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.
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Hutzler’s box
Collar box, circa 1880, Gift from the Archives of Hutzler Brothers Co. On view in the new exhibition, "The Hutzler’s Experience: How a Small Dry Goods Store Became a Maryland Institution."
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Eubie Blake Piano
A celesta piano owned by Baltimore jazz musician James Hubert "Eubie" Blake (1887-1983). Made by Mustel & Company in Paris, France. Circa 1923.
Explore the people, places and events that shaped 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 and events that shaped Maryland
The Maryland Center for History and Culture is more than a museum and library. We provide space for the community to discover and develop a deeper understanding of our nation’s history and culture through the lens of Maryland.
Upcoming Program
Vanguard: How African American Women Led the Movement for Voting Rights
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The Hutzler’s Experience
The Hutzler’s ExperienceHow a Small Dry Goods Store Became a Maryland Institution
Hutzler’s was a department store dynasty that dazzled generations of shoppers in Maryland. Hutzler’s was more than a store. It was an experience.
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Spectrum of Fashion
Spectrum of FashionNow Open Through December 2020
The Maryland Center of History and Culture has unlocked one of its greatest archival treasures in a new exhibition, Spectrum of Fashion, open through December 2020. The visually stunning installation highlights the extraordinary breadth of the MCHC costume collection across four centuries and features nearly 100 examples of women’s and men’s clothing and accessories, as well as decorative arts.
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Wild and Untamed
Wild and UntamedDunton’s Discovery of the Baltimore Album Quilts
Follow Dr. William Rush Dunton Jr. on his journey to understand the Baltimore album quilt tradition and learn how quilts served as the building blocks for his groundbreaking work in occupational therapy. Explore our internationally famous quilt collection, including never-before-seen pieces, and Dr. Dunton’s personal works to unravel a narrative that connects Dunton’s views on quilts, gender, and mental health in the 1940s.
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Flickering Treasures
Flickering TreasuresRediscovering Baltimore’s Forgotten Movie Theaters
In 1896, Marylanders crowded to Electric Park to see the lights and attractions, including the very first moving-picture show. Movies were magical, transporting the viewers to new places, inviting them to escape their everyday lives, marvel at a new technology, gather news, and appreciate art. Movie theaters became symbols for the worlds they were unlocking, ethereal buildings where people gathered to take a journey together through the movie screen.
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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.
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Shake Up Maryland History!
Educational Programs
Students gain essential social studies skills by engaging with our collections in person and virtually.
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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
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Explore the unique Maryland-made gifts, books, and consignment items in our Museum Store.
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Something Old, Something New
In this post, France-Merrick Director of the H. Furlong Baldwin Library Catherine Mayfield provides an update on happenings behind the […]
Read MoreGenerous leading support for this website was provided by the Sheridan Foundation with additional support from the Helen Clay Frick Foundation.