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Welcome to the Library

Hold History in Your Hands

Dive into a book or an archival box within the vast collections at the H. Furlong Baldwin Library. Turn the pages of time and make your own discoveries about Maryland and American history using five centuries of resource material collected and preserved here.

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The H. Furlong Baldwin Library holds more than 7 million items spanning five centuries, from early colonial and Revolutionary War records to 21st century materials that encompass arts and culture, politics, and local and national issues, including the struggle for civil rights.

Our unparalleled collection of books and journals, manuscripts, maps, photographs, oral histories, ephemera, and other archival materials is one of the most extensive in the nation.

Some of our most well-known items include the Calvert Papers and Carroll Papers, documentation about social justice efforts in the McKeldin-Jackson Oral History Collection and Paul Henderson Photograph Collection, and considerable genealogical resources. The library’s collections encompass the papers of prominent political figures and Maryland families, as well as the oral history recordings of residents across MCHC’s hometown of Baltimore.

Collections

The Maryland Center for History and Culture collections include more than 350,000 objects and 7 million books and documents, ranging…

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Plan Your Visit

The Library will be closed from December 27, 2023 through December 29, 2023. We look forward to seeing you in…

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Find Materials

Search our online resources for the answers to your research questions from the comfort of your home.

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Research & Remote Services

If you can’t make it in for a visit to the H. Furlong Baldwin Library or are simply seeking further…

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Reproductions & Permissions

The Department of Imaging Services will be closed from December 16, 2023 through January 2, 2024. The goal of the…

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Item Donations

We strive to share stories of Marylanders through art, objects, and archival material at the Maryland Center of History and Culture. Community generosity helps us achieve that goal.

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Fellowships & Prizes

The Maryland Center for History and Culture is a proud supporter of ongoing academic research. Our organization offers fellowships and…

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Did you know?

Maryland history is full of exciting details and little known coincidences. New things are ready to be discovered every day!

More to Discover
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Durable athletic apparel, like this 1890s bicycling suit, was designed for both men and women during the early popularity of cycling.
Tan wool-cotton twill bicycling suit that consists of a jacket and knickerbockers.

The Library Blog

The “underbelly” blog delves into the deepest corners of the library to tell stories from the collections.

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Explore Volunteer Opportunities

Interested in history? Enjoy interacting with the public? Apply to become a volunteer docent.

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Our Latest News

Read the latest updates in the Media Center.

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