About

The Maryland Center for History and Culture acknowledges that the land on which our institution stands is part of the ancestral homelands of the Piscataway and Susquehannock Nations, and current home to many Indigenous communities. We acknowledge this kinship far predates permanent European settlement. Maryland’s history includes intergenerational harm and the forced displacement of many Indigenous tribes and nations through colonization. Within this context, our organization strives to represent a truthful and equitable retelling of this history while repairing and building authentic relationships with our Indigenous neighbors in Baltimore and across Maryland. We commit to uplifting and incorporating the voices of these communities through outreach, inclusive interpretive strategies, correction and maintenance of our educational materials, and stewardship of related museum and library collections.

Since its founding in 1844, the Maryland Center for History and Culture’s mission has been to preserve and steward Maryland’s history and culture. While this mission remains true today, we realize the organization has been shaped by privilege and power. As a result, the MCHC collection and interpretation does not fully represent the diverse population of Maryland. A shared sense of place and heritage is integral to building community, and MCHC’s past practices have often been exclusive and harmful to underrepresented Marylanders.

MCHC is actively examining our shared role in systemic racism and forging a new path that is more diverse, equitable, accessible, and inclusive for all Marylanders. By assessing and developing policies and activities through a DEAI lens, MCHC will more fully realize our mission, vision, and core values of community, authenticity, dialogue, and discovery.

Our ultimate goal is to become an organization that authentically reflects the voices of all Marylanders. Most urgent is the need to further develop a staff and board that reflects the diversity of our state. With this in mind, MCHC is taking the following actions now:

These actions will serve as the foundation of our ongoing commitment to discovery and reconciliation, informed by open dialogue with our peers, members, and the many diverse communities that make up Maryland.