all 24 states of the union from 1824 to 1825, he was fêted at parties, balls, and less formally in private homes. In acknowledgment of the esteem held for him across the state, the Maryland Legislature declared him, and all his heirs forever, citizens of Maryland.
Learn MoreLibrary
Dedicated to preserving the irreplaceable history of Maryland
The H. Furlong Baldwin Library invites visitors to explore the records of Maryland’s past and preserves irreplaceable historical materials for future generations.
Library Catalog
Digital Collections
Membership
A Word From Our Members
Our members believe what we believe: history can illuminate the past, lend perspective to the present, and inform the future. Don’t take our word for it. Hear what they have to say.
Join or renewThere is a lot to be gained by joining which contributes to the preservation of so many items in the [MCHC] collection that are precious to our country’s history. The museum was a surprise to me, and had me engaged for hours. The gift shop had so many lovely things, and the discount offered to members is a great incentive to purchasing books. When I cannot get to [the MCHC], they have an online collection that allows access to amazing documentation.
Kimberly K. Walters, Member Since 2017
100+ Years of the Maryland Historical Magazine
Read past issues digitized through a partnership with the Maryland State Archives. Enjoy print copies mailed to you with membership.
view issuesBlogs & Updates
All Updates
A Major Booster Event for Baltimore
Post published September 29, 2022 One hundred eight years ago this fall, the city of Baltimore played host to the…
Read MoreGenerous leading support for this website was provided by the Sheridan Foundation with additional support from the Helen Clay Frick Foundation.