From industrial waterfront to the city’s center of tourism and festivities, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor has seen remarkable transformations. Join us to walk the history of our waterfront and discover public art hiding in plain sight, historic ships and their ballasts used as street pavers, and the National Aquarium’s Harbor Wetlands Project for a glimpse into what the harbor looked like more than 300 years ago – and maybe what it can look like again in the future.
Step inside a working time capsule where craftsmanship, history, and ingenuity collide at Thomas Brown Woodwright. In this one-of-a-kind workshop, operating since 1991, you’ll experience the rare sight, and sound, of antique woodworking machines, some dating back nearly two centuries, still shaping wood for real-world projects today. Watch skilled artisans transform raw materials into stunning architectural elements using techniques that have all but vanished elsewhere, and discover how this small but mighty shop has helped preserve some of the region’s iconic historic buildings. Whether you’re a history buff, a maker, or just curious, this tour offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a place where they can make anything!
The story of Zion Church of the City of Baltimore is the story of the German speaking people in Baltimore dating back to the "Colonial Period," through the "Golden Age of Germans in Baltimore" into the "World War" years and finally the modern or present era. Every generation of Baltimore German-Americans is reflected in the building. Along the tour you will learn about the architecture including the unique and significant stained glass windows as well as the "new" (1912) part of the building including the church's iconic tower and "Adlersaal." We will visit the Hofmann Memorial Library and tour the picturesque walled garden, an oasis in the middle of the city. Guests will hear stories about Zion's past Pastors who led the German immigrant community during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and held it together during the two World Wars when German speakers were viewed with distrust and considered enemies. We also touch upon the role that Zion played in the history of Lutheranism in America as well as how the political and cultural life of Baltimore City shaped and was shaped by Germans living here.
Accessibility: There are some stairs going up to the Adlersaal on the second floor, but there is an elevator for anyone who needs it.
On June 11, join us for another tour of our new series, Light City Baltimore, to experience our city in the evening and in a brand new light! Beginning in the 1600s, waves of immigrants from England, Germany, and over the last 100 years Sicily, Naples and Abruzzi have defined the place along the banks of the Jones Falls that we now call Little Italy. Join Baltimore Heritage Executive Director Johns Hopkins to learn a little more about the neighborhood’s standouts like bocce ball, St. Leo’s Church, and the power-house residence of Tommy D’Alesandro and his daughter Nancy Pelosi. We’ll also hear a few colorful stories, including about gangster Al Capone’s four month stint in Charm City and our hometown hero Spiro Agnew’s fall from grace. And we’ll finish at Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry shop for a classic sweet treat. Make it a Baltimore night and grab dinner in Little Italy, then walk it off on our tour!