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Explore the People, Places, & Events that shape Maryland.
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 Art| Artifacts |Community

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.

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Explore the People, Places, & Events that shape Maryland.
Opening Soon!
 Lafayette in 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.

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Explore the People, Places, & Events that shape Maryland.
On View Now!
 Painted Screens of Baltimore

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.

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Explore the People, Places, & Events that shape Maryland.
Passion and Purpose: Voices of Maryland's Civil Rights Activists
 Explore the Exhibit

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.

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Explore the People, Places, & Events that shape Maryland.
Learn More
 Claire/McCardell

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.

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Explore the People, Places, & Events that shape Maryland.
Plan Your Visit
 Antietam shadow box

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.

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Explore the People, Places, & Events that shape Maryland.
Plan Your Visit
 Etting Mug

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.

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Explore the People, Places, & Events that shape Maryland.
Elizabeth Talford Scott and the Crazy Quilt Tradition: Opening February 1, 2024
 Material & Memories

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.

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Become a Member

Receive free admission, our biannual scholarly journal, and discounts on event tickets and Museum Store items.

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Take a Guided Tour

Group tours of 20 or less are currently being offered, Wednesday through Saturday.

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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.

Explore the 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.

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Upcoming Event
Free!!

Free First Thursday

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Profile photograph of Claire McCardell.
Current Exhibitions

Claire / McCardell

Claire / McCardell

On 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.

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Current Exhibitions

The Unfinished Revolution

The Unfinished Revolution

Maryland in the Wars for Independence

The Unfinished Revolution explores the turmoil of the United States’ emergence on the world stage between 1775 and 1815. The exhibition highlights two points that became certain—the country’s revolution remained unfinished, and Marylanders of many races and creeds were at the forefront of each conflict. This exhibition is on long-term view.

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Current Exhibitions

Liberté/Liberty

Liberté/Liberty

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Current Exhibitions

Stitched in Favor

Stitched in Favor

200 years of The Historic St. James Episcopal Church

Reflecting on the enduring legacy of The Historic Saint James Episcopal Church; the first African Protestant Episcopal church. This exhibition honors the church’s unwavering commitment to faith, education, and social justice, inspiring future generations to continue to fight for equality and empowerment. By chronicling the church’s journey from its founding in 1824 to its enduring legacy today, the exhibition explores the rich history of this cornerstone of African American heritage in Baltimore through historic and contemporary textiles, art, and artifacts.

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Realistic oil painting of a watermelon and grapes, with dramatic lighting to emphasize the colorful fruits.
Current Exhibitions

Collecting Maryland

Collecting Maryland

Art | 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.

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294
Tools + Scientific Instruments
1000
Maritime Objects
900
Pieces of Furniture
1
Something for Everyone

Library

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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Library Catalog

Search for books, periodicals, pamphlets, manuscripts, maps and more.
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Digital Collections

View digitized paintings, photographs, prints, and other materials.
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Paul Robeson, photograph by Paul Henderson, 1948, HEN.00.A2-156

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 renew
“ ”
There 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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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.

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Blogs & Updates

All Updates
Image of A Major Booster Event for Baltimore
September 29, 2022

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…

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Generous leading support for this website was provided by the Sheridan Foundation with additional support from the Helen Clay Frick Foundation.