From the Modernist Kagro Building at the corner of North and Maryland Avenues to the New Refuge Deliverance Cathedral at St. Paul and Chase Streets that has been covered in scaffolding for over a decade, Baltimore contains a number of distinct buildings that are highly visible, curiously vacant, and all but overlooked in plain sight. At this free talk and reception, architect and artist Jerome Gray will discuss his research into who built these places, who occupied them, who were supposed to be their stewards, and how these seemingly dull places actually contribute to Baltimore’s built environment.

From Guglielmo Marconi’s experiments in sending audio signals via radio waves in the 1890s to the strains of Rock and Roll coursing through teenage ears in the 1960s, and everything in between, Baltimore historian Jack Burkert explores the Golden Age of Radio in the lives of Americans, with a special focus on Baltimore. In today’s world of internet and visual media, we forget how radio transformed America with national networks, new snazzy commercial jingles, and the story of how one company came to dominate the new radio market only to suddenly exit altogether. Of course, Mr. Burkert will take a look at Baltimore’s own radio stations, some of the broadcasts they transmitted, and a few of the charming personalities involved in the radio business along the way.

In mentally gearing up for this year’s holiday season, have you ever wondered which Baltimore holiday traditions have changed over the years and which have stayed the same? Join Baltimore historian and educator Wayne R. Schaumburg for a talk on "Christmas In Old Baltimore" to get a little insight. Mr. Schaumburg will focus on some of Baltimore’s great holiday customs from the 1940s to the 1960s, including downtown shopping, visiting Santa, the Toytown Parade, firehouse train gardens, and even our favorite holiday topic to quibble over: aluminum trees. We hope you can join us!