About the Historical Society
Museum and library documenting Maryland from colonial settlement through modern times. Collections include original Star-Spangled Banner manuscript, Civil War materials, and Baltimore industry.
Founded in 1844, the institution operates today as the Maryland Center for History and Culture (MCHC), inviting visitors to explore the people, places, and events that shape Maryland. Through the lens of its core values of Community, Authenticity, Dialogue, and Discovery, the Center is more than a museum and library, providing a space for discovery and a deeper understanding of the nation's history and culture as seen through Maryland. The organization is guided by a 2023-2028 Strategic Plan that positions it for the future.
Collections and Exhibitions
The Center maintains rich collections and rotating galleries that bring Maryland's story to life. Highlights and ongoing exhibitions include:
- Passion and Purpose, Claire / McCardell, and Stitched in Favor among the current exhibitions
- WayFinders, an interactive experience inviting families ages 5 and up to engage with history through their senses
- An America 250 Digital Portal connecting Maryland's story to the nation's semiquincentennial
- A collection that includes thousands of fabrication drawings, hundreds of pieces of furniture, and historic weapons
- The H. Furlong Baldwin Library, dedicated to preserving Maryland's irreplaceable historical materials, with a searchable catalog of books, periodicals, pamphlets, manuscripts, and maps, plus digital collections of paintings, photographs, and prints
Planning Your Visit
The museum and library welcome visitors and offer guided group tours for parties of 20 or fewer, generally Wednesday through Saturday. Members receive free admission, the biannual scholarly journal (the Maryland Historical Magazine has been published for more than 100 years), and discounts on event tickets and Museum Store items. For current hours, exhibition schedules, tour booking, and program details, visit the official website at mdhs.org.
Explore Maryland's Historical Landscape
Use the When It Was app to discover historical businesses, landmarks, and buildings throughout Maryland. See how your community has transformed over the decades.
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