Author: Molly Ricks

Flatiron Buildings in Baltimore

From Sydney to Shanghai, Madrid to Macedonia, the world is full of flatiron buildings – buildings shaped like triangles, or like the old fashioned flatirons that people would heat up on the stove and then use to press their clothes. In Baltimore, we recently set out on a hunt for them. With thanks to the many people who joined us in this search, we’ve rounded up 30 flatiron buildings and counting. We’ve got flatiron houses, flatiron office buildings, flatiron theaters, flatiron banks, even a flatiron building in the shape of a ship! Check out an online map below we put together to document where they are and what they look like. And if you see we are missing a flatiron building you know about, by all means please let us know!

–Johns Hopkins, Executive Director

 

Standing Up For Baltimore City Public Schools

Question 1: Function f is defined as f(x) = x2-6x+14. What is the minimum value of f(x)?

This complicated query above was Question 1 on the Maryland math exam that Donald Trump referenced yesterday in making disparaging remarks about Baltimore City Public School students and our school system generally. Among other things, Mr. Trump said that students who failed the exam could “not [do] even the very simplest of mathematics.” (Can you solve the above math problem? We can’t.) We thought we’d highlight a few Baltimore City Public School graduates who could have solved this question. The list is of course nowhere near complete but we hope it gives a little historical perspective of one of the first public school systems founded in the United States (1829).

 

Nancy Roman

Nancy Roman – Astronomer and NASA’s first Chief of Astronomy (Western High School)

 

 

 

 

Valerie Thomas

Valerie Thomas – NASA mathematician and inventor (Western High School)

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Archibald Wheeler

John Archibald Wheeler – Theoretical physicist who Stephen Hawking called “the hero of the Black Hole story” (Baltimore City College)

 

 

 

 

Martin Rodbell

Martin Rodbell – Biochemist and 1994 winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology (Baltimore City College)

 

 

 

 

 

John Clauser

John Clauser – Physicist and winner of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics (Baltimore Polytechnic Institute)

 

 

 

 

 

–Johns Hopkins, Executive Director

Lost Your Job Recently? Join Us For a Free Tour

One thing of the many things we love about Baltimore is the way neighbors take care of each other. We want to do our part with a special offer for people who have lost their job recently. This includes federal workers, contractors and those laid off due to loss of funding. We would love to treat you to one of our Sunday morning tours! Please contact ricks@baltimoreheritage.org to register.

Announcing Our Spring Lecture Series at the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion

Join us for an exciting lecture series this spring at the historic Garrett-Jacobs Mansion, also known as the Engineers Club. One Sunday afternoon each month from March through May, join us for an in-depth talk by a subject matter expert all the while sitting in a gorgeous Gilded Age mansion. Learn more and sign up for each lecture below! And don’t forget to check out our calendar to see all of our upcoming tours and events.

–Johns Hopkins, Executive Director

 

Baltimore Mid-Century: A Talk by Jack Burkert

On March 30, join historian Jack Burkert to discover how the 1950’s made lasting changes to the way people lived, how they moved in and around the Baltimore region, and where they found employment. From the early “crisis” in absorbing returning veterans and new families, to the way those new families would seek entertainment and recreation, Baltimore would be a far different place in 1959 than it was in 1950. Automobiles and the highways they rode on took over. The “Red Scare” went local, labor strikes sparked unintended consequences while hula hoops, poodle skirts and fast food became modern trends. A decade many recall, but few realize how much of Baltimore’s 21st century had roots in the 1950’s. March 30, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm. $10-$15. Register here!

 

Below Baltimore: An Archaeology of Charm City by Adam Fracchia

Join us on April 6 to hear archaeologist Adam Fracchia discuss his work in Baltimore and his new book, Below Baltimore: An Archaeology of Charm City. Join Dr. Fracchia to explore the layers of the city’s material record from the late seventeenth century to the recent past by focusing on major themes around Baltimore’s growth into a mercantile port city, the city’s diverse immigrant populations and the history of their foodways, and the ways industries—including railroads, glass factories, sugar refineries, and breweries—structured the city’s landscape. April 6, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm. $10-$15. Register here! 

 

Sites of the Baltimore Slave Trade: A Talk by Richard Messick

Join us on May 18 to hear Baltimore researcher Richard Messick discuss the growth of the domestic slave trade in Baltimore, the various methods and locations of sale, and some of the more notorious traders in the business of selling people. After its incorporation in the late 18th century, the population of Baltimore grew very quickly along with the expansion of the new country. The market for the sale of people that grew up in the Mid-Atlantic region was also extensive. Although many of the associated buildings no longer exist, Richard Messick’s research and mapping project show the deeply interwoven relationship between the trade of human beings and our streets of Baltimore. May 18, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm. $10-$15. Register here! 

Email Your Support of Historic Conservation Districts

Later this month the Baltimore City Council will decide whether to add historic conservation district designation to the city charter. Conservation districts would give the city’s underserved historic neighborhoods a way to participate in historic designation and historic tax credit benefits, but not have all of the design restrictions of a CHAP district (a locally designated historic district). Baltimore Heritage has helped develop and supports the creation of conservation districts. Please consider sending a short email to the City Council saying you support conservation districts. The email is testimony@baltimorecity.gov. Learn more about conservation districts here.