Awesome Baltimore History Museums
Baltimore has been called “The Monumental City” by President John Quincy Adams and “A nest of pirates” by the British Navy. Few other places have played such an important role in the shaping of this great nation. Once home to innovators and American icons like Frederick Douglass, Edgar Allan Poe, Billie Holiday and Babe Ruth, Baltimore has some of the best history museums anywhere. Here’s a few to get you started.
The birthplace of American railroading, this historic site houses the nation’s most comprehensive railroad collection. Visitors can catch a ride on a real working train, and young rail buffs will enjoy taking a spin on the merry-go-round or playing in the kid-sized train garden.
From the industrial revolution through the space age, the Baltimore Museum of Industry tells the story of Maryland innovation. Without ever leaving the walls of the museum, you can explore an 1860s-era cannery, the century-old pharmacy where Noxema was invented, a garment loft and a print shop showcasing vintage typewriters, and a large work table where children can practice the art of printing.
Brush up on your dental history at this one-of-a-kind museum. With George Washington’s ivory dentures, Queen Victoria’s personal dental instruments and a collection of toothbrushes from the 1800s, the National Museum of Dentistry is sure to put a smile on your face.
Located blocks from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, this museum offers three exhibition galleries where you can explore the Jewish-American experience, including a multi-media exhibit in the newly renovated, historic Lloyd Street Synagogue. Expansive collections of art, historical photographs, oral histories and memorabilia tell the story of Jewish history, culture and community in Maryland.
Visit the childhood home of the great Bambino, greatest to ever play the game of baseball. The Sultan of Swat used to play on the streets where Camden Yards now stands, and his birthplace is now home to an unparalleled collection of Babe Ruth memorabilia.
This living museum which is part of Maryland's Frederick Douglass Driving Tour explores the culture, creativity and contributions of Maryland African-Americans. From Benjamin Banneker and Frederick Douglas to the scientific, artistic and intellectual leaders of today and tomorrow, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum is a home to the ongoing story of Maryland’s African-American community.
This one-of-kind museum traces the African-American experience from ancient Africa to slavery to the present. The collection features more than 150 life-size wax figures, including civil rights leaders like Thurgood Marshall, Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and current day leaders such as Barack Obama. The museum also has a replica of a slave ship.
